It was pouring outside with mist rising from the snow in clouds of steam. The trees on the other side of the glass seemed to blur together creating what seemed to be one giant paintbrush against the blank canvas that was the white sky. It was peaceful just like the rest of the store was.
Melody couldn’t help but gaze outside as the clock on the wall ticked more and more. Eight hours. One eight hour shift and she could go home. If she was lucky no one would show up. It was a gloomy day afterall. The mix of snow and ice creating a dangerous path from the parking lot the the storefront. She had barely made it to the railing of the front steps without falling on her face. At least she was going to get paid. Not that minimum wage was really worth it. Such a shame that you actually needed money to survive.
The bell over the door rang. A tall girl sliding in like she was on roller skates with two iced coffees in her hands. Her silver hair tied up in a messy ponytail.
“I bring coffee” She said triumphantly before slamming the two drinks onto the desk.
“Ah yes feeding into my addiction are we?” Melody wrapped her hands around the cold drink. Some people would joke that drinking iced coffee on a day like this was terrible but Melody wouldn’t have it any other way. “You shouldn’t be here, I’ll get fired.” Melody said as she tried to hide the smirk on her face. Her mind meanwhile begged her to stay.
“Hmmm maybe I’m buying something,” Lane picked up a ball of yarn from a metal cage in the center of one of the small shelve spaces. “How hard would you say it would be for me to pick up knitting?” Lane asked. Leaning in over the desk their noses inches from touching. She always had a little bit of glitter in her eyes. A fire almost, that can burn out so quickly.
Melody blushed stepping back to take another sip of her drink. Was she imagining things? Right now? The thoughts only made the rest of her body burn a little brighter. Keep this up and she was going to melt the ice in her drink. How many times does she have to tell herself it isn’t worth it? Oh god, leave it to Melody to tell the girl she likes that she really loves her right before she leaves. The thought alone of embarrassing herself made her want to throw up. She kept her lips to the straw sipping a quarter of her coffee in seconds.
“Stop you’ll get a headache if you do that,” Lane laughed reaching over as if to snatch the coffee from Melody’s hands. Melody flashed a glare well Lane feigned a look of disappointment.
“Coffee doesn’t do that,” Melody said.
“Yes- it does,”
“No-,”
“Suit yourself,” Lane said putting down her coffee before hopping up to sit on the counter. Her chipped pastel purple nails tapping on the wood. Lane was going to leave or California once the summer was over. Sure they still had the school year together but the two of them had been far to busy. Well at least too busy for Melody to try and figure out why she liked Lane so much. Too busy for her anxious heart to confess feelings let alone truly understand them. Plus this friendship was too good to pass up. It did involve coffee after all.
“You free for pizza tomorrow afternoon with Katie?” Melody asked.
“Can’t I got volleyball practice”
“Oh Okay,” Melody was blushing again. She couldn’t help but think of what it would be like to be there at one her games. Cheering her on like in one of the sports movies when the main character runs to the sidelines after winning to kiss their partner. She thought about how all the boyfriends sit in the bleachers holding up their cute signs. How two years ago a senior prom-posed holding one of those signs. Prom was another story within itself.
“Well enjoy your coffee, I have to go,” Lane jumped off, taking the time to dramatically dunk the ball of yarn back into the basket with the others. Melody rolled her eyes. “Love you,” Lane waved the bell of the front door ringing.
Melody barely had enough time to quickly chime in a “I love you too,” back before the door shut. The door shaking a little with the wind from the outside. Lane was cute. Absolutely adorable and strong. Melody couldn’t help but see her as the perfect partner in crime. Lane took Melody’s heart and made it a tangled mess. I’m not going to make promises I can’t keep. The voice in the back of her head mumbled to itself. Melody sighed before returning to her work. Back to a boring job and a slightly more bland day.
About the Creator
Illusive
I like to write for fun and I am gonna be posting short stories and old excerpts on here! I would really love if you would give my stories a read!
