Hey, everyone, this is a story written by two authors! The Sonny part are from msarahv and the Will part by WILLSONN LOVER. This is going to be a heartfelt story and we really hope you like it and comment! Enjoy!
Sonny's POV
Sonny liked the dawn. It had this fresh new light, pale colors that made for wonderful pictures. But it meant getting up really early. Especially as the days were getting longer now. So he hunted sunsets. His dorm room was filled with beautiful pictures taken in Dubai, Japan, the Himalayas... taken during his last holidays. Some were good, some were really amateur and he knew that to get better, he needed practice. So, he took lots of photographs, every day. He found new spots for that, he got a thrill each time he found a beautiful view when walking around the campus of the Chicago State University. He would photograph the buildings now and then, because sometimes the light created nice patterns, but he liked nature more and the sky too. Blue and deep or laced with a thousand colors, he lost himself in it.
Finding a good spot wasn't all there was to it. Capturing a good moment also required waiting. Lots of it. Sometimes, Sonny would take a thermos of coffee with him and wait for a long time just to get a few precious minutes to capture what in his mind were heavenly masterpieces. But there were evenings where the wait was in vain. Maybe there were too many clouds, maybe people got in the way of his camera. Sonny liked people. He was a friendly guy and when he traveled, he always came back having met genuinely interesting persons that he kept a contact with. But when he was on photographer mode, he didn't really pay attention, unless they were about to bump into him. His best friend Chad teased him about it. "You're in your dreams, man. One day, there will be a beautiful girl and you won't see her with your head in your clouds." That was when Sonny had to come out to him. He was rather discreet about his sexual orientation but he trusted Chad and he had not be disappointed. He got a slap on the back "Well, it's good that you tell me, I won't try and fix you up with some chicks and create embarrassing situations... I won't be able to help you find guys though, sorry!" Sonny had grinned "I don't need help, Chad. Acceptance is enough." Chad had answered "Goes without saying. So, you're up for a pool game at the student union?"
Sonny liked hanging out with Chad. He was a down-to-earth guy, studying sport journalism. He was keeping Sonny in touch with reality by his dry humor and sharp remarks. They had met a few month ago and found out they both had relatives at the same place: a town port called Salem, next to the Michigan. Sonny had not been there for a while. But his parents called him one night. "Hello, Sonny, it's dad! How's college?" "Hi, dad, college is great. I have new teachers this year and it's getting more and more interesting." "Glad to hear that. Well, we've got big news! We're moving." "Really? Are you coming to the States?" "Actually, we won't be very far from you, we'll be living at uncle Victor's house. I've been offered a position in a local law-firm." "Congratulations! I'll visit you this summer, then!"
He had told Chad and proposed they go together but Chad was ill-at-ease "I don't have anyone there to see Sonny." "I thought you said your dad lived there?" "He does. I've met him a few years ago. He's a dangerous man. I don't want him in my life." Chad looked so sad saying that, Sonny had spent the evening with him and missed a splendid sunset that he could see through Chad's dorm room's window.
One specific humid day, after the rain had sprinkled tiny drops all over the lawns, the clouds started parting and Sonny recognized the signs. He went to an emplacement he'd just found and was rewarded by a breathtaking sight. He just had the time to take his equipment out and start shooting, quickly but careful to remain steady and composed. He was focused and elated. That was it. A moment of grace. The wind came in a blast and broke all of it, so Sonny put his camera back in his bag and after one last glance, he closed his jacket to shelter from the cold and walked back to the library. He grinned at Romi, the kind librarian with whom he liked to chat with now and then. But she knew not to disturb him when he was in that state. He sat and put his laptop on the table. He plugged the memory disc and looked at the first photo displaying on the screen. It was perfect. He loved it.
