Life is Elsewhere; Dmitri, Chapter 1

I leaned against the counter of the bookstore. My fingers tapped an indiscernible rhythm against the wood as my mind wandered. I broke out of my reverie when Peter called out from the other side of the store.

“Dmitri! Did you finish inventory?”

“Yes! It’s on your desk!” I yelled back, before muttering, “Where I leave it each week.”

Light laughter followed my comment as Kim, my fellow employee, approached the counter. “You know he only does that to annoy you, right?”

I sighed, “It’s not one of his most endearing qualities.”

“Oh, hush. I know you don’t mean that.”

A smirk found its way to my lips. “So you think, my dear. So you think.”

“Keep that up and you won’t get your lunch,” she warned me before placing the paper bag on the counter. “Peter! Lunch!” Kim yelled.

A few moments later, Peter appeared from behind a bookshelf. “You called?” he asked with a grin on his face.

In reply, Kim reached into the bag and held a sandwich out to him. Peter took it and began to walk back to his office. Kim grabbed him by his shoulder. “Oh, no. You eat out here with us today.”

I laughed. “You sound like his mother, Kim.”

“What can I say? I have an eight year old brother. They don’t act much differently.”

“I resent that,” Peter said in reply before setting himself on the stool behind the counter.

“Of course you do,” she replied before taking a bite of her sandwich.

The rest of lunch passed in this back and forth exchange between the three of us until Peter retreated back to his office. Kim joked, “It’s like he doesn’t like us.”

“I couldn’t imagine why.” Kim laughed, and then went behind the counter to begin to organize, along with help any customer that happened to come in. I went to the back room and got the cart full of books to be shelved. For an hour we worked in silence until Kim came to find me.

“I have to go. How late are you staying tonight?”

“‘Til eight.”

“You really shouldn’t be working so late all the time. Take a break once in a while.”

I shook my head, “You know I can’t. I have to pay for the apartment. Plus school in the fall. I’m just lucky Peter lets me work this much.”

Kim smiled slightly, but her eyes were full of concern, “Just don’t burn yourself out, ‘kay?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied with a salute.

Kim shoved me playfully, “See ya later Dmitri!”

“Bye.” I returned to the row of books I had to shelve as the bell above the door rang, signaling Kim’s exit.

After a few minutes, I leaned against the bookshelf, closed my eyes, and reveled in the relative silence of the shop. I could hear the sounds of the city coming from the street, but those noises I could push to the back of my mind. It was quiet. And that’s all that mattered.

All of a sudden, somebody’s hand rested on my shoulder. I jumped, my attention rushing back to the real world. I turned to see who it was. Finn. Of course.

“You okay?” Finn asked.

“Perfect until you walked in. You almost gave me a heart attack.”

“That’s cliché, even for you.”

“Even if it’s the truth?”

“Even then.”

“Harsh.”

Finn shrugged, “Not my problem.” He pushed his dark hair out of his face, only for it to return after a moment. He sighed.

“Why don’t you just get it cut?”

“Later. So, what are you doing later?” Finn slouched against the bookshelf, looking, admittedly, like a delinquent.

“I have work ‘til eight.”

“And after?”

“Nothing. Why?” I asked with hesitation in my voice. Usually when Finn asked me what I was doing, it would lead to trouble.

“Well…there’s this thing…”

“Just spit it out.”

“Come to a party with me?”

“No.” My tone was definite, and Finn knew that. He, however, couldn’t resist trying more.

“C’mon. Please? Why not?”

“You know I don’t do parties.”

“Then think of it as a personal favor to me.”

I turned slowly, “Okay, what’s up? You’re never this insistent.”

“There’s this girl.”

I smirked, “Of course there is.”

“Shut it. Anyway, I wanna ask her to come with me.”

“So just ask her. I don’t see why I have to be dragged along.”

“She’s new in town.”

“So?”

Finn rolled his eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “So she doesn’t know anybody. I’m going to ask her to come so I can introduce her to people.”

“At least that’s what you’re going to tell her.”

“Exactly,” Finn smiled, “But I don’t want her to think it’s like a date. So if you come along, it’ll be a group!”

I laughed then shook my head, “Still not going.”

“Look, call Kim. Ask her to come too. Please? You know I wouldn’t ask you if I didn’t have to. I know how you feel about parties.”

I sighed. Finn knew how to manipulate me too easily, “Fine. But I won’t be staying long.”

A smile lit up Finn’s face. “Fantastic! The party starts at 9. So be at my apartment at like, 9:20.”

“Okay. Now go.” Finn hurried out of the store, probably off to convince that girl to come. Whatever, that wasn’t my problem. With a sigh, I pulled out my phone and dialed Kim’s number. “Hey, could you do me a favor?”