shift || sebastian - stardew valley

Chapter Nine

"Can you hand me the milk?" I was dispirited today; I wasn't sure why. 

"You okay? What's got into you?" My sister was giving me a look, one that I knew all too well. It was in between exasperation and desperation.

"Nothing," I breathed. Last night. There's no eloquent way to describe it. I didn't feel secure.

Was it too easy? I wasn't the girl next door. I couldn't be the one that he'd come crawling to. Did he truly feel the way he said he did?

Despite my insecurities, I was so enthralled with him. Him. The shadowy hair, the gaze in his eye, the aura of him that I instantly gravitated towards. I know myself more than anyone in this damned Valley. Does he see me? I was apprehensive, trying to convince myself to not be.

"I'm going to work," My shoulders sagged as I sighed, stalking up the stairs and grabbing my black purse from my bedroom door. I pulled on my heavy winter coat over my pink sweater.

I made conversation with Gunther absentmindedly and padded into the library portion of the museum, admiring the bookshelf-lined walls and grateful for the most secluded area I was to work in today. I was thumbing through leather bound, heavy books and reorganizing them when I heard the door open and close. I didn't bother to look over. Gunther can handle whoever arrived.

"Do you have any openings?" I recognized the voice. It was Sam. I frowned; I wasn't in the mood to talk to him, nor anyone for that matter. I took a deep breath while pulling a dust-covered book off the shelf. I swiped my hand over the cover, blowing on it softly. Cracking it open, I couldn't read the text. The full book was in Dwarvish, the ancient language of the Dwarfs that once roamed these lands before we laid cobblestone and brick in place. I was a novice when it came to translations, although I've spent a few sessions with Gunther, working to practice my fluency during lunch hours. I attempted to scan the text, and I didn't mind that I couldn't comprehend. It was a distraction to the conversation Sam and Gunther were having that I was trying not to listen to. I was ready for the work day to be over.

"Hey, Ella," Sam beckoned me. My eyes peered to him, and I slowly dragged up my chin, an awkward smirk plastered on my face. I waved lamely, trying to subtly dismiss him.

 Nevertheless, Sam took his big steps towards me, wearing his usual blue and orange get-up.

"I just asked Gunther about working here," he almost looked embarrassed.

"Really?" I recognized that my voice wasn't as sincere as I had hoped. I didn't want to sound offensive. Sam's a smart guy. I just didn't pin him as a book-smart guy.

"I heard the Joja store was closing," he looked unsure, staring off at the shelves next to me.  I reached out my hand, touching his arm to try to comfort him. He seemed so sad.

"Oh, Sam. I'm sorry." I don't know much about the Joja store. It was a regular supermarket from what I could see. In this small town, though, I guess it could hold a chest full of sentimental value. Maybe Sam and Sebastian used to cause trouble in the aisles, or Jodi would take him there after his guitar lessons as a treat. Who knows?

"It's okay. It's not really helping my bank account, though. But the museum...I thought I could at least help with the upkeep," Sam's smile beamed, seeping into me and lifting my mood. Sam was one of the kindest people I've met. He's so goofy and positive, like the sun shines a ray right onto his head, and his hair is just an aftereffect of that. I'd love to work with him. He was already making me feel better, and he was completely unaware of my mood anyhow.

"That'd be great. We could hangout," I said endearingly. 

He smiled, "Yeah, I thought so, too." He rubbed his hand over his muscular arm, still embarrassed.