Saturn
• • •
It was a dismal Saturday when Calvin finally returned. His exterior matched the weather. Dark, dismal, with a clouded expression.
Outside of the old rounded windows of the bookshop, I watched as rain formed puddles across the stone pathway. It was a grim day, and it matched my grim state of mind. I did not have any company this afternoon. Zaire had worked the morning shift today, while I'd allowed Alice a day off after all of her training during the week.
When I saw Calvin depart the four o'clock bus, I grinned. Not only because I was happy to see him, but because I had the pleasure of watching him jog through the rain. When he reached the shop door, his dark curls were matted to his forehead. I gave him a welcoming smile. He did not bother to acknowledge my presence, but merely stormed into the backroom of the shop.
Disappointment swarmed my chest. I had finally accepted the fact that I wanted Calvin to return, but he clearly was not eager to see me. I wasn't sure what I'd expected. Perhaps a small hello at the very least. Or maybe for him to say something along the lines of, "Thank you for taking care of my shop while I abandoned you for a week." I let out a sigh, then returned to my window watching.
When Calvin emerged from the back room at last, he wore new, dry clothing. I could tell he had made an attempt to return the life to his curls, with little success. His expression had morphed from agitated to neutral, so I thought it safe to speak.
"How was your trip?" I asked softly.
Calvin looked away from me, shaking his head slightly.
"Lovely," he muttered. He paced the shelves, searching for any damage I may have caused in the past week. When he stumbled upon Alice's cart of books, he paused.
"Who's Alice?" he asked softly.
"A friend of mine," I replied. I couldn't bring myself to make his dismal mood even worse, nor did I feel like receiving a lecture after being overworked all week.
Calvin proceeded without another word. He sat down at his desk and closed his eyes for a moment. I wondered what was running through his mind. He pulled his computer closer to him, and began his work. I assumed he had plenty to catch up on.
What if Calvin really was a vampire? His eyes appeared to be sunken in slightly, with deep bags beneath them. He looked otherworldly. I wondered if I followed him home and peered through his window if I might see the coffin where he slept. Perhaps that was too stereotypical; he may have resembled the modern notion of a vampire who fed on animals and did not sleep at all.
As I watched him, he glanced up at me and met my gaze. "You may leave," he said, remaining expressionless. I nodded, then turned and left the shop.
For some warped reason, I felt disappointed. Calvin's return had been severely underwhelming. I expected him to be grateful for my dedication to the shop, at the very least. Or perhaps for him to ask me what he had missed in this week's Literature lectures. But no, Calvin was even more irritable than before his departure.
When the bus arrived at my stop, I hesitated at the exit. The clouds were as purple as Nova's eyes. I would need to run to my dorm if I wanted to escape the coming storm, but I did not. Instead, as the rain began to fall and the clouds changed from purple to black, I walked. I heard once that you get more wet running through the rain rather than walking. Whether this was true or not, I still chose the latter.
In the safety of my dorm, I shed a single tear. Was it even worth working at the shop anymore? Half the time Calvin didn't show up, and the other half of the time he was an ill-tempered, stuck-up, prick. I considered sending him a frustrated text message, but thought the better of it. I couldn't bear to move any further onto his bad side. I may not have enjoyed my job anymore, but I certainly did not wish for Calvin to fire me.
I stroked Nova's back as I pondered my next course of action. I would not subject myself to three more years of Calvin's mistreatment at the shop. I had wandered the village countless times, and the Kenton Bookshop was my only option. I refused to work in dining or service, as I tended to outspeak when experiencing confrontation. A tranquil, slow-paced bookshop was my perfect workplace. I would need to stay at the shop, but how would I get through to Calvin?
As I pulled up our previous text message chain, I grimaced. Recalling Calvin's unwelcome entrance to Mr. Brown's Literature class made my stomach turn. I would have to face him there, after what I was about to say.
I did not have time to formulate my message to Calvin before another text from Lianna came through and diverted my attention.
