BANALITY : Draco Malfoy

10

We debrief, but only for a few minutes. They don't tell me about their fight and I don't ask. They do ask about Draco, but I don't have anything to share with them. At least, nothing other than the fact that he is rich and pompous. Amanda says she doesn't understand why I would bother spending any of my time with someone so rude. Ali thinks it can be sexy when men are cruel, but only in specific contexts and not necessarily on any of the occasions I'm talking about.

With my head clear, I think of him. It's unfortunate. I'd rather move on with my life. I can remember the strange moments of panic, but more so the motions of them rather than the feeling. I'm not out of my mind anymore. Maybe I am out of my mind because I would like to see him, but at least it's a different kind of sanity. It's present.

When I make it to the library on Monday after my shift, I have no reply on my job application. It doesn't surprise me, but it does suck.

When I go to leave my shift on Wednesday, Blaise is waiting in the lobby. I've already changed out of my uniform and stuffed it into an oover-the-shoulderbag.

"He's been waiting for you for a while," Graham says, at the front desk. "But first, can you help me in the back? I think I tucked two key cards into the same slot, and it'll take me an hour alone.

Our key cards don't go into slots. They do come pre-programmed, but we have them in a filing cabinet. He wants a private moment with me. I oblige, heading into the backroom with him.

"Who is that guy?" Graham asks once the door is shut behind us. "He said he knows you through a friend?"

"Correct," I turn to look at Graham. He must've gotten a better sleep last night. He looks better. Refreshed.

"Oh, sorry," Graham scratches the back of his neck, "I just figured if somebody wanted to get a hold of you then they'd come round your flat, or at least know when your shift ends instead of showing up three hours early."

While Blaise does know where I live, he might not know the address or how to get there. Although, I will admit that I am surprised to see him here. Maybe he has come to ask about Ali. While I wouldn't be the only person to say that I doubt her instincts when it comes to men, there is a chance he was intrigued on Friday.

"Sorry," I tell him. "Won't happen again."

"Jane," he sighs. He leans back against the desk in the room, and so we are almost at eye level, "if you need help, all you have to do is ask. He seems strange. I asked him if he had your number and he thought I meant your employee number, not a phone number."

"Well, I don't have a phone," I tell him.

He looks at me, then smiles, "course you don't. Don't know why I thought you would have one." Graham pulls himself off the desk and then he digs into the filing cabinet, pulling out a key card. "Well, just... I don't know. Use your judgement, I guess."

I nod. Without another word between us, we both leave the room.

When I walk out into the lobby, Graham waves out the key card, "thanks for helping me. David would've had my head in if I didn't find this before my shift ended."

"No worries," I try my best to smile.

Blaise is already standing at the door, and we walk out together. He looks less edgy than he did at the bar. He's still wearing the leather jacket, but underneath is a navy turtleneck with a thin gold chain overtop. His trousers are dressier than jeans as well. What he wears is more reminiscent of Draco than of the man I met in Vanish.