Death hung in the air dense as an Antarctic blizzard. Moans of the souls wandering around the veil between life and death clung to the space as they had all once clung to their last breath in the mortal realm, only to be met with the silence of a desolate wasteland. A cloaked figure herded some of the souls with her scythe much like a shepherd herding her flock. Providing guidance to the lost in the void. Suddenly a chirping sang out like a canary in the dark. The cloaked figure removed her hood and pulled a cellphone from a pouch. She unlocked the screen and a smile crawled across her face. “So it begins…” — — — — “Okay, I put it in.” “Ah, finally…” “Maybe I should pull it out.” “Don’t you dare Benimaru.” “Aaron, let go!” Aaron tossed Benimaru over his shoulder as he walked them both away from the mailbox. Benimaru wasn’t too much shorter than Aaron, but short enough and light enough to toss over his shoulder. “Hey!” Benimaru exclaimed, “Put me down, Aaron! I have to get that letter!” Benimaru struggled reaching back towards the mailbox in desperation. He was flustered as he thought, What if admissions hates my letter, sends a return letter and tells me I'm literally the worst? “Aaron, if I don’t get that letter…” Benimaru pouted. “No, no, Beni. I’m not going to let you self-destruct and get into a fight with another mail man. Just let the letter go,” Aaron squeezed Beni as he walked back to his apartment. “Well, he wouldn’t return the application to Benson,” Beni exclaimed, struggling. “I can just see the headlines now BENSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE VALEDICTORIAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING A MAIL CARRIER TO STEAL BACK HIS OWN COLLEGE APPLICATION,” Aaron moved his hand through the air for emphasis on the headline. “First of all, that’s a really long headline, and second of all, it was my letter,” Benimaru muttered. “Beni, robbing a mailman is a felony. Once it’s stamped it belongs to the postal service. Now quit struggling. You know you can’t get away from me,” Aaron reprimanded. Aaron wasn't wrong. He often had to stop Beni from running away from things or self-destructing trying to go through the mail carrier’s bag to get his applications back. His favorite way to subdue Beni was to sit on him, but Beni was wearing his favorite hoodie today. Beni gave up and went limp over Aaron’s shoulder, “If I don’t get in, I’ll have to move out of town, change my identity…” Aaron shook his head as Benimaru continued to mutter. He thought to himself, It took me three hours to finish my app and drop it in the mail. Beni has had his application done for a year. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to watch him stand in front of that mail box anxiously clutching his letter. Aaron sighed, For the life of me, and his mom for that matter… We can’t figure out why he has so little confidence in himself. He basically came out of the womb at the top of the class. “Honestly, Beni, after all this time I still don’t understand why you get so nervous about this stuff. If you can’t get into Vermillion what hope does an idiot like me have of getting in,” Aaron was waving at people they were passing on the street. “You’re not an idiot,” Benimaru struggled to turn around, “I don’t understand why you keep saying stuff like that. You’re just as smart as I am!” Beni always got frustrated with Aaron’s self-deprecating personality. You’re literally perfect. Confidence, you can basically get any girl you want, you get straight A’s too, you’re an athlete, and nothing seems to bother you... What part of that spells ‘idiot.’ I don’t get it. Meanwhile, I feel like I’m going to throw up because of this damn application. Oh, Beni… Aaron thought to himself, I’m only smart because I started following your example. Otherwise I’d be some fuck up in juvie I’m sure. You literally saved me from self-destruction and that is why I’m saving you… Aaron smirked before he flipped Beni around and started carrying him much like a groom carrying his bride over the threshold. “Aaron!” Beni shouted in surprise. Aaron just winked at him, “I’m glad you think so!” Beni covered his face. “Of course I do,” Benimaru groaned, “I didn’t think getting carried to your apartment could get any more embarrassing.” Benimaru looked around, immediately regretting his decision, “The girls from our class are taking pictures again.” There was a group of about four girls snapping photos of the two as they