Be Not Afraid

Chapter 1: They Meet

Rain drizzled softly outside, gently thrumming on the dormitory windows. The constant hum of students, parents, and staff droned on outside of the thin walls of the drab room while the blonde unpacked his small library into one of the little two-shelved bookcases. Deft fingers sorted and stacked the books, acting in nonchalance as he lifted handfuls of old and new books from a wilting cardboard box, lining them up against the crowded shelves like pigeons on a wire. Rain droned on lazily, as the afternoon storm haloed his profile with a cool light. His jaw was strong, yet his face was soft, and lashes laid long and pale against his sloping cheek.

Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter.

The boy looked at the wet window, sighed, and tucked his hair away behind his ears, though futile because two silky strands once again framed his angelic face as he stood up from his crouched position. Thankful that he had nobody in the room to shadow his every minute move, he decided to brew some coffee in his cheap $15 coffee maker he snagged from the store this morning. As he watched the machine start to brew and empty its dark, velvety contents into the carafe, he was glad nobody was barking commands or suggesting he shouldn't be drinking any caffeine so late in the day. Not that he put any stock into what they said, anyway. He wasn't a very manageable person.

He leaned against the wall, tipped his head back, and listened to the sound of brewing coffee melt into the now-louder drumming raindrops as the storm picked up against the side of the building.

'Wonderful day for moving in,' he thought to himself as his jade-green eyes scanned the dismal, cubed dorm room, taking in every bleak corner. He had only gotten there about forty-five minutes ago, but he felt out of place like a jammed thumb. This university was lively, passionate, and ordered. Kids came here bright-eyed and supported by their loving parents to do whatever it was they wanted to do. This place was full of opportunity and optimism- the gateway to all things new and adult. It was for people who dreamed of life, not those desperately trying to run from it.

"You don't belong here!" his battered, shielded heart was screaming at him. He felt the ache of suppressed emotions stir around in his chest.

There was a strange anxiousness that accompanied this almost-independence he had recently gained. This was his third year attending this university, but it was his first time staying within the school dorms- away from his dismal home life . The blonde had always been self-sufficient to a detriment, but he's never had actual independence from his "family" before. In fact- he was shocked that the horrifying old man had actually let him leave for school this year instead of being escorted to and from classes by the family's staff. The 50 minute commute was obnoxious and he was beyond appreciative to now have everything within a 10 minute walking distance, but now he was to pay a monthly visit to the ol' papa. Was having his reigns lengthened worth it? Was this genuine? We're people watching him? He could all but guarantee that his family's staff were watching him, making sure he behaved instead of running, running, running as far away as possible. Running until his lungs breathed fire and his legs ached and could no longer hold the light weight of his body.

Looking pensive, he dumped the hot liquid into a plain travel mug he recently unpacked, still heavy in thought. Was this a test of loyalty? If it was, he sure wasn't going to pass. His loyalty laid dormant with self-preservation determining his every move. Whatever his family was up to, he welcomed the momentary peace, despite knowing he'd now have to make up for an entire month's worth of familial labor in his one visitation night. He shuddered just imagining it.

His attention was snapped back to reality when the door whipped open. A shorter boy stood, a warm smile splayed across his face and large gentle, brown eyes looked in. His hair laid across his forehead and past his ears in black, wavy wisps and a pink hue tinged his cheeks, adding to his youthful look. He gazed fixedly past the dark curtain of his bangs and clutched a green bag at his hip. He was soon accompanied by an older, similar looking man with a dark mustache who struggled as he helped to carry the bulk of the six bags and suitcases.