I sighed, allowing Bryn to pull me in different directions while she tried to find the big digital board that displayed the flights and their statuses. There were plasma screens of arrival and departure times on the wall of the airport. People were lined up at the check in desk with suitcases and baggage. There was a sculpture of a whale with water cascading from it's mouth and flowing down it's tail flukes. In the background soft classical music played. I tried pointing to the screens.

    "Bryn," I nudged, trying to get her attention, "Bryn." She waved a hand at me, taking about three steps forward before coming back and shaking her head worriedly.

    "I can't see them!" she wailed, "I've looked everywhere! I looked down the corridor and I know we haven't passed them because I was looking for them all the way through and I know they're not on the ceiling or the floor because that would be unconventional-" she paused, catching my expression, "what?" she asked, "was it because I said they wouldn't be on the floor or the ceiling?" I shook my head fondly at her, pointing at the masses of people.

    "Can you see or are you too short?" I asked, looking at the mess of thickened brunette curls that stopped abruptly just below her earlobes. Pouting, she raised herself on her tippy toes, huffing in exasperation before grabbing her luggage and power walking towards the masses. As we got to the group, I realised the familiar look of distaste and annoyance on people's faces. Among the sea of irritated and annoyed faces, there were old and young all who whined with an equal premise of complaints. I felt my heart drop. I tried moving forwards through the crowds, stopping only when I saw the familiar sight of the word DELAYED flashing in vibrant red letters. I felt my head spin. The flight to Germany alone would take at least three hours and now there would be at least six hours until we got on the plane. I must have been in the way of the board because when I was back in the land of the living, people were pushing past me, their faces crinkling at me with distaste. 

    Blushing with embarrassment at my current situation, I moved out of the way, waiting for Bryn. Looking around, the airport was relatively busy which was probably due to the delayed flights now I thought about it. Looking around, there were the voices of the young and old, their tones either subdued with the anticipation of separation or excited to be leaving on vacation. Suitcases being dropped onto the conveyer belts and the cheery welcomes of the check-in assistants. And in the background there was the seasonal music and the tinkle of sculptured water features. And all of these ambient sounds were punctuated periodically by the sound of a aeroplane taking off or landing on the tarmac runway outside. I looked around again, seeing in the arrivals lounge there was a curious mixture of bored and excited people. Some lounged on the low comfy chairs and others bounced on their toes, with coffees in hand. I knew there was a cafe close by. By the look of those styrofoam cups, there would have to be somewhere we could buy cookies for the long hours that awaited us. I frowned, pulling out my phone to quickly text Bryn before going off towards a rather long line which looked like the right line for cookies. Wanting to see that my flight was truly delayed, I had barely turned around when I saw the angry flashing letters. Sighing defeatedly, I continued on my search for snacks.

    I was focused on the time and moving forward when other people did, when suddenly I felt something bump my leg. Stumbling, I looked down only to find out it wasn't a something, it was a someone. 

    A little girl sat on the floor, rubbing her forehead, mumbling something that sounded apologetic and extremely shy. I smiled, crouching down. I didn't usually talk to children but there was something about her. Maybe it was her hair and eyes were the colour of dark roasted beans but her skin was all latte. She had that shy look about her that teens often get when they've grown too much too fast, like they aren't really sure about being a fully functional human just yet. She was skinny, but the way her clothes hung gave away the muscle beneath; and always in her wake were heads turning to watch her go. Maybe it was this exact behaviour and exact looks that reminded me of Bryn's little sister back at home. Maybe it was because this little girl reminded me of another sister I had never met half way across the world. She must get this a lot, I mused, the way someone's mouth would hang open before they remembered to close it. The way people would openly think of her innocent beauty. The little girl turned and looked up at me, her lips pulling taut in a slight and shy smile.

    "Hey there, kiddo," I smiled as gently as I could for two in the morning, "what's your name?" Playing with the wisps of hair around her face, she turned to face me fully. 

     "My name's Klarissa," she smiled, her voice thick with an accent, "what's your name? and how old are you? My brother just turned 19; I hope you're 19 too, I think you would be good for him." As if on cue, a voice - unmistakably a boy's voice - called out in the chaos. Klarissa's head perked up in the direction of the voice, her shining chocolate eyes looking back at me with a tinge of sadness. 

    "I suppose that means you have to go?" I smiled gently. Klarissa nodded her head, biting her lip, "well, my name is Kennedi Marshall, but you can call me Kens. Also, I'm 18, just a couple of months younger than your brother and I'm not really looking for a relationship right now." I sat on my knees, crouching suddenly becoming painful. Her chocolate eyes shimmered as the boy's voice called out again.