were making their way down the street. Somehow the “Beni and Aaron” fan club still lives strong to this day. Aaron nonchalantly replied, “Oh they are, are they?” Benimaru uncovered his face and yelled, “How could you not notice!” He cradled Beni closer and came in just shy of kissing range, “Well, let’s give them something to talk about on our Facebook fan page.” The crowd of girls grew. Some squealed in delight about the scene, others swooned. It was like being stalked by the paparazzi. Benimaru’s face felt hot as he turned and looked away. “Quit encouraging them!” I would have thought they’d take that page down once we graduated high school, Beni rolled his eyes, I understand Aaron, but why on earth am I included in this. Is this like a weird fantasy thing? It’s probably because I still kind of look like a girl. I certainly don’t look like some J-pop star, or whatever else they tell themselves when drawing fan pictures of us. Maybe if I cut my hair.... “Don’t you even think about cutting your hair because of some dumb Facebook page,” Aaron glanced down at him. Beni flinched, Not only can he toss me around like a rag doll, he can read my mind. “Anyway, we’re going to graduate from community college and move out of town. Let’s let them get their last looks before we leave.” “I’m not sure I like that look on your face right now,” Benimaru laughed nervously. Aaron posed for more pictures much to the chagrin of Beni. He turned his back looking over his shoulder and winking, Benimaru’s face in the shot as well from that angle. Benimaru covered his face. Then Aaron turned to the front pressing his cheek against Benkmaru’s. “Why are you enjoying this?” Benimaru grimaced. Aaron glanced down at the pouting Ben and a devious idea crossed his mind. Aaron pretended to almost drop Beni causing Beni to instinctively wrap his arms around Aaron’s shoulders. “Aaron!” Benimaru looked backwards at the ground in horror. Aaron roared with laughter, “You always do that! You should know I’d never let you fall.” He smirked, “I think you actually may like holding onto me.” Benimaru just gave up and buried his face in Aaron’s shoulder. Why does he like teasing me like this? I mean… it’s not like I’m mad… it’s just embarrassing. “You know I almost never get pictures with you otherwise,” Aaron’s tone got a little serious. Beni muttered into Aaron’s shoulder, “Yeah, because I’m not photogenic at all. Not sure why you’d want pictures with me.” Beni always did his best to avoid photos. He’s already reminded of how plain and almost feminine he looks when he looks in a mirror. Why commemorate it forever in a photo? “Beni!” Aaron lifted Benimaru’s chin up, “How can you say that?” “Oh my god… Aaron is holding Beni with one arm,” one of the girls in the crowd squealed as the furious picture taking continued. “Aaron never held me like that when we were together,” One girl pouted. “If you start getting jealous of Beni you’re going to lose your rank in our fan club,” another girl reprimanded. “I wish I could carry Beni around like that…” “I know! He’s so adorable.” Ugh… there’s that word again… “You know how Aaron…” Beni grumbled. Aaron sighed, “Oh, Beni. Despite how you may feel or think about yourself, I think you’re pretty damn adorable and so do your fans apparently…” “See! Adorable! You used the word adorable!” Beni exclaimed. “What’s wrong with being adorable?” Aaron was taken aback. “How many men do you refer to as adorable?” Beni yelled, “You know what! Don’t answer that.” “Come on Beni! You know I only mean that you’re cute— hey!” “Aaron,” Beni grabbed Aaron’s face in both hands, “for the love of god just put me back up on your shoulder.” Aaron was pouting when he murmured, “But Beni!” Beni crossed his arms shaking his head, “No buts, put me back. I am done with these shenanigans for today.” “Okay! Okay, I’ll stop teasing you, but I mean it Beni, you look good in pictures.” Aaron put Beni back over his shoulder and waved their fan club away so Beni could sulk in peace. The girls gave a collective “awe,” and dispersed. Aaron and Beni continued up the road passing the shops in this quaint little area of town leading up to Aaron’s apartment. The little boutiques and coffee shops gave it all a sophisticated feel. Aaron greeted an elderly woman as they passed her on the street, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Wilson!” “Good afternoon, Aaron and Beni. My, you boys get even more handsome by the day,” Mrs. Wilson