Zodiac University

Taurus didn’t see Virgo for the rest of the day. He figured Virgo was avoiding him because he’d memorized his schedule and didn’t see him in class. (Virgo in fact had been there, but with his new resolve of always being one step ahead of Taurus, he’d managed to slip away before getting discovered.)

“Maybe he went home?” Leo questioned after the school day had ended for most.

Taurus lit a cigarette and blew out a smoke ring. The sun was setting and it was close to 5 pm.

Leo stretched his hands above his head. “Come to think of it, we didn’t see Cancer, either.”

“That bitch,” Taurus said bitterly. “I bet she went crying to some poor sap for help. That, or she’s hiding in her room.”

“Well,” Leo said. “What should we do now, Boss?”

Taurus paused. He could go home and see what else on Virgo his agents had found. Or…or…

“I’m hungry,” Taurus announced, throwing his cigarette down and stomping it out. “Let’s go to that bakery.”

“Huh? Which—ohhh, you mean that bakery.” An evil grin morphed onto Leo’s face. “You think Virgo has a shift today?”

“He better.” Taurus was in a bit of a mood from a day of failed Virgo searches and wanted to see his teared-up face. Pleasure coursed through his veins as he remembered Virgo, holding back tears as he ran away.

Patience, Taurus told himself. There’ll be more of that.

*

Virgo hummed to himself as he readjusted his apron and wiped down tables. It was a slow day at the bakery, but he enjoyed having a bit of a break. The few customers that were there were busy drinking coffee and indulging in sweet treats.

“You’re sure working hard.” Virgo looked up and saw Bethany watching him, arms crossed and a gentle smile on her face.

Virgo smiled back. “As hard as I always work.”

“But as a college student, you need to be focusing on your studies,” Bethany said. “I wouldn’t mind if you took a bit of a break from the shop.”

Virgo laughed. “I’m fine, Boss. Really. My studies are the least of my problems, actually.”

“Oh?” Bethany picked up a broom and began sweeping behind the counter. “You have something you’re dealing with?”

“Um…” Virgo hesitated. He didn’t want to tell his more-of-a-mother-than-his-actual-mother of a boss that the people she mistook as his friends were actually his enemies and the source of his earlier distress.

“Nah, not really,” he ended up saying.

Bethany clicked her tongue in a you-can’t-fool-me manner but didn’t question him any further. Virgo sighed and wiped his forehead as he looked over the tables. They all sparkled with cleanliness. Virgo grinned—he loved when everything was orderly and clean.

“Take your 10-minute break,” Bethany instructed as Virgo set the cleaning kit down.

“I can keep going,” Virgo said.

“It’s almost time for you to clock out and you haven’t taken it yet. I want you to rest,” Bethany said in her firm voice. Virgo didn’t argue any further and hung up his apron. He headed to the break room and pulled out his phone, checking his notifications.

Cancer had texted him. Most of it was emojis but she was also rambling about what her boyfriend, Pisces, had said. I guess this is something friends tell each other, Virgo thought happily. He started to respond to her messages.

Cancer: Hi Virgo!! 💖💖

Cancer: Wyd 😙

Cancer: My boyfriend just texted me! He’s going to be in town this weekend!!

Cancer: 😄😄

Cancer: We should all hang out! Capricorn too!

Cancer: My boyfriend is really nice

Cancer: 😙😍

Virgo: Hi Cancer. Sorry, was at work

Cancer immediately responded.

Cancer: Ooh you have a job?? Where do you work?

Cancer: I need to get a job 😹

Virgo: It’s a small bakery in the middle of town

Cancer: Do they have cupcakes? 🧁

Virgo: You know it. We got cupcakes, cakes, pies, brownies, bars, cookies, etc

Cancer: I’m so hungry!!!

Virgo: You should come by some time

Cancer: I will!! Enjoy your work! 😍

Virgo couldn’t help but smile. Cancer was adorable.

He was about to reply ‘thanks’, when suddenly there was a loud clatter and a commotion coming from outside the breakroom. Virgo leaped to his feet and peeked around the corner.

His heart dropped when he saw Leo, Leo of all people, grabbing Bethany by her collar and shaking her like a ragdoll. The guests in the bakery were watching and murmuring anxiously.

“Don’t play dumb with me! He’s back there, isn’t he?! My boss wants to see him!” Leo yelled.

“I-I don’t understand!” Bethany coughed, trying desperately to remove Leo’s hands from her shirt. “I thought you were Virgo’s friends!”

“Is that what he told you?” came a pleased tone. Virgo felt shivers run down his spine as he realized Taurus was standing, arms crossed and mouth twisted up in a smug grin, a few feet behind Leo.

“I-I knew it!” Bethany stuttered. “You won’t get any more information out of me!”

“Not if I threaten to harm your granddaughter?”

Bethany stopped struggling and her face paled. “H-how did you know I have…?”

Taurus smirked. “It was all too easy to get my hands on your information.”

“W-who are you people?” Bethany cried. “Leave my Angela alone!”

“I suppose I could,” Taurus said wickedly. “But then I’d just go after your son. Micheal, right? He lives on 202 Birdwind Street?”

“STOP!” Bethany was starting to tear up and Taurus’s grin widened even more. “Leave my family alone!”

“Then tell us where Virgo is! We can’t find his address and my Boss isn’t going to ask twice!” Leo released his grip on Bethany’s collar and the woman went flying against the counter, grunting as her hip made contact. Virgo couldn’t watch any longer.

“Boss!!”

Leo and Taurus froze and then smiled at each other as Virgo emerged from the back room and caught Bethany before she hit the floor.

“Well, well,” Taurus said. “Look what the cat dragged in.” He turned to Leo, who started cracking his knuckles. The remaining guests screamed and ran outside.

“They’ll tell everyone about this place,” Taurus said, that same evil smirk on his face. “They’ll tell people how a fight broke out there. Nobody’ll want to eat here. Your little job will be ruined.”

“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?!” Virgo screeched. He knew he was supposed to keep cool and collected, but seeing Taurus threaten his boss sparked a whole new rage in him. “WHY DO YOU KEEP DRAGGING INNOCENT PEOPLE INTO YOUR FUCKED UP REALITY?!”

“Virgo,” Bethany said. Virgo immediately stopped yelling and looked at her, worriedly.

“Boss! You okay?!” He helped the older woman to her feet. Bethany groaned as her hip made a popping sound. Virgo winced. That didn’t sound good.

“I…I think I need to go to the hospital,” Bethany admitted. “But, Virgo…” She looked at him wearily. “These…people…what do they have to do with you?”

“They’re my classmates,” Virgo said firmly. “And nothing more.”

“Ho?” Taurus chuckled. “You still only call me your ‘classmate’? I think our encounters have done away with that title. Especially after that kiss.”

Virgo felt his cheeks darken and looked away. Bethany groaned again and he slung one of her arms around his shoulder.

“I’ll call an ambulance,” he said, cautiously walking away from Taurus and Leo. Taurus gritted his teeth and watched. He didn’t like Virgo ignoring him.

“For now, get some rest in the break room,” Virgo said. He led Bethany into the breakroom and positioned her carefully on the couch before going back out and staring at Taurus with eyes full of fury. Taurus grinned. This was more like it.

“You…” Virgo said coldly. “Outside. Now.”

“We’re doing this again?”

“Shut the fuck up and follow me.” Virgo shoved past Leo and stormed out of the bakery. Taurus licked his lips and followed. Leo trailed after him but Taurus put up a hand to stop him.

“No,” Taurus said. “This is something between me and him.”