𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣'𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙣

𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏

Calvin
• • •

Saturn was the planet of wisdom. Saturn was also an ambitious young student at Kenton university. Saturn sat alone in the library, buried in thought. Saturn was beautiful.

When her eyes met mine, it brought butterflies to my stomach. What an odd sensation.

"What are you doing here?"

That was not the greeting I had hoped for upon approaching Saturn, but perhaps it was the one that I deserved.

"Good afternoon to you as well," I said smoothly, "are you revising for the Lit exam?"

"Yes," Saturn responded, "is that why you're here as well?"

"No," I said, "I was just on a walk when I saw you in here all alone."

I was looking for you, Saturn.

"I enjoy being alone," she said softly, a suggestion for me to see myself out.

"As do I," I replied, "but I'm afraid I cannot leave you alone quite yet."

Saturn looked puzzled. "Why not?"

"Have you forgotten my request for you to come to the shop?" I reminded her.

She shrugged. "I've been busy."

"Too busy to come into work?" I asked, unimpressed with her priorities. I wanted her to come when I called her.

"Yes," Saturn said pointedly, "I worked extra last night with you, didn't I?"

I grimaced at her attitude. "I'll remove your shift tomorrow if you come in today instead," I decided, "come on, we can revise later."

"Fine," Saturn agreed. I was rather unimpressed by her lack of enthusiasm. Was she really so upset about waking up in my bed? Would she prefer it if I had disturbed her sleep and told her to leave my room?

Saturn sat at the opposite end of the bus. I worried that if I moved to a seat closer to hers, she might get up and move even further away. I couldn't determine the root of her frustration against me, but I would let her be. After all, I treated her in such a way almost all the time.

I didn't really have much work for Saturn to do, nothing I couldn't do alone at least. But having company was nice, and Saturn's company was the nicest. When I put her to work combining our folders from the previous night, I stayed to watch her. I could tell she was rushing through the process, trying to get away from me as quickly as possible.

"Why the hurry?" I asked. Saturn jumped slightly. Had she not known I had stayed here with her?

"I have studying to do," she said firmly, "I'm behind. I need to get home."

I thought for a moment. How could I turn this situation into one that benefitted us both? "I'm likely more behind than you are," I told her, "I haven't even opened King Lear." I had never been fond of Shakespeare.

"Hm," Saturn mumbled. Why was she being so passive?

"Do you think you might be able to help me catch up?" I suggested, moving into her direct line of vision. Forced to look at me, she gazed into my eyes.

"Sure," she agreed, "you can come to my dorm later." So she was afraid of my room.

"Perfect," I murmured. I left her alone. Moments later, she left without acknowledging me. I supposed I deserved this behaviour from her, but that didn't make it feel any less defeating.

Saturn was tough to crack. If I knew one thing, it was that I would have to try much harder if I wanted to make her mine.