Endless hallway, a dress, and Alex’s coffee mystery

Endless hallway, a dress, and Alex’s coffee mystery

I woke up late for work and rushed out of the apartment, half‑asleep, only to realize I was wearing a dress I hadn't bought yet—one my sister had tried on last week. On the subway, the doors opened onto a hallway that stretched forever, and at the far end I saw my high‑school crush, Alex, standing by a vending machine, holding a coffee like he always did. He looked up, smiled, and asked if I'd seen his lost phone. I tried to tell him I hadn't, but the words got tangled and I could only say "maybe". He laughed, and we started walking together down the endless hallway, passing familiar storefronts that kept changing colors. When we reached the end, the hallway opened onto the office lobby I work in, but everyone was wearing formal gowns. Alex turned to me, his eyes suddenly intense, and said, "You look amazing," before the lights flickered and I woke up, heart still racing and wondering why I felt both embarrassed and oddly hopeful.