(Part 1/3)
I was tired, and the last thing I wanted to do was work.
It was still hard to believe that I was on a completely different planet.
It’s been a few months since I first arrived here, but the weirdness still has yet to subside.
I shuddered as the air kicked on. I was already living in a sweater on this planet. I don’t think I could handle being much colder.
I was sure my shift would be over soon.
I was practically the only here for the second shift. The clinic needed someone here at all times in case there is an emergency. I may not know much about the species on this planet, but I damn sure knew how to contact one of them if I really needed to.
No one else wanted to do it, and for me, it was the only job that would give me some time to myself.
I glanced down at my watch to check the time. It was still hard getting used to the different hours, but on Venus, it took years on Earth before the day even ended.
It just meant that the weather here was really… persistent. Long cold summers and unbearably freezing long winters. It was something I would have to get used to.
Honestly, I barely listened to what they were saying when I first arrived. I believe they mentioned something about terraforming Venus because this isn’t their original planet. I just wasn’t sure how or to what extent.
Fortunately, though, where I was staying had heat. Plus, I could speak to the woman two doors down from there and ask her to make me something a little warmer.
She was friendly, and she didn’t really expect much more in return for her services. That was the beauty of the Lhurs. They didn’t have the same buying and selling economy that we had.
Here people traded for the things they needed and helped others when they needed something. People on Earth are usually selfish and are too afraid to help others.
My watch made several beeping sounds before I turned it off. It was time to lock up. The night shift was over, even though it wasn’t night at all. The next wave of employees was on their way.
I waited by the front door until I saw Ahn, and I knew I could leave. She stepped through the door, and she gave me a mean look before walking past me to the back. I still didn’t quite understand the reasoning behind her hate for me. Last time I checked, I was a human that would only be on Venus for a little more than a year.
Ahn was pretty much in charge of the clinic. Her father ran it, and her grandfather was in charge of pretty much anything and everything health-related.
It was thanks to her grandfather that I even have this job in the first place. She just didn’t seem to care.
She didn’t even speak to me, and I didn’t bother trying to make friends with her anymore.
I smiled to myself as I anticipated snuggling into my bed.
It was probably irrational how much I missed the small blanket covered bed.
The family I stayed with didn’t live too far from the clinic, so my walk wasn’t that long.
Fifteen minutes to and from. No streets, no cars. It was still hard getting used to things here.
I followed a stone path towards the homes, and knew that my destination was drawing closer.
Once the small clay and stone home came into view, I felt relieved. It meant I could sleep sooner.
I didn’t hesitate to open the pale wooden door. It is never locked, so I never needed a key. I don’t think anyone here actually locked their doors.
Once I was inside, I looked around. I didn’t hear anything.
It seems like everyone headed to work already.
I sat at the small table, and I ate whatever fruit was left for me. That was courtesy of Rheana, no doubt.
She was the mother of the house, and well, she was kind and very patient. Though most Lhurs are, her son Ehloen along with Ahn, are the rare exceptions. Maybe I was just that lucky?
I shrugged off the thought as I ate. The fruit was sour, and some parts of it were sweet. It made me miss home.
I smiled lightly to myself while thinking about my mother and my sister, my father too, but it seemed like most of my memories of him were of him lecturing me on ways for me to be more like my sister. I shook my head to hopefully knock the thoughts out.
“You’re here.”
I looked up, a little startled.
Ehleon stood at the top of the stairs.
“Night shift is over,” I said before taking my empty plate to the sink to wash it.
“Is my sister home?” he asked me.
I looked back at him after drying the plate.
“I only just walked through the door,” I said, “I don’t know.”
Of course, I know I didn’t just walk through the door. Lhurs are more literal, so by the look on his face, I could see that he was bothered by my ‘Human speech.’
“I haven’t seen her,” I said, “She might have left when your parents did.”
He only nodded before he headed back down the stairs. I watched him for a minute before I headed down as well.
It was probably about time I went to sleep. I headed for the room I was staying in.
Once I was inside, I felt relief. My blankets and pillows were still there, along with all the things I was allowed to bring with me. I didn’t hesitate to lay down. My body relaxed almost instantly until I heard a light knock.
I was quick to sit up.
“Come in,” I said.
Ehleon opened the door, but stood outside of the room.
“You know why no one likes the second shift, right?” he asked me.
I made a face before shaking my head.
“It is considered rude to sleep while everyone else is awake,” he said, “And no one likes to stay awake all day and night.”
