When they had finally left, he went back to his office, where he stayed and decided to look up things he could do that would stand him in good stead for the promotion. He found a few online courses, but nothing that anyone would really look at. However, he was broken from his thoughts by a knock at his door.
"Come in?" He asked, puzzled.
In strolled Jess, who promptly sat down beside him. While this made his blood run cold because of the events of the past couple of days, he was secretly relieved she'd come in. If there was anyone who would understand his position, it would be her.
Despite generally working alone, Xeno's office had two office chairs at his desk. He couldn't be bothered to move it out when he had moved into the office five years ago, and so it stayed there.
"I have a lot to talk to you about. First of all, are you one hundred thousand super-duper percent sure you can't work Monday morning next week?"
He sighed. Jess usually got like this when she had a problem with arranging shifts. He remained resolute in his decision.
"No, Jess. I have a meeting with Dr. Carmazan. And, anyway, isn't it against my union rights to ask me to work a shift I've already said I won't?".
Jess pouted briefly. "Fine, I'll work something out."
"By the way, Jess, I want to ask you something."
"Shoot."
"So I'm pretty sure Ms. Pepper wants me to become the new head of astronomy, but I don't think Ms. Carmazan likes me any more because of it."
"Oh yeah, Aruda told me about that, didn't you get a ten percent raise or something?" She snorted. "And I wouldn't worry about Carmazan, it's not like she "likes" anyone. I'm sure she'd fire half of us if she could." She pulled a clipboard from her bag, likely rearranging the shifts.
"Well, yeah, but she kind of berated me, and when I turned around, this.. guy was there, and I'm pretty sure he heard the whole thing."
"Who was it?"
"Oh, I don't think you'd know him, It was the same guy who I.. bumped into the other day."
"You mean you ran away after he ran you over." She replied, dryly, raising one eyebrow.
"Honestly, is there anyone who doesn't know about that?" He loved Dr. Aruda, but you could hardly trust her with a secret.
"His name's Haiden, I think." Jess replied. She smirked. "He's pretty cute, don't you agree?"
Xeno hesitated. "I don't like what you're trying to imply." He half-joked. "I'm way too busy for that kind of thing, anyway."
"Oh yeah, I have something for you." She changed the subject to avoid the awkward atmosphere that was rapidly forming. From her handbag she procured a package, encased in black wrapping paper.
"It's for your birthday." Jess said in response to his confused face. Then, realisation dawned on her. "You forgot, didn't you?" Jess sighed, rolling her eyes. "How do you forget your own birthday?"
"I'm.. sorry?" Xeno ventured. Back home, birthdays hadn't been a big thing. He tore into the packaging, pulling out a pack of glow-in the dark stars.
"They're for your flat." Jess' expression softened, instead now only looking slightly annoyed. "Honestly, you're terrible with organization, what would you do without us?"
"Thank you so much. Wait, Us?"
"Me and Mrs. Aruda. Honestly, who do you think reminded me to check that you hadn't forgotten the party?"
"The party?"
"The work party tonight!" Jess exclaimed, frustrated.
Xeno started to laugh. "I'm messing with you. How could I forget? you and Aruda have been on my case for the whole week."
"Oh, shut up." She replied. "I never know when you're joking. And, for the record, I'm not entirely convinced you were. Anyway, I'm off. I have a seminar to give in the Planetarium in ten minutes, so you should probably leave your office."
After she'd gone, he stood up and began walking out of his office and into the planetarium. He thought that the magic of the swirling galaxies was rather disrupted by the bright green "FIRE ASSEMBLY POINT" sign at the front of the stage, but what did he know about interior design, right? It had always bothered him, but he had been shut down every time he had raised it to Mrs. Pepper. She always said that it was a "Safety hazard", which he guessed was true, but why not have the sign elsewhere, not right in the middle?