    "You guys would be so cute together," she pouted, "how about you visit us sometime? We live in Germany but we have a holiday home here on Grosvenor Crescent. Maybe we could even have a tea party some time." Her eyes widened at the thought. They were a deep, earthy brown - the colour of the earth after torrential rains. But there was something else in them, something glistening. Glistening like an old copper penny being examined in the warmth next to powerful flames that were licking the safety glass door of an old fireplace. I could never resist the beautiful power of hope. 

    "Sure thing, kiddo," I nodded, "I'll tell you what, I'll even bring a friend. I know someone roughly the same age as you and she absolutely adores tea parties. How does that sound?" She jumped up and down, grinning before running into the masses of people.

    "My brother calls me kiddo too!" I forced myself to stand up and for some reasons, my cheeks were blushing. I took a deep breath, turning around to check on my luggage when I saw an amused Bryn. Seeing the long line in front of us, I smiled wearily as I prepared to fill her in to pass the time.

    The lounge was actually full with lots of different types of cuisines. On the right I could see Japanese, French, Italian, Korean, Spanish and many more from the vast selection. On the left were souvenir shops. Magazine stands stood out, beckoning tourists with their front covers of sights to see and little London trinkets to remember their trip. I noticed a small portion of the souvenir shops had made way for a little cosmetics area with lots of perfume. The different scents made my head sway a little as I passed them on the way to the bakery I could see. 

    Bryn grinned and pulled me closer. I looked on wistfully. There were shelves upon shelves of delicate breads and pastries. Baguettes, croissants, danishes, sweet breads, donuts, rolls, buns, loaves were packed neatly in meticulous lines. The delicate glass cases held cakes, cupcakes and tarts of many flavours. I ordered a hot chocolate, pausing to decide whether I wanted a donut or a tart. Fishing around in my wallet I realised I only had enough for a chocolate dipped donut. Sadness flashed in my heart as I payed. I quickly sat down before Bryn noticed my expression and bought half the contents within the bakery. 

    I was almost done with my hot chocolate and donut when Bryn sat down with her usual coffee. I glanced up in interest from my phone, watching her bring out her laptop. She polished her glasses, the ones she used specifically when she had an important assignment. I smiled at her.

    "Bryn, you know you don't need to start your assignment yet right? The year doesn't officially start until next year." Bryn frowned at me.

    "I need to get a head start! You can't just pick out what you're going to major in without doing some extra work before classes." I laughed, shaking my head. 

    "I will never understand you," I smiled. Bryn attempted to frown condescendingly at me before bursting into laughter which I quickly followed in. I was about to throw our rubbish in the bin when a waitress came up to me, handing me a small lemon tart in the process. I frowned, trying to give it back.

    "We didn't order this," Bryn cut in sweetly as I began and failed to successfully produce a coherent sentence. I nodded. The waitress smiled, gesturing to the napkin.

    "Read the note, love." Bryn and I glanced at each other in curiosity. I gently placed the tart on the table so I could read the napkin. It said:

    I noticed your desire for this earlier. I thought you could do with a treat. Enjoy x

    I glanced up at Bryn, silently offering half as we usually did. She shook her head, before going back to her assignment which seemed to consist of slamming the keys on her keyboard rather violently. I took a hesitant bite out of the tart before instantly going back for more. The sweetness of the pastry melted on my tongue while I savoured the tang of the filling. I glanced up and around looking for anyone who could have sent my new favourite sweet treat although nothing and no one looked out of the ordinary. 

    That was until I looked up and saw a boy with brown hair and shining brown hair and shimmering sepia eyes. His hair was a soft brown, like the bark of an oak tree, not dark but simply gentle in any light. His eyes seemed to smile alongside his wolfish grin and I watched in horror as he stood up, making his way towards us. 

    Maybe he's going to talk to Bryn, I thought desperately, she's pretty; pretty enough to attract his attention. Maybe he won't even talk to me at all. Maybe I'll be able to get through one social interaction-

    The movement of a chair being pulled up at our table was enough to make Bryn look up in confusion. The boy smiled with a smile that could rival the sunshine in the heavens. His eyes sparkled, the light making them look alive. Their light brown colour was soft, the exact shade of a latte. A ring of gold hung inside his iris, adding another layer of depth to his already beautiful eyes. Slowly, he reached over the table towards me, reaching one hand out towards me, gently brushing away crumbs of pastry from the left side of my mouth. The left side of his lips tugged upwards creating a seductive smirk on his face; casting a spell of lust to eyes that dare look his way.

    "That's better. I see you're enjoying my gift."