It was funny that they called after hour’s night, because it never really got dark. The weather did change, though. There were more clouds during the ‘night’ time that did cover everything in shadows.
“I am not trying to be rude,” I stated, “But I think most people will understand.”
He just gave me a dirty look before shutting the door.
I sometimes wondered if he just enjoyed being mean to me, like those boys in elementary school that would pick on the girls they liked. Though I was pretty sure Ehloen didn’t really develop crushes on girls, or anyone for that matter.
I stood up and walked out of my room to knock on his door.
I may have been tired, but the frustration from having him bother me again woke me right up.
“The door is unlocked,” he said from the other side.
I turned the knob, and I pushed the door open. I quickly had to avert my eyes.
“You wanted something?” he asked.
His pale blue skin is exposed. I couldn’t bring myself to stare at him shirtless.
“For starters,” I said, “Can you cover yourself?”
“No,” he said, “Are all humans this prude?”
“No,” I said back, “It varies from human to human.”
“Well, I don’t mind if you look.”
That was another thing I noticed about Lhurs. Not only were they patient and kind, but they weren’t ones to care if you saw them naked.
“What is it?” He asked, sounding a little frustrated.
That only bothered me.
“What is with you?” I demanded, “Why do you hate me so much?”
He just stared at me like I should know already.
“I didn’t want you here,” he said, “My sister was the one that signed up for the Exchange Program.”
Of course, I knew that already, but that didn’t mean he should be a dick about it.
“So?” I asked, “Aren’t Lhurs supposed to be kind?”
“It varies from Lhurs to Lhurs,” he said.
I had to close my eyes for a second and take in a breath to calm my nerves.
“You’re frustrated,” he said.
“Am I?” I asked, obviously irritated.
“It is just us here,” he said, “We can both relieve our stress.”
I had to look at him like he just lost his damn mind.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“To humans, I believe you refer to it as a sexual act,” he stated.
A sexual act… I was speechless.
“What?” I demanded.
He looked back to me this time with no negative emotion that he usually portrayed.
“It has been a while for me,” he said, “Has it been long for you?”
I pressed my lips tightly together so that I didn’t snap at him.
“Has it been long since I have had sex?” I asked to make sure that was what he meant.
“Yes,” he said, “It might be good for us to, what is it? Have the sex.”
I stared at him, baffled.
“You don’t just ask a girl to have sex with you.”
“We do here,” he stated.
“And what if the girl is a virgin?” I asked.
He looked confused.
This had to be a joke.
“A what?” he asked after a minute of awkward silence.
“A virgin,” I repeated.
The word didn’t register with him. It was evident by the puzzled look on his face.
“A virgin is a person that has never had sex before.”
“There is a word on Earth for that?” he asked.
“There isn’t one here for that?” I asked.
He shook his head, “Why would there be?”
“How often do people just have sex here?” I asked.
“Well,” he began, “People just have sex when they need to, for relief or for reproduction.”
It sounded like he was reading that from a textbook.
“And it isn’t weird for the girls?” I asked.
“Why would it be?” he asked.
“The first time is usually painful for a girl on Earth.”
“Why?” he asked.
Great, so now I needed to explain why most girls abstain for a while, or forever.
“The hymen,” I stated, “It is pretty much a barrier to the girls… You know.” I made hand gestures hoping that I wouldn’t have to elaborate further.
“A barrier?” he asked, “Women here don’t have that.”
I guess that makes a little since then.
“Is it that bad?” he asked.
I didn’t really want to explain to him that I was still intact. The look he was giving me meant I didn’t really have a choice.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, “I haven’t done it yet.”
He looked at me for a moment before he spoke again.
“So, you are a virgin?”
I sighed at the word, “Yes, I am a virgin.”
“There must be a way for it not to be painful,” he said.
“I wouldn’t know,” I said, clearly.
“I’m not withdrawing my offer,” he said, “I am sure we could find a way for it to be pleasurable.”
“You aren’t the first guy to try,” I said.
He looked at me again. This time, there was an accusing look in his orange eyes, “Wouldn’t that make you not a virgin if someone has tried to take you?”
I sighed, “No, because they wanted to have sex with me, but I said no.”
He nodded slowly, “Then say yes this time.”
“What makes you think I want to have sex with you?”
He shrugged, “I’m here, and I’m offering. It is up to you.”
I gave him one of those fake angry smiles, and I turned around and went back to my room.
It took me a while to finally fall asleep. The anger running through me kept me awake a lot longer than it should have.
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