Ray of Moonlight

Chapter Three - Leo

"You look like a mess." Mom said after seeing me enter the dining room.

I groaned as I quietly took a seat. "That's probably an understatement." I agreed. With how sleepy I still feel, it's probably safer to say that I look like a crap. I didn't bother looking myself at the mirror when I woke up yet I know that I don't look presentable enough. Me being in just my boxers isn't helping my case either.

"That I agree." Dad mumbled, folding the newspaper he was just reading when I stepped in the kitchen. "You stayed up all night again?" Standing up, he walked towards the counter and poured himself a cup of tea.

Before I could even answer him, mom already beat me to it. "You don't even need to ask." She slid a plate of pancakes in my direction as she gave dad some toasted bread. "I was sure I gave birth to a human but now, I'm not so sure anymore."

I almost choked at the pancake that I was just eating. "What made you doubt?"

She plopped herself on a seat before answering. "You stay up all night then looks sleepy all day. Maybe you're a bat?"

I shrugged. "Are you, though?"

Mom and Dad both looked at me in confusion. "If I am a bat, then you two are also bats." I explained.

"Or you could be adopted." They both said in unison.

I almost dropped my fork at what they just said. "Wow!" I breathed out. "The way that you just said that at the same time is making me doubt myself too."

We all broke into laughter. This is just so normal to us. One of us being roasted that is. There's not a day that passed by without one of us getting bullied.

After eating, mom cleaned up after she shooed me and dad away from the kitchen. As I was walking up the stairs, mom spoke. "Oh, I almost forgot. We're going to the beach today."

I instantly smiled widely before asking. "What's the occasion?" The thought of going to beach is enough to get me out from my sleepy state.

"Continuation of your cousin's wedding celebration." That means a lot of people will be there. The smile immediately left my face. As much as I love going to the beach, I hate being surrounded by relatives that I don't actually know.

Think of an excuse. Think fast. "Oh, I can't. I need to go to the uni today to pass my final papers." That wasn't a lie though. I really need to pass my papers but I can just also do it tomorrow since tomorrow's the deadline.

"It sucks for you then." Mom appeared in the living room. "And to think that you love going to the beach too."

If only she knew. "Can't help it. Papers before waters."

Dad stood up from the couch. "Go get changed. We'll drop you off the uni at least."

"Okay." I agreed. Who wouldn't want a free ride? I quickly walked up to my room and arranged my things. I quickly sent Diane a text telling her that we will be submitting our final papers today instead of tomorrow. After that, I stepped in the shower and took a bath. Walking out the shower, I walked straight to my closet to look for clothes to wear.

I decided to go with a faded light blue denim slim-fit jean paired with black and white pullover and white sneakers. Casual yet appropriate for submitting a final paper. When I was done changing, I looked myself at the mirror and felt satisfied with how I look. I look quite good, my parents' genes made sure of that. I checked my phone and Diane replied with 'See you then.'

Grabbing my things, I walked downstairs and my parents are already waiting for me. "About time." Dad said.

"You look so handsome." Mom mentioned, gushing over like a teenage girl.

"And I was an adopted bat just moments ago." I deadpanned.

Mom lightly smacked my arm. "It's not good to hold grudges that long. It makes you age faster."

"Now I know." I remarked as we walked outside the house.

"What do you know?" Mom inquired while opening the door to the passenger seat.

I plopped myself comfortably at the back seat before answering. "Why you both age fast."

They quickly turned their heads to me. "Get out."

I feigned hurt. "Is this how you treat your one and only handsome son?"

"We're not so sure about the last part." Dad remarked before revving up the engine of the car.

"Whatever." I took out my phone and headset from my bag, ready to block out outside noise. "I'm a sucker of free rides."

Dad then started driving off as the songs in my phone filled my ears.

"Hey." I heard someone say as I felt myself being slightly shaken. I slowly opened my eyes and met my mom's blue eyes. "We're here."

I looked outside and I saw the familiar entrance of the uni. "I can't believe you fall asleep on that short ride." Dad chuckled while looking at me through the rearview mirror.

"I'm Batman." I answered as I pick up my bag. "Bye guys, enjoy!" I said as I closed the car's door.

Mom rolled down her window and said. "Can't say the same for you. I love you." And then, they took off. That's something mom would really do.

"Hey hottie." Someone, with a little too familiar voice, said from behind as a pair of arms was wrapped around my waist.

"Hey, you." I greeted back Diane. Turning around after she released me, I am met with her green-colored eyes. Diane is shorter than me, but not that much. 6 inches, more or less.

We're best of friends, that's what she always calls us. I've had a crush on her since freshman year though. Unluckily, she has a boyfriend. You can probably imagine how it is for me every time she pulls stunts like hug me.

Diane is beautiful, that's what immediately caught my eyes when we were freshmen. My crush on her grew when slowly, I got to know her. She's nice and quick-witted though sometimes, she can be slow too. On top of that, we have so many similarities. I don't know who wouldn't fall for her. Only the crazy ones, I guess. Or maybe, I'm the crazy one since I fell for someone who's already taken.

She holds onto my forearm as we walk inside the uni. Actions like this one is making it hard for me to move on from her. But then again, why should I move on when I haven't even stop by?

Stopping in front of the faculty room's door, she knocked and I turned the knob. It has always been this way. She knocks and I get to have the honor of turning the knob. We both walked in and straight to Professor Mateo's desk.

"If it weren't for the Language Department's Duo." Prof. Mateo said as we took our seats in front of her desk. We both smiled at her. Prof. Mateo may be old but she's just as cool as the young generation.

I opened my bag to retrieve my final paper as Diane did the same thing. We handed them in together and Prof. Mateo offered us somewhat a pleased smile.

"This is the first time that you didn't wait for the deadline." Of course, Prof. Mateo would notice that.

Diane and I both awkwardly laughed. "Trying out something new at the end of the semester, Professor."

"Enjoy your summer, then." Prof. Mateo said as we stood up from our seats.

Diane and I exited the office with smiles in our faces. "One more year to go." I said more to myself.

"Yeah." Diane agreed. "So, where to now?" she asked.

Just as I was about to answer her, my phone rang. I picked it up upon checking the caller ID.

"Yes, uncle?" I answered, dragging the word 'uncle' a little bit.

"Move your ass and come outside. I'm waiting for you." He said before quickly adding, "I know you've already passed your final paper."

"Did you, by any chance, put a tiny camera on me?"

"Maybe." He chuckled. "Faster. I'm excited to swim." Then he hangs up.

"Who was that?" Diane asked, with slight amusement painted on her face.

"My uncle." I answered, slightly annoyed. Mom and Dad already bought my excuse, how come he didn't? Suddenly, a not-so bright idea came to my mind. "Do you want to come with us?" I asked even before I could even think twice about it.

"Where to?"

"The beach." I answered.

"With this?" She asked, pointing at her clothes.

"We can always stop by the department store." I answered as I grabbed her hand, not giving her any chance to decline.