Page 36 of Zodiac Hybrids

The City of Graves offered a pretty comprehensive bus system, which I found myself incredibly grateful for as I headed into town to find myself a swimsuit. I knew I could just buy one at the resort, but they’d probably be expensive, and I didn’t want to risk them not having a style or size I was happy with.

This time of year, the only swimsuits available were last year’s clearance designs, being too soon for the summer and too late for new inventory to be stocked. I didn’t care about being up to date on the latest trends, but I wasn’t super stoked on my options. The only suits on the rack included a plain black string bikini that was more revealing than I wanted, a tropical two piece with a tankini that was three sizes too small, or one of the ugliest patterns I’d ever had the displeasure to lay eyes on in the form of what would otherwise be a halfway decent one-piece.

I picked up the string bikini and held it up to my hips. At least the ties made it adjustable enough that I could for sure make it fit. So… there’s that.

I glanced at the one piece again, thinking how much more flattering the shape and fabric would be, but I couldn’t look past the god awful pattern that never should have made it into a retail store.

Well, at least the bikini was on sale for 90% off. Which was good, because it was also 90% revealing, and if I had to pay more than $3 a piece for such a small scrap of material, I would have felt swindled.

I brought my suit to the checkout counter and pulled out my wallet. Mom and Dad had given me an allowance that was just enough to cover food and school supplies, but I was going to have to find a part time job if I wanted much else.

Maybe this place was hiring. I could use a discount on clothes.

“Is that all, Human Lila?” A familiar voice brought my attention to the cashier, who was looking at me with amusement behind his black rimmed glasses. Ceto was folding my new swimsuit neatly in tissue paper before placing it in a little paper bag.

“Somehow I never would have pegged you for someone who would work at a clothing store.” I uttered dumbfounded.

“Oh, I don’t. I was just standing back here so I could pocket you’re $6.56, while subtly leading you down a path of accidental petty theft.” His voice was completely deadpan, to the point it almost sounded probable.

“Sorry, that was a stupid comment.” I laughed it off while nervously rubbing the back of my neck.

“This is a cute two piece though. I’m sure it’ll look great on you.” He made sure I didn’t get out of this shopping trip without blushing. “So what’s with the swimsuit in February?”

“Club fieldtrip.” I accepted the bag and tucked my wallet back into my pocket. “I’m in the Astrology Club, and we’re going to hot springs this weekend for some star gazing tomorrow.”

“On the night of a full moon?” He did that thing where he was able to raise only one eyebrow. “That’s bold.”

“That’s what I said.” I motioned with my hands in exasperation.

“How bad are the full moons for you? Do you usually spend them in an enchanted chamber?” Ceto always spoke to me as if I should know what he was talking about, and it was exasperating that I very much didn’t, even if it was nice to have someone assume competence before they assumed I didn’t know anything.

But he was still wrong, and I didn’t understand why I had to keep explaining this.

“What? No. Nothing happens to me.” Because I’m human, Jesus fucking Christ. “But some of the other guys on the field trip aren’t , so… I feel like it’s an unnecessary risk, you know?”

Ceto tilted his head to the side with curiosity. “To whom? Not even a half breed seeks humans when they’re on a lunar high. A werewolf might, but you already said you aren’t dealing with werewolves.”

“This one does.” I spoke under my breath at a volume he wouldn’t hear. The frankness with which he discussed these things with me was still throwing me off. “How could it not be risky when you’re surrounded by monsters when you have no magical powers of your own?” I pursed me lips when that made him laugh. “Why are you so open about this anyway? Aren’t you guys supposed to be secretive about your existence around people? Or is that just a personal thing that only some of you guys do?”

“No, that rule is widespread and surprisingly regulated.” He shrugged, and I remained confused.

“So then why are you talking to me about it? I never would have known you were… uh…” I waited for him to tell me what he was, and instead, he just smiled, waiting for me to finish my point. We stood in awkward silence for long enough for me to accept that, while he was forthright about his not being human, he wasn’t about the specifics. So I tried to push the conversation along another way. “I just think it’s weird that you keep calling me ‘Human Lila’ like it’s an inside joke I should get.”

“Because it is.” Ceto was the most deadpan person I’d ever met, and I couldn’t figure out what was a joke and what was serious and what was sarcasm. His expressions seemed to be either contrary to his tone or completely void of any emotion, and I was lost. I knew I wasn’t the most socially adept person in the world, but this was too much.

“R-right. Well…”

Our awkward silence resumed for several moments, so I just accepted that these were the hills we were dying on today. I would know if I wasn’t human, and I wanted to get that through his head, but it seemed pointless.

When I couldn’t bear it another minute of staring blankly at each other, he broke the tension. “How long have you been living in Graves?”

“Coming up on a month.” I was thankful for the subject change.

He tilted his head slightly to the side, and that silky black hair moved with him. “Do you need a job?”

Why did it feel like everyone could read my mind around here? “How did you guess?”

“Not a guess. Just wishful thinking.” That cordial smile sucked me right in. “We’re hiring if you’re interested. I know the owners quite well, and I’d like to have someone interesting to work with.”