I'm having some people over tonight, care to join?
I thought for a moment. Lianna seemed like the popular type. I, on the other hand, was not. I had only attended one house party in high school, and never intended on doing it again. Hopefully, Lianna's gathering would be casual.
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At around nine, I began to hear noise coming from the room next to mine. I shuddered as a buried memory resurfaced. Loud music, earsplitting chatter, the cracking of cans. Being pressed into the corner of an overcrowded room, praying to disappear.
I swallowed my fear. Lianna was my friend. Any party she hosted would be better, I thought. I dressed in an outfit that was riskier than what I typically reached for, a white silk dress that revealed the majority of my skin.
After a few more deep breaths, I worked up the courage to approach the party. Pretending to be invisible, I slipped into Lianna's room.
"Saturn!"
Lianna's embrace overwhelmed me. I was suddenly immersed in a curtain of blond hair and strawberry scent. Lianna looked angelic.
"Hi," I said softly, feeling small under her natural beauty. Picking up on my unease, Lianna took my arm and led me to the safety of her bed. Her dorm was much grander than mine, complete with a living space, mini fridge, and bathroom. I felt special to be sitting on Lianna's bed with her, I expected she had other cooler friends she might rather spend the night with.
"Your brother's here," Lianna told me.
"My brother?" I asked, bewildered that he would come to a first-year party.
"Jupiter, right?" Lianna asked, "I saw him a moment ago...there."
She pointed to my brother, who lounged on the couch with a few other older boys. Wow, Lianna really was popular. Jupiter flashed me a look of surprise, then joined us by the bed.
"Saturn, I thought you'd never go to a party again after the tenth-grade disaster at Regina's cousin's house," he smirked, leaning casually against the wall.
"Lianna's my friend," I said proudly, "of course I came."
Lianna gave me a smile. "Are you not usually the party type?"
"Definitely not," Jupiter interjected, "she called me one evening in tears, begging me to come pick her up from a small high school house party."
That was back when I entrusted Jupiter with that sort of thing.
Lianna chuckled. "Luckily, this isn't high school," she said, "I think Saturn will find that Kenton parties are much more enjoyable."
"Indeed," Jupiter agreed, "it was nice seeing you, Saturn." He gave me a small salute, then returned to his friends.
Nice seeing you too, Jupiter.
I shook my brother from my mind and allowed for Liana to redirect me to a small table of familiar faces. Henri and Zaire poured shots of liquor down each other's throats, appearing to already be intoxicated.
"Saturn, how nice of you to join us," Henri grinned, "sit, both of you. Zaire's making another round." Zaire smirked, pouring shots for us all.
Just then, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Someone's arms were slung over my shoulders. I tilted my head upwards and saw the newcomer.
Alice.
"Evening, Saturn," she said brightly, "may I join in on whatever this is?"
"Of course," I said, feeling delighted to see her. Alice was like me. We didn't blend in like many Kenton girls, and that was alright. Her presence comforted me immensely.
Zaire passed us both shots, but I quickly turned mine down.
"I don't really drink..." I said softly, feeling hesitant.
"Suit yourself," Zaire shrugged.
I paused. Perhaps having a little fun couldn't hurt tonight, after being sorely disappointed by Calvin's distasteful return to Kenton. For some reason, I didn't think he would approve of me drinking. What did that matter though? He was only my boss, nothing more, nothing less. I could behave how I pleased.
"I changed my mind," I said, snatching one of the shot glasses and downing its contents.
"Woah, there," Henri chuckled.
"Saturn's celebrating tonight," Zaire mentioned, as though we'd discussed such an idea before the party.
"Ooh, what are we celebrating?" Lianna asked, pouring herself a second shot.
Zaire raised his eyebrows at me expectantly. I narrowed mine to him. What was he on about?
"Speak of the devil," Zaire said, glancing over my shoulder.
Calvin was here.