Asia Shares Rise on AI Optimism as Receding Fed Rate-Cut Bets Lift the Dollar
Asian stock markets moved higher as optimism around artificial intelligence (AI) continued to energize investors, helping offset concerns about global monetary tightening. At the same time, the U.S. dollar strengthened after expectations for aggressive interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve began to fade, reshaping global currency and equity dynamics. The contrasting forces — enthusiasm for technological growth versus tighter financial conditions — highlight how markets are navigating a complex and rapidly evolving economic landscape. AI Optimism Drives Asian Equity Gains Across major Asian markets, investor sentiment received a boost from renewed confidence in artificial intelligence and related technologies. Shares of technology firms, chipmakers, and data infrastructure companies led gains, reflecting expectations that AI-driven growth could remain resilient even as borrowing costs stay higher for longer. In Japan, technology-heavy stocks benefited from global demand for advanced semiconductors and AI-related hardware. South Korea’s market also saw gains, particularly among companies linked to memory chips and electronics manufacturing, sectors viewed as critical to the expansion of AI systems worldwide. China’s markets showed more cautious optimism. While economic recovery remains uneven, AI-focused companies and firms tied to digital innovation helped support broader indices, signaling that investors are selectively betting on future growth areas rather than the overall economy. Why Artificial Intelligence Is Lifting Markets AI has emerged as one of the strongest narratives driving global markets over the past year. Investors see artificial intelligence not just as a technological breakthrough, but as a structural shift capable of boosting productivity, corporate profits, and long-term economic growth. From cloud computing and data centers to robotics and automation, AI’s reach spans multiple industries. For Asia — home to major semiconductor producers, electronics manufacturers, and software developers — the potential upside is particularly significant. Market participants believe that AI investment could help cushion the impact of slower growth elsewhere, providing a rare source of optimism at a time when many economies face inflationary pressures and tighter financial conditions. The Dollar Strengthens as Fed Rate-Cut Bets Fade While equities climbed, currency markets told a different story. The U.S. dollar strengthened against most major currencies after investors reassessed expectations for Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts. Recent economic data from the United States suggested that inflation remains sticky and the labor market resilient, reducing the urgency for the Fed to ease policy aggressively. As expectations for early and deep rate cuts receded, U.S. Treasury yields edged higher, making dollar-denominated assets more attractive to global investors. This shift lifted the dollar and put pressure on Asian currencies, including the yen and the yuan. For global markets, a stronger dollar often creates mixed effects — supporting capital inflows into the U.S. while tightening financial conditions elsewhere. How Dollar Strength Impacts Asian Markets A rising dollar presents both challenges and opportunities for Asia. On the negative side, a stronger dollar can: Increase the cost of dollar-denominated debt Put pressure on local currencies Make imports more expensive For emerging markets, this can tighten liquidity and reduce risk appetite. However, export-oriented economies may benefit. A weaker local currency can make Asian exports more competitive in global markets, supporting corporate earnings in manufacturing and technology sectors. This dynamic helps explain why Asian shares were able to rise even as the dollar strengthened — particularly in economies with strong export bases. Investors Balance Growth and Policy Risks The current market environment reflects a delicate balancing act. On one hand, AI optimism is encouraging investors to take on risk, especially in sectors linked to innovation and future growth. On the other, higher-for-longer interest rates in the U.S. are forcing markets to remain cautious. Investors are increasingly selective, favoring companies with strong balance sheets, clear growth strategies, and exposure to structural trends like AI. Speculative assets, meanwhile, face greater scrutiny in a world where cheap money is no longer guaranteed. This selective optimism suggests that markets are not ignoring risks — they are simply prioritizing opportunity where they see long-term value. China’s Role in the Market Equation China remains a key variable for Asian markets. While AI-related optimism has lifted certain sectors, concerns persist over China’s property market, consumer confidence, and regulatory environment. Investors are watching closely to see whether policymakers introduce additional stimulus to support growth. For now, China’s technology sector offers pockets of opportunity, particularly in areas aligned with government priorities such as advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure. However, broader market gains remain constrained by economic uncertainty. What This Means for Global Investors The combination of rising Asian shares and a strengthening dollar sends an important signal: markets are adjusting, not retreating. Rather than pricing in a sharp economic slowdown, investors appear to be preparing for a world where: Interest rates remain elevated Growth is uneven but not collapsing Innovation continues to drive select sectors AI has become a central theme that cuts across regions, helping to unify market sentiment even as monetary policy diverges. Risks Still Lurking Beneath the Surface Despite recent gains, risks remain. Geopolitical tensions, fragile supply chains, and uncertainty around central bank policy could quickly disrupt market momentum. A stronger dollar could also weigh more heavily on emerging markets if financial conditions tighten further. Additionally, some analysts warn that AI enthusiasm could become overheated if expectations outpace actual earnings growth — a reminder of past technology-driven market cycles. For now, however, optimism appears measured rather than euphoric. Final Thoughts Asian shares rising on AI optimism, even as receding Fed rate-cut bets lift the dollar, captures the complexity of today’s global markets. Investors are navigating competing forces — innovation-driven growth on one side and restrictive monetary policy on the other. The result is a market environment defined not by blanket risk-taking or fear, but by selective confidence. As long as AI continues to deliver tangible economic value and global growth avoids a sharp downturn, markets may find room to advance — even in a world where interest rates stay higher for longer.
By Muhammad Hassanabout 11 hours ago in Humans
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