VISION ✔️ || The Keepers of Astraela #1

6.3 || Of Friendship and Longing

EVA

THE REST OF THE DAY ticked by at such an excruciatingly slow pace that she regretted not sifting through the books when she had the chance. What should have been a typical Wednesday, with a steady stream of Bible studies in the morning and a bustle of families after school, was anything but normal. Business crept by so tediously that, at one point, Jensen placed bets on whether anyone would show up at all.

Eva won five dollars when an older gentleman stopped in for a bus schedule.

With only ringing phones, clacking computer keys, and the occasional distant siren to keep them company, the day dragged on forever.

Once the clock chimed at four, Jensen let out a groan so loud it echoed off the walls. He shifted from his slouched position for the first time in hours and clicked out of his email.

"My god, this is ridiculous." He placed his hands on his back, arching it in a gentle stretch that made his spine pop and crackle. "Did the entire town get Thanos snapped or something?"

Eva hardly heard him.

The longer their day went on, the more her racing thoughts consumed her. There was no way to rid her mind of Bobbi's video or the scene from her book. They nagged at her progressively until her surroundings faded into murky background noise—including the intermittent complaints from her coworker.

Jensen hadn't seemed to catch on. Instead, he stood from his chair and grabbed the nearest reshelving cart.

"I can't believe I'm bored enough for this," he said, "but I'm going to put these back. Need anything while I'm gone?"

Eva remained silent, lost in her imagination as she stared blankly at her screensaver. A gentle nudge hit the back of her seat, and her feet slid along the carpet before she realized Jensen was pushing her chair with his cart. He smiled at her dazed state.

"Oh, sorry," she muttered. "Just... book stuff, you know?"

Eva reached for the cup of pumpkin spice heaven he'd brought her that morning, still untouched beside her keyboard. When room-temperature liquid hit her tongue, she grimaced.

"Want me to warm that up for you?" asked Jensen. "I'll pass the break room on my way to the romance nook."

"Thanks."

As he snatched the cup with one hand and steered his cart away from their desk with the other, jingling bells brought their attention to the front door. Mrs. Singer appeared from the entryway with the heap of books she and Jade had selected almost a week prior. While she tried to balance the tower between the crook of her arm and her protruding stomach, the books wobbled unsteadily.

Jensen was at her side lightning fast, snatching the books before they could topple to the ground. Mrs. Singer passed him an appreciative smile while he set them on the circulation desk before returning to his cart.

"You don't seem very busy," said Mrs. Singer.

Eva sighed, but forced her traditional customer service smile. "It's like the whole town got up and left this afternoon. I'm surprised we haven't been sleeping on the job. No Jade today?"

"She didn't feel safe walking around town. Can't blame her after they found that poor woman this afternoon."

Her words made Eva pause before she could scan the first book. When she lifted her head, she noticed Jensen had stopped pushing his cart again.

"What do you mean?" asked Eva.

"There was another attack." Mrs. Singer swallowed hard. "A woman was mauled on Oakland Boulevard. Jade's English teacher."