They perused every section. They finally found the trousers, and just as he was about to try them on, he found a red tie with planets on it. Despite not being an accurate representation of any planet anywhere, Xeno felt a strong compulsion to buy it, if only to satisfy some subconscious desire to prove his allegiance to the Astronomy side of the party.
And besides, Jess had suggested a red tie anyway.
He showed it to Jess, willing that she'd say it was a good idea.. She gave him the thumbs-up, but she was clearly suppressing a laugh at the design. As he was going to the changing rooms to try it on, he realised that the tie was probably for children, so he'd have to tie it up slightly higher than normal.
Looking in the mirror after he had changed, Xeno saw himself fully for the first time in a while- his flat didn't have a full lengthmirror. The black shirt he was wearing complimented his jet-black hair well, and the tie contrasted his green eyes, bringing out their colour. It was nice to see that he at least looked put-together. "Looking sharp." Jess said, as he came out. "Okay, let's pay and then I have somewhere I need to go."
"Wait, where are you going?" Xeno asked.
Jess turned back towards him, a mixture of apprehension and guilt in her eyes. "I guess I can't hold out from telling you any more." She shifted uncomfortably, which would surely have been difficult in her high heels. "I'm looking for some school supplies. Drawing stuff, mainly."
"Really? Why?" He asked. She was often seen around the museum sketching in some notebook that she wouldn't let anyone see, but he hardly thought she'd need to buy a significant amount of supplies. And, anyway, why did she sound so guilty?
"I'm not going to work at the museum for much longer."
Her words hit Xeno like a bag of bricks. "What? Why?" He asked, hoping he came across less shocked than he felt.
"There's been an opening at a university. A really good one." She paused. "I'm.. going to study fashion."
"What happened to astronomy?" Xeno found it difficult to disguise the hurt in his voice. Jess' presence at both the museum and his life was one of the constants he counted on.
"It's a beautiful dream, the stars and planets. It's not like I was bad at it either, I got an honours from my uni, but.."
"But?"
"It's a beautiful dream." She reiterated, "But it's not my dream. It was my parents'."
That hit close to home for him. He remembered how difficult it had been to pursue his dream of working at the museum when his family had so desperately wanted him to stay at the bakery. "Is there no way I can convince you to stay?" He asked, trying to keep his voice from breaking.
"I've been thinking about it for a while." Jess continued, before looking back at him. "Hey, don't worry, I'll still be able to talk, There's a direct train link from Kingston to Willowheath station." There was an awkward silence before she spoke again, trying to dispel the tension. "Anyway, we're here to pick you up something nice to wear. You go and pay, and I'm going to buy school supplies."
"Jess, I just realised that I forgot to do something. I.. left my oven on at home." He replied, trying to steel his shaky voice.
"Oh, all right?" Jess said, clearly confused. "I'll.. see you on Monday?" She ventured.
"Mhm!" Xeno replied, trying to muster all of the chirpiness in his body. He drove back to his flat, listening to his Paramore CD. He'd picked up this CD from a charity shop when he was fifteen, he had no idea how it had survived for this long. Some things stick with you, leftovers from your teenage years, no matter how much you try to leave them behind.
CHAPTER FIVE:
"Please, Xeno? I'll really owe you one."
He rolled his eyes and smirked. How many "ones" did Dr. Aruda owe him already? She was asking him to tour a primary school around the Palaeontology department in a couple of minutes, one of his least favourite tasks of museum work. Giving a speech to people was no problem, it's just that touring around a group of six to ten year olds was more like herding sheep than an educational opportunity.
"I'm telling you, you have to start actually doing your own work." He stood his ground.
Aruda pretended to be offended. "Come on, Xeno, the latest episode of that soap opera came out today, I need to find out what happens to my favourite character." At his bemused expression, she realised she was fighting a losing battle. "Fine. Have it your way. Oh, by the way, I think Jess is looking for you."
His ears pricked up at the mention of his friend. He'd left so suddenly the other day, but with her leaving, he didn't know if he could face her. "On second thoughts," He began, "I wouldn't want to get in between you and that show. I'll do it."
A smile spread across Aruda's face. "Thank you so much, I'll really owe you." She paused for a moment. "Well, good luck. And be careful on those corners, I wouldn't want a repeat of the other week."
"What do you mean?"
"When you went and knocked over that poor blonde boy's trolley!"
“What?” He began, embarrassed that she'd noticed. "How do you know about that?"
"It was around the corner from my office, the clatter was so loud, I thought there was a break in. I asked him if he wanted any help, but he picked up his things and pretty much ran away from me. I hope no one's told him any rumours about me, maybe I should wear a sign that says I don't bite." She laughed at her own joke.