He looked at the other photo and they were great too. Something caught his attention, though and he watched them again, this time focusing at something else than the sunset. On each one, there was a guy. He wasn't in the way, in fact, on the first picture he was quite far. Then he was a little nearer and he was smiling. And for the second time, Sonny caught his breath. The man was unlike anything he had ever seen before, gorgeous, shining, so present that he seemed to be in front of him and not flat on that screen. Sonny sat, transfixed for five long minutes, then shook himself and ran to the door, leaving his bag, saying "Romi, can you look after my things, I'll be right back!"
But when he got to the bench, the place was empty. The street lights were not very bright, so he searched in the dark, wishing he had a flashlight, using his cell instead. He knew, in a reasonable way that it was too late, there was no reason the man would have stayed. Maybe he could find him the next day? There were lots on students on campus, but it was possible? It had to be. Sonny walked back slowly to the library. He gathered his things sadly. "What happened, Sonny, you look all gloomy! You were so excited when you first came in." Sonny pinched his lips. He shook his head and said "Nothing much. I just let something pass me by. I wish I hadn't."
Will's POV
Will drove home, cursing himself for being so emotional. Dashing the tears from his eyes. He had been to the prison, just like he had done on the first Sunday of every month for the past 4 years.
Seeing his dad was important to him, but it was also taking an emotional toll on him. Not to mention his mom had eventually ended up marrying EJ Dimera… despite the fact that his dad had shot the man to keep that from happening. But it did just the same.
His mother, Samantha, Sami to anyone who knew her, had always had a problem being alone. So it didn't surprise Will that she agreed with everything he wanted in order to keep the peace. And what he wanted was for Will to work for him at Dimera Enterprises.
Will really really wanted to be a sports commentator. It was his dream and his way out of this town. He wanted to go to college ASAP. EJ was fighting it tooth and nail. Will did not want to work for him…. He really just wanted to tell him to go to hell but he couldn't since there was a slim chance that one day he would realize that Will did need to go to college.
In the meantime he was working at the pub to save the money to pay for college himself.
Will's cell phone vibrated in the seat beside him. He looked at the caller ID, and was surprised to see that it was T, his best friend… who was lucky enough to be away at college.
"Hey! What's up man?" He said as he pressed the answer key.
"Not Much." T said. "What are you doing for this week and the following weekend?" he asked.
"Nothing, things are quiet here… mom and EJ just left for a business trip and then a small vacation and they aren't coming back for two weeks."
"Excellent!" T said. "Come to spend the week with me here at the college!" "Let's hang out!"
"Yeah?" Will asked.
"Absolutely!" T said… "We can party…. We will chase chicks….. well I mean I can, you usually chase…. Well never mind you get my meaning!" T laughed obnoxiously.
"SHUT UP!" Will said laughing… as he was very used to T's ridiculous sense of humor by now. "I will be there on Wednesday!"
"Awesome!" T said as he disconnected the call.
Suddenly Will's week was looking better, and he was excited for the first time in months.
He went home to get ready for his last shift at the Pub for the week and to get someone to cover the weekend for him.
Wednesday afternoon, Will pulled into the visitors parking lot at Chicago State Univeristy, he texted T that he was there and then climbed out of the car. He pulled his bag from the trunk.
He heard T before he saw him. "Will!" He screamed across the parking lot. He hurried over and scooped Will up in a huge bear hug. "This is going to be an Epic Weekend!" he said excitedly. "How the hell are you?"
"Same old crap!' Will responded.
"Still can't get EJ to back off huh?" T asked sympathetically.
"Nope…. And I don't want to talk about it!" Will insisted. "What are we gonna do this weekend?"
"Partying of course!" T said "This is college ya know!"
Much later Will had been introduced to T's group of friends, and shown where he would be crashing the next few nights. Almost everyone had scattered for class and Will and T had been sent on a beer-buying mission. Apparently they were going to start the night with a party.
They drove to the mini mart that is just down the street, T's buddies had insisted that the cashiers there were all cool college students that never asked for ID. As they climbed out of the car T gave Will some instructions.
"Don't be a wus!" he said. "No being scared, just act like you do this all the time!" Will nodded solemnly…. But was laughing at T on the inside because he looked like he may puke from nervousness himself.
