Sunflowers and Honey

“I am the captain of my boat, so I steadily sail and hope not to fail.” Dizzee Rascal.

''You also have a roommate on that floor, he doesn't go to college, thinks its a waste of two or even four years'' A sigh escaped the bearded man's mouth who tutted soon after, before looking at Florin who just smiled a bit, ''Do you know what your name means young man?'' Florin, shocked of the sudden question made him nod, ''oh well'' the old man went back to his ramblings, he was short, pudgy with more of a darker skin tone, with white hair as tufts, reminding Florin of a Mall Santa Claus. Probably from the warmth of his way of living really Florin thought with soft smile.

''It was nice to see you...Uhm-'' Florin started but stopped, not really knowing the other's name, which made the Jolly old man smile a even wider smile, his white teeth, not in reality blinded the younger one but to Florin they were bright.

''Names Himesh'' The old man grinned, who shook the other's hand with a firm grip, ''now go off and have fun, also tell my grandson, your roommate that his grandmother misses him'' Himesh had told Florin, who nodded a little before moving off to where the stairs were located at ready to start his college years. Luckily he wasn't on the very top of the apartment stories, just on the second one. Which didn't take long, It felt like Florin was sent back to his High-school life, trying to find his classes, but now it was his living room. He stopped and retraced his steps, a pack rustling at his back, making him shift the pack before stopping at the right door.

''Here we go'' he muttered, before entering the apartment, of course it looked what those sit-coms like Big bang theory apartment looks like, a kitchen in a corner, with a living room, and doors that lead to bedrooms, and bathrooms. Fully entering a strong smell hit Florin making him gag, ''Like a gym but with the dead'' Florin whispered covering his nose.

''Who's there?'' A voice called out making Florin move to the kitchen, there was a bit of a wall that hid it, probably for the cabinets, soon he saw a sweaty man, almost like the old man, but with lighter skin and dusty blonde hair in a bun. ''Oh are you a new roommate?'' The man asked a soon squeal came after, making Florin jump, which the man just smiled, ''That's my daughter Noelle, sorry about her, she's watching her creation cook and boil'' the man gave a tired smile. Florin just gave a forced smile. ''Ah my name is Ruben, but you can just call me Rube''

''Florin'' Florin said, before shaking the other's hand, Noelle, the young girl popped up, she was paler with dark hair and brown eyes like Ruben, she soon extended her own hands, which were messy with food, guessing the reason of the smell is from her, so he shook her hand before looking back at Ruben, ''So uhm, your Grandfather, Himesh had told you to go meet your Grandmother'' Florin said, cutting the other off, making Ruben grin.

''Getting Strangers into my business, what a tricky fox, I guess it can't be helped, well my room and Noelle's is on the left side the first door, so you got the second door down, settle down, me and Noelle will be back'' He had said, turning the stove down, before telling Noelle to go get ready, as he waited for the thing to cool down. Florin stepped in, deciding to help clean up.

''Do you guys do this often?''

''No, only whenever she sees science projects on the internet, though they are hoaxes, sadly'' Ruben scratched at his head, before yawning. ''Usually ends up making her mad, and a mess to clean up, but this one is looking promising, so she's fine at the moment'' Ruben chuckled, though soon turned once he heard Noelle squeal out that she was ready.

It's been awhile since they left, though to him it was understandable, since it was family, and after settling in he had went back to the kitchen ignoring the pot of whatever, looking through the fridge, though decided against on eating their things, since they mostly ate leftovers of take-out it seems, sighing, Florin moved to his room, which had been used for storage, so it was hard to move the multiple boxes to a more suitable place but he got most out, but bigger boxes stayed, bulging from the things they probably put in there, he squeezed to get to the desk once more, straining to grab some cash, before pulling back and looked at it, most was for his college funds, but he knew he would dip in it, for food, which was right now. He counted up to twenty, deciding that hamburger helper will be the cheapest to get, though he decided to grab ten dollars in case.

Raben and Noelle were singing or more screaming along with the music playing in a old van, that had just been through a car wash, though the rust stayed. The two were considered Trailer Park trash, though now they just upgraded to poor almost homeless, that was what the apartment was considered, a bad way but an upgrade for those that had to live in mobile homes always moving. Noelle turned to her father, the two now face to face as a long scream went by the two soon laughed, Raben facing the road once more. ''What do you think of her pa?'' Noelle asked, Florin, was a bit on the chubby side, pale but with freckles that littered his body, Noelle had noticed that the chest area was terribly binded, well to her it wasn't binded, but just small breasts really.

''Well I think he may be interesting for the two of us'' Raben on the other hand, knew, well working at a shop, but also at bar as a host, yeah the bar wasn't really a bar but just a place for people to rent other people to show off their ''lovers'', you meet a lot of people with different races, genders, sexualities, and more. Raben didn't care, since his wife was a person of different sexualities.

''He?''

''Yes, you heard his voice, not only that, but I saw people like him before, though some are more better at binding''

''Oooooohhh, so he's like them, who would of thought, you are amazing pa!'' Raben was sure to make sure that Noelle knew of different people and different things, and to keep kind and open-minded, though even by doing that, other things can change her mind, like her school, so he can only hope for the best that his teachings stayed with her.

''Mhm Buggers'' he smiled, soon turning on a right turn, before making his way to a house, that was small, decorated with flowers, the white made them pop out with their crazy color. ''We made it'' he said, parking before turning the car off, and exited, watching as Noelle exited also, jumping from the booster seat.

Florin was glad for bringing extra cash, as he grabbed some Aha, and sweets, there carrying a case and the bags of things brought, Florin made his way back to the apartment, taking his time, even though it wasn't far, since he enjoyed the dusk the weather cooling down, as he strolled, hands numb from the bags and the case of sparkling water. Cars whizzed by, some cars slowing down, as kids ran from the roads, or stray animals that ran to the other side to their shelters, in the midst Florin had also crossed the hold, brisk, not wanting to waste his of driver's time. He had taken multiple breaks however, on purpose, to which a car stopped at him, when he was at a bench for a break. The window slowly came down, the loud music that was muffled was now clear making Florin flinch, though knew who it was, Raben, ''Sup need a ride?''

''Oh uh sure'' Florin didn't mind, deciding to use for his advantage instead of being stubborn, he placed the items in back before also entering the back, closing the door, and settled in the music continued to blast, Noelle singing as Raben drummed against the wheel in the beat, while florin only struggled to take in the loudness of the car, slowly regretting on taking the offer that was given to him.

''So what did you get?'' Raben had stopped at the apartment, which made the car turn off, so the much loudness was gone except for Noelle's singing. Florin unbuckled himself grabbing the items before looking at the rearview mirror where Raben was looking at him back.

''Dinner and drinks'' Florin replied before stepping out of the van, and started for the entrance, which Raben hurried after him, with Noelle closely behind.

''Here I can help'' Raben said, opening the door, though not grabbing any of the bags, which didn't bother Florin at all, since it was his things. The three made it back to the apartment, Noelle quickly returning to the forgotten pot of goop, as Florin, put things in the fridge, till later when the pot and Noelle wasn't near so that it felt small. He returned to his room before laying on the bed. A new beginning, A new start with two interesting characters will be something