𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣'𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙣

𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏

Saturn
• • •

When I saw my brother kissing a girl across a table, I wanted to turn and leave the restaurant.

We'd just arrived at our reservation for "McKnight" when I spotted Jupiter sitting across from a thin blonde. Was my dorky older brother on a date?

"What is it?" Calvin asked softly when I stopped in my tracks.

"My brother," I murmured, "just keep walking." It was strange because this was the very same restaurant I had been to with my brother mere months ago. Seeing him here on a date was beyond awkward. Jupiter had never been the dating type.

Just as I thought we'd escaped him, I heard Jupiter's voice. "Saturn!"

I reluctantly turned around to see him. I felt a pit of guilt in my stomach. I had been avoiding him ever since our dinner. Jupiter looked pleased to see me until he saw who I was with.

"Are you on a date?" He asked hesitantly, clutching the hand of his own Valentine.

"Are you on a date?" I replied.

"We're clearly both on dates," Jupiter said with a reluctant chuckle, "so you're with McKnight?" He glanced over at Calvin, who was hanging his coat at our booth.

"Yes," I replied bluntly.

"Be careful, Saturn," Jupiter lowered his voice, "I hear he's dangerous. A real heartbreaker."

"Calvin isn't like that," I said defensively quickly, "I should get back to him. Have a nice time, Jup."

I turned on my heel and almost walked directly into Calvin. He gripped my shoulders with warning. I turned back to my brother.

"Look who it is," Jupiter said, "I have to say, McKnight, you don't seem like the type to date my sister."

"Your sister is exactly my type," Calvin replied. I could tell he was recalling the Christmas incident when I'd shared Jupiter's true colours with him.

"Fine," my brother nodded, "have a nice night, you two. Calvin, I do hope you don't break her heart."

"I don't intend on it," Calvin said through gritted teeth.

Jupiter avoided his forceful gaze and looked at me. "See you later, Saturn."

"Bye," I mumbled. Calvin grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me over to our own booth.

"Are you alright?" Calvin asked me, taking my coat and hanging it up.

"Forget it," I said softly, "I'm fine." Calvin pulled me in for a quick kiss which I was sure Jupiter had seen. We sat on opposite ends of the booth, my back facing my brother's table.

"What do you want to eat, love?" Calvin asked, flipping through his menu. I hadn't touched mine.

"I'm not very hungry," I said softly.

Calvin reached across the table and took my hand in both of his. "Do you need to get out of here?" He asked softly. I nodded. "Let's go, then," Calvin decided.

The pit of guilt in my stomach reintroduced itself as we left the restaurant in a hurry. I couldn't bear to make eye contact with Jupiter and his obnoxiously beautiful date. When we were just outside, I stopped in my tracks. My vision was blurred with tears and the chaos of the moment.

"Saturn," Calvin murmured, pulling me beneath the bookshop's overhang. Snow cascaded to the ground around us. It was beautifully harsh.

"I'm sorry," I said softly, "I didn't mean to ruin your plans. I just can't be in there with him and you there. It's already uncomfortable between us..." I trailed off.