The rest of the week passed without incident, as I didn’t faint, feel sick, or have any more new dreams. Our household quickly fell into a new routine, with Casimir at its center. Since we went to the same school, he became my new traveling buddy, silently sitting next to me as we took the long train ride back and forth each day. Even when I insisted he need not wait for me, Casimir would just smile and putter about until I was done with my art club. I was flummoxed where his endless energy came from as he went to bed much later than Grandpa, but would rise early to help in the orchard each morning, even on the weekend. The most shocking part was that despite all of this work, he still managed to get all of his homework done on time, and would complete any household chores he was given as well. He also liked to cook, making more than enough food for everyone in the house throughout the week. I never saw much of him at home except for when he was cooking or at mealtimes, as he kept mostly to himself. Any free time he had was spent upstairs in his room, watching movies or reading from his small book collection. Just watching him made me feel exhausted, and a smidge jealous. Okay, I was insanely jealous.

It was the weekend, and I was relaxing on the couch, group texting with Zola and Sunita about my grumblings with Casimir’s perceived perfection.

Me: It’s just not fair, there is no way someone is this nice and can be good at so many things.

Zola: Present company excluded, of course?

Me: You know what I mean.

Zola: Oh no, he is obviously secretly a serial killer or something.

Sunita:-_-

Me: lol

“Diana.”

I lifted my head from my phone. My grandfather had come in from work and was standing at the edge of the couch, looking down at me.

“Yes, what’s going on?”

“Could you do me a favor and run to the store for some groceries?” he asked, waving a list in his hand.

I panicked as I did a quick risk assessment in my head. There was an issue I didn’t want to tell my grandfather about, and that subject involved Len, the last boy I had gone on a date with. He was the son of the local grocer and my not-quite-ex-boyfriend. After a night of sloppy kisses on his couch, he pushed for more, and I declined. I could tell he would have pushed the issue if his friends hadn't interrupted us. Afterward, Len was determined to get me to agree to a second date, and so far, I had done a really good job of avoiding him. I was hoping Len would get the hint soon before I ended up yelling at him. I knew if I told my Grandfather about it, he would just overreact, and it would cause friction in the town. I normally never had a problem shopping, but Sundays were now iffy as Len usually worked that day, so his parents could go to church. I’m sure the hesitation showed on my face because my grandfather let out an impatient sigh.

“Please, I would appreciate it.”

“Sure, Grandpa,” I conceded, sticking my hand out for the list. I glanced over the inventory of items, my lips drawing into a thin line; this would not be a quick shopping stop.

“I know it’s a long list, so you can take the truck to help you carry it back home,” Grandpa chimed in. He pulled the car keys from his pocket and dangled them enticingly.

“Awesome, thanks!” I said as I smiled up at him. Having the truck meant my trip would be much faster, and I could escape quickly as well.

“You can take Casimir with you also,” Grandpa added, turning to head back into the kitchen. “That way, he can learn where the store is.”

“I don’t want to bother him on his day off,” I grumbled, sliding my legs off the couch. As I stood up, I tucked the list and my phone in my dress pocket.

Grandfather just waved his hand dismissively at me. “I'm sure he won’t mind. Money is on the counter, love you, see you later.”

He was quickly out the back door before I could utter another word of protest. I was betting he was off to putter around the yard for the next few hours. As I stood there, I briefly wondered if he wanted Casimir to go with me to make sure I wouldn’t pass out and injure myself. I honestly couldn’t be mad at him for that.

My eyes traveled to the loft above my head, watching for any signs of life. I knew Casimir was upstairs in his room, and I wondered if he heard our conversation, as voices tended to travel through our thin walls. I gathered my nerves and made my way up the steps to the second floor, hesitating at the sliding door.

Come on, Diana, what's the worst that happens? He says ‘no’. Or do you want that? I knocked softly.

“Yes?” Casimir's voice called out.

I cracked open the door, peering inside slowly. “Hey, sorry to bug you but-” I stopped short, noticing Casimir had headphones in his ears. He pulled them out and nodded at me. “I was wondering if you would be interested in going to the grocery store?”

Casimir was sitting on the floor, his back against the edge of his bed. In his lap was a large, old-looking book. He closed it, placing it in a stack of notebooks near his side. “Sounds good, I can grab some stuff while I’m there,” he said. “Just let me change real fast.”

“You betcha,” I said, quickly sliding the door closed as I spoke. I was about to turn and head downstairs when I noticed I hadn’t shut the door entirely. Through the crack, I could see Casimir’s reflection in the mirror. I froze in my spot, hand outstretched for the handle. He had taken off his shirt and thrown it onto the bed. My eyes went straight to a large mark on his right shoulder and refused to look away. The mark was dark peach in color and looked like a pair of horns with a circle around them. It was so precise and intricate that, despite the coloring, I knew it couldn’t be an actual birthmark, more like a tattoo. The longer I stared, the more I began to second-guess myself. I knew one thing for sure: I had seen this symbol before.

My heart skipped a beat as I examined Casimir’s bare shoulders and the lines of his back. He was covered in lots of scars, and some even looked like an animal had attacked him. When he turned, I saw a large burn going from his left shoulder down into his chest, and I gasped quietly to myself.

What happened to him? I thought to myself. The longer I stared, the more I wondered if he would pose for a painting, as I found his scars fascinating. I threw my eyes down towards the floor, scolding myself internally for staring and invading Casimir’s privacy. I backed away slowly, trying not to make a sound as I inched down the stairs, a task that was next to impossible in our creaky old house. Once on the first floor, I made a mad dash for my coat and purse, trying to pretend like I wasn’t just spying on my new housemate but instead waiting patiently by the door. Casimir appeared from the staircase just as I was checking my purse for all its important contents.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said.

“It’s no big thing,” I replied, taking in Casimir’s appearance. He had added a few extra layers for the trip into town, wearing a dark blue t-shirt under a plaid shirt with his usual pair of jeans. He grabbed his military-style canvas jacket from the coat rack, shrugging it onto his shoulders in one quick movement. I realized I was staring, so I dug into my purse, pretending to check for my phone.

“Ready?” Casimir asked.

I raised the keys and smiled. “You want to drive, or me?”

“Rock, paper, scissors?” Casimir offered, looking somewhat excited, for the game or the chance to drive the truck, I wasn’t sure.

“We can flip a coin,” I joked, heading out the door and down the steps of the gazebo entrance.

Casimir made a flippant noise. “Aw, there is no skill in that.”

I laughed at him as we walked up to the side of the truck. “Okay, how about I drive there and you drive back? Sound fair?”

“Sounds great,” Casimir said, nodding. He smiled at me and I felt my heart skip a beat. I was desperately hoping Casimir didn’t notice my blushing as I fiddled with the car keys. We both climbed into my grandfather’s ancient pickup truck and headed down the road into town.

(To be Continued in Part 2)