Hesitation ( Tag: Milan )

[Benton Barrett]

It’s not kidnapping.

That was the line he had to keep telling himself, to make sure that he didn’t go absolutely crazy. Milan had been nothing but friendly, but when the day ended, the man was still taking him away from his family. A part of him was glad for the opportunity to learn to control this, but the other part of him…? Well, frankly, he didn’t want to go to boarding school. His family and friends were too far away, and there was no links for him to cling to at the school.

Nothing to make him feel safe, or at home.

But – that wasn’t the point. The point was to learn, and he had to remember that. That didn’t mean that as they passed through the gate, he didn’t hesitate. In the pocket of his hoodie, the chilled boy ran fingers over his phone. No, he wasn’t being held captive, he could call home ( and would, as soon as he was situated ) and be fine.

Adjusting the shoulder strap on his bag, he changed sides, so that the dull ache that had been developing in his shoulderblade would go away. His red hoodie – a favorite, for him – went down a little bit past his waist. It was too big, and made him look a little awkward, but he didn’t mind. It blocked the view of the top of his black jeans, which were belted precariously on his hips.

“So… this… is a pretty big place.” He said, hesitantly, to his escort, looking up at him with only a hint of skepticism in his gaze. It would be the perfect cover for it to be some sort of underground lab facility where they cut kids up into bits to figure out what made them tick.

No, he hadn’t been imagining all the ways this could go wrong on the plane ride over.

“I’ve never been to a boarding school before. Hell, I—“ He paused, because, he always forgot himself around strangers. “I mean, heck, I’ve never left the state before. So this whole trip is bound to be an amazing adventure. Where nothing will ever go wrong, and I probably won’t be a guinea pig. I mean, not that you would walk me in to a place that would make me in to a guinea pig, right? I mean, I trust you. You’ve been nothing but nice.” He bit his lip, and took a deep breath. Normally, Benny wasn’t that ramble-y. He was usually a rather cool individual. But he was a ball of nerves right now, and no one could really blame him.

Or should. He could eat them.

“Sorry. I’m a bit… antsy.” Yeah, that was a good word for it. Rubbing the back of his neck, he remained quiet, waiting for the man to reclaim control of the situation and lead him forward. Recruitment, indeed.

[Deleted]

Milan had done enough recruitments so far to know that Benton’s silence was a very normal reaction. The recruiter kept quiet as well, mainly because he wanted to give the boy some time to come to terms with the current situation. Conversing could probably cause more tension. It was why he opted to not speak until Benny took the first word. Of course they had talked before, but it had mostly been in a professional sense. Once the student grew used to the idea, there would be less tension while discussing it.

Eventually words came from Benny and a friendly smile graced the man’s lips as blue optics drifted down – then back to Hammel. “Yeah, it is. You might get lost the first couple of days, but eventually you’ll figure out where to go.” With a small shrug, he took another peek at his recruited student. Stupidly enough it only now dawned upon him that the bag might be quite heavy, especially if carried for such length of time. Milan was quick to react upon realizing this. He reached over to the bag, plucking the strap off of Benny’s shoulder. “Here, let me carry that.” Milan hoped the kid wouldn’t mind or would grow defensive over his belongings. That was the last of his intentions.

When Benton continued, the dark-haired male had to suppress some laughter. A guinea pig, really? What gave him that idea. He let him ramble though, aware that there would be no point in interrupting him. Benny needed a moment to vent his nervousness. When the boy finally seemed to grow more calm, Milan reacted. “It will be an amazing adventure all right. And no worries. You’ll be treated with respect around here. No one is going to make you into a guinea pig. But if someone were to try at one point, even though that is highly doubtful, or whenever you need someone to talk to, you turn to me. Or your trainer, okay?”

With a soft chuckle, Milan gently nudged his elbow against the boy’s upper arm. “What gave you that idea though? I don’t look like a guinea pig, right?” The recruiter was joking now, wanting to make Benny feel more at ease now that they were entering the building. They would have to take care of a couple of stuff, but Milan promised to himself to help the boy get settled.

“So, um, you’ll get to share a dorm with three other students. There will be a common room and then separate rooms for all of you. Do you have a preference when it comes to genders?” In the meanwhile he opened up the door that led into the office area where he usually took care of his paper work.

[Benton Barrett]

Letting out a paranoid breath, he nodded. He’d get lost, but Milan was right. He’d learn pretty quickly – he wasn’t one of those navigationally impaired people ( though he was very typical in that he hated asking for directions when he WAS lost ). But what it all boiled down to, was the fact that it was so large, he wasn’t sure he’d ever feel really comfortable here. This wasn’t home – this was a school, A large school, where he’d be under surveillance, and never really leaving. That was the worst part. Homes were small and cozy. Buildings like this weren’t meant for families.

Milan reached out and took his bag, and Benny blinked – had he seen it coming, he would have probably jumped. He was training himself to avoid contact with others… but in this case, it wasn’t as though he would object to someone helping him out.

“Thanks.” He replied, keeping his voice as neutral as he could, considering he was still trying to convince himself that he wasn’t about to become the subject of some government conspiracy experiment thing.

Benny looked up at Milan uncertainly – and his words sounded sincere enough. Though to be honest… there was something about teenagers that usually meant ‘respect’ was the last thing on their mind. But that was being negative, and Benny was trying to not be negative. Maybe this place was the last safe haven for all the nice kids in the world? No one would mess with him, and they could bake a cake made out of rainbows and smiles and they’d all eat it and be happy.

She doesn’t even go here.

He shook his head, because no, Mean Girls would not help him in this situation.

“Okay. I will.” He nodded, though again, it was hesitant. “Thanks – I… I mean, I don’t really know anyone else here other than you, so it means a lot that I can come see you if I’m turned into a guinea pig.” Benny’s smile was hesitant, but there – which was better than just a few minutes ago. As to whether or not Milan looked like a guinea pig…

“Well… I dunno. It’s possible. Guinea pigs are masters of disguise, you know.” The more he spoke, the more at ease he felt. “Um – guys.” He froze. “I mean, as a preference as far as roommates go. I can’t… my mom would freak if she found out I was rooming with girls.” Yeah, that’s it. His face was entirely too red, and he was desperate to change the subject. “So what sort of classes are offered here aside from ‘how not to murder people 101?’