They went in and each of them grabbed a case of beer. T headed directly to the check out and whipped out his wallet to pull out his cash. The middle aged lady behind the counter didn't look like a college student to Will so he went over to the chip display to wait and see how T was going to manage this.
The cashier pushed her glasses up on her nose. "May I see your ID young man?" She asked.
T pretended to look all through his wallet sifting through this and that.
"I'm sorry I can't seem to find..." T stampered.
Just then a stack of cards fell from his wallet, library card, debit card, insurance card... complete with driver's license.
"Here they are!" she said as she picked them up and brought them up to where she could see the date. "You're underage!" she said handing the card back across the counter and pulling the beer in front of her leaning on the case.
T was so flustered that he left the store without another word.
Will considered putting his back for a moment or two... but then he decided... what the hell... he could give it a try. He hadn't shaved in a couple days, so he was sporting some scruff. Will walked up to the counter and casually put the beer and a few bags of chips in front of the cashier.
"How are you tonight? he asked, engaging her in conversation.
"Fine, thank you... and yourself?" she asked in return.
"Good... just starting the weekend early.' he said indicating the stuff gathered on the counter.
She looked up at him and studied him for a minute or two, feeling satisfied she rang up his purchase and took the cash that he passed over the counter. She gave him his change and dropped his chips into a bag.
Will grabbed the beer and the bag of chips and started out of the door, while he prayed that his luck would hold just another minute or two.
"Excuse me, Sir!" The cashier called... Will turned to her slowly.. she came from behind the counter. "I must have dropped these.." she said handing him a bag of chips, "I am terribly sorry."
"Thanks!" Will said taking them from her.
He went out the door, and held up the beer and chips for T to see.
"What?" T cackled. "Are you kidding me?"
They jumped in the car and headed back to campus.
They were supposed to meet some of the other guys at the other male dorm.. all the way on the other side of campus, but T needed to change clothes, so they parked at T's dorm and decided to walk over.
They talked and laughed like old times as they walked. T suggested that they take a short cut through the park and Will was all for that.
They were halfway through the park when T stopped short and indicated a couple of girls that were tossing a Frisbee around.
"Yeah?" "So?" Will asked.
T craned his neck around and looked at Will like he had lost his marbles. Then he rolled his eyes... "Will, man... sometimes I just can not believe you." he laughed and shook his head.
"The dorm is right outside the opposite entrance of the park and the third building to the left. Text me when you get there." He said as he walked away from Will.
"Unbelievable!" Will said to himself. "Are you freaking serious right now?" Will called after him.
"Sorry Will!" T called back... "A guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do." he said as he jogged toward the girls.
Will stood there and laughed... That's T for you, always thinking with the wrong body part.
He shrugged his shoulders and started out across the park. Soon he realized that he had wandered away from the path and he was up on an embankment. This place must be beautiful at sunset. He thought. He wouldn't admit it to anyone but he loved sunset. Truth be told, he was a hopeless romantic at heart.
He glanced around until his eyes come to rest upon a young man who was busily taking photographs. He seemed oblivious to everything around him. There was something incredibly beautiful about the way his body moved as he worked to get the perfect shot.
He stood up and pointed the camera in Will's direction. Will knew he was in the shot and he couldn't help but smile. He wasn't sure if it was a total coincidence or it the guy was actually trying to take his picture, but he decided to run with it. He was pulled in the direction of the photographer, as if there was a magnet between them.
The young man pulled the camera from in front of his face and concentrated on the screen. His eyes lit up clearly excited by what he saw on the screen.
Will got a chance to study him for a minute and he took Will's breath away. He was breathtakingly beautiful. He decided to go and introduce himself. He got his feet moving again and headed over to where he was standing. Just as he was ready to call out a greeting, the young man turned and hurried out of the park.
Will stood there for a moment watching him go, kicking himself for not speaking sooner.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, he pulled it out and opened the new text message. Of course it was from T. "Dude... Where R U?" Will sighed and rolled his eyes... he turned and hurried out of the park.