replied. “You flatter me, Mrs. Wilson,” Aaron gave his bright and charming smile. Beni managed a, “good afternoon, Mrs. Wilson.” “I take it by the way you’re carrying Beni home, he finally put his application in the mail,” Mrs. Wilson sounded hopeful. “He sure did! Now we’re going to hole up in my apartment until the mailman leaves town,” Aaron laughed. Aaron wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice, so he and Beni are going to hole up in his apartment until the mail makes his way all the way out of town. There’s no way Beni would travel 3 hours to get a letter back, and even if he would, he’s never out of Aaron’s sight long enough to pull a stunt like that. “That’s wonderful!” Mrs. Wilson clapped her hands together, “And how is your sister doing Beni?” “She’s mostly been working, but she drops by every once in a while,” Beni tried to look as proper as one could draped over someone else’s shoulder. “That girl works so much. I hope she takes the time to smell the flowers,” Mrs. Wilson asked. “Oh, she definitely finds time to smell the flowers. I’m not sure where she finds it though,” Beni shook his head. “Oh, my. Tell her I said hello when you see her… You boys have a good time! I must be off to the market, and Beni, don’t go stalking the mailman again,” Mrs. Wilson waved as she continued down the street. Beni covered his face and groaned. It may not have been in the newspaper, but the town was just small enough that everyone and their dog seemed to know about the incident. Aaron still could not get used to the fact that he was walking towards the best part of town. Aaron thought to himself, It’s like a whirlwind when Beni’s sister comes to town. Despite my objections she came to my house to pick me up for our high school graduation party, and declared, “These living conditions are unsuitable for our Aaron. He’s moving out!” Then like that, she bought an apartment and her roommates moved my stuff out while we were at the graduation party. I have no idea how she bought an apartment that fast. I guess I'm lucky she decided to do it though. Who knows if I would have graduated from community college, let alone applying to the most prestigious school in the country. It wasn't too long before they made their way up the Chevron walkway that led to the high rise apartments. The clean white exterior gave the place a fresh feel especially with the glass railing on the balconies glinting in the sunlight. Aaron punched in his door code to get into the foyer, and headed up the stairs to the fifth floor. It always astonished Beni how Aaron could walk up five flights of stairs let alone while carrying him up there. Aaron never takes the elevator. It was always so quiet this time of day, save for the exception of Aaron's steps ringing out off the tile floor. There was a rich aroma filling the hallway, which was unusual as the rooms were well ventilated. Both Beni and Aaron’s stomachs started growling. They followed the smell to Aaron's door which was sitting ajar. He was pretty sure he locked the door before he and Beni set out for the mailbox. “Aaron, were you expecting someone to come over?” Beni peered around Aaron’s back. Aaron’s mind was racing. Not many people have a key to the apartment, or know the code to get into the building for that matter. It didn't look like the door was broken into, but Aaron couldn’t think of who would just barge in like that when he wasn’t home. Did someone hijack a key from one of Aaron’s ex-girlfriend? Or maybe it was an ex-girlfriend! Was it an angry boyfriend of a fan of the Beni and Aaron facebook page? Was it a stalker? Aaron couldn't pinpoint who could possibly be in there, but he could feel Beni’s heart pounding. Nothing to do, but remain calm, Aaron thought to himself, I’m going to have to conserve energy if I have to bolt while carrying Beni. “I don't think so…” Aaron approached the door, acting cool as a cucumber. At least as cool as a cucumber can be with some rando camped out in its apartment. “Do you-- think maybe we should call the police?” Beni started shivering. “I’ll leave that to you when the time comes for that, Beni. Let’s see what’s going on before you call though,” Aaron whispered. Benimaru nodded as he shifted around to grab his phone, which somehow miraculously stayed in his hoodie pocket. He held onto the phone and braced himself on Aaron, “Okay. I got it,” Benimaru whispered. Aaron nodded as he pushed the door open. “Who’s in here?”