Danilo
I kept on checking my watch as I impatiently tapped my foot on the paved sidewalk. Everyone kept on honking their cars, probably wondering why I was hogging up the pick up lane. That was what it was meant to be, a simple pick up.
Not a wait up.
Now I had been waiting for fifteen minutes for my brother to finally come out of class. Other students lingered about walking out looking like pure misery but Benecio was a no show. Knowing him he was probably charming someone or goofing off with friends.
I just prayed he actually graduated next year so I could be freed from the shackles of worrying about his education. I had come up with a terrible punishment! I was punishing myself. I should have been at work now worrying about forming a team for the full and final collection for the end of this year. Now I had to be an idiot and responsible adult.
This was a complete shit show. I pulled out my phone to call him again when I suddenly felt a strange shift in the air.
I looked up thinking it was the Holy Ghost. The sweet scent of milk chocolate and vanilla flooded the air that I couldn't help but close my eyes under my sunglasses for a second. I had smelt this before. I couldn't remember where but I knew it would come back to me if I thought about it hard enough.
Was it in Pa Pedro's kitchen when he made us cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies? My stomach rumbled at the thought. I would have to go back to Texas soon. I was hallucinating. Well not in vision but in scent. I was 'Scentucinating'. They should add that word to the dictionary. I know if Pai paid enough they would.
I chuckled thinking about what a genius I was until I heard someone call out my name. 'Bucky' not Danilo of course. Bucky was nicer to shout.
My heart fluttered in hope it would be fucking Benecio but instead it was a complete different situation.
I nearly didn't recognize the boy coming towards me. Dressed in a white linen button up shirt with light blue stripes. It wasn't even a button up shirt. It had two long strings that you could tie up in a bow to keep it together. For bottoms, linen pleated beige shorts with a brown leather belt around the waist. On his feet brown leather push ins that complimented his tanned skin tone.
The large smile on his face as he waved at me had me smiling back like a fucking idiot. I knew it. I just knew it. Destiny was always like this to me. When I didn't want something to happen it always happened times ten. It had been three weeks since I had last seen him. I had been dancing around the office and making sure I only stayed upstairs until his contract was finished. He only had two weeks left and I would have never thought he would be in the same university my brother was in.
He had his backpack with him and what looked like a plastic bag full of materials. He must have been studying fashion. What in the world was he doing at the business studies faculty?
Before I could even process it he was in front of me and cutely did a little hop. "Hi," he smiled and blushed before he shyly looked down to his shoes.
"Hi Birdie," I grinned as I pushed myself up from leaning against my truck. "You clean up well."
He slightly rolled his eyes, "that's my work outfit. This is my 'I'm trying to blend in' outfit." He ran his fingers through his hair, looked away to the pond display by the entrance then smiled. "I didn't know you come to the university. Are you stalking me?"
I let out a laugh as I shook my head, "I'm too old for university. Would you like for me to stalk you?"
"I'm an only child. If I got murdered it would really hurt my parents." He slapped his forehead as he hissed. "Not that I think you're some crazed killer or anything."
"Now wouldn't that be interesting," I grinned before I ran the tip of my tongue on my bottom lip unconsciously. "To ease your concerns. I'm here to pick up my brother."
"Oh," his eyebrows rose. "You have a brother?"
I nodded, "A very shit one at best who's running late."
"Oh I'm not sure which building he's in but there's some big talk with the Dean for all business and finance students. It's for majors though us minors aren't important enough."
"I thought you'd be studying fashion?"
He nodded, "I am but I chose business management as a minor. I want to open up my own fashion house one day. At least I should know how to run it."
My smile grew liking the fact he wasn't just relying on his talent to help him get to bigger places. "You must be a smartie, Dove."
He shrugged, "I wish." His phone beeped suddenly pulling us out of whatever little bubble we were in. "Oh I have to go before I miss the bus."
"No problem. Happy studies Birdie."
He blushed then chuckled. "Bye Buggy," he attempted to walk backwards but tripped on air but luckily caught himself. He let out an airy laugh before spinning on his heels then shyly walking away. I watched him take a few steps before he spun back around to face me then quickly ran to me. "You said if we meet again you'd give me your number."
"You don't forget anything do you," I knew the universe would work against me!
He shook his head, "not when it's important." He pulled out his phone then handed it to me. I typed in my personal number because I was a man of my word then handed it back to him.
"Don't be calling me up at midnight when it's raining."
His laugh was toxic. It half sounded like he was choking and gasping for breath. "I promise I won't, Sir." Why did him calling me Sir make something in my stomach tighten? He typed something quickly before beaming at me then running to what I guessed was the nearest bus stop.
Mississippi heaven, please save me.