Lolli sat behind the counter at the music store, reading a book to distract her from the songs around her. Her eyes skimmed the words, but her fingers tapped along to the beat. Her heart formed another beat that she had to fight against. She lifted her eyes to check on the small amount of customers. It was the slowest time for the shop, so she resumed reading. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she brushed her hair out of her eyes. 
  Time seemed to slow down as she breathed in again. Nothing had actually changed for anyone else, but her throat seized with the sudden urge to join the song that had started. It was a risk working where she did, but she couldn't distance herself from music. It ran in her veins. With a few more deep breaths, she calmed herself. A man approached the counter and she quickly rung him up. Her shift would be over soon. She would be able to get away from the noise.
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  Scarlett took another call. "Hello, how can I help you today?" After a lengthy call about someone's remote not working, which turned out to be a case of missing batteries, she got up to take her lunch break. Scar hurried down the stairs to the sandwich shop outside. Her order was quick and she went to the restroom after eating. Entering the handicapped stall, she turned on the water. With the cold water running, she pulled off her gloves. Her palms glowed brightly as she forced them under the stream. She winced at the pain as steam floated out of the sink.
  After cooling her hands down, she left the restaurant to get back to work.