Ray of Moonlight

Chapter Sixteen - Ray

"Leo Morris?" I heard someone call Leo by his full name. I looked up at the same time as Leo and we both stared at the boy, about Leo's age I suppose, standing by our table.

We both stared at the boy and despite how much I thought about it, I can't recognize him. I checked him out as I noticed how good-looking he is. He has blonde hair along with chestnut eyes. He's fair-skinned just like Leo and I though he's built is a little less like of Leo's.

"Sorry, do you know me?" Leo asked, not recognizing him too.

"Yeah." The boy breathed out, smiling widely at Leo. Why did he have to smile widely at Leo? "We used to be classmates until 5th grade. Erico Randall's the name. You're Leo, right?" The boy, whose name is supposedly Erico, continued.

"Yeah." Leo confirmed. He thought for a moment as if raking through his memories. "Oh, Echo." His eyes lit up. 'Calm your hormones down.' I thought as Leo's smile grew wider.

"One and only." Echo said before they did a weird handshake. They both laughed afterwards. "Did you move here too?"

I watched as Leo shook his head in response. I sighed. He totally forgot that I'm sitting right here. "We're just here for a month." He informed him. "Work." He quickly added. "By the way," he started, facing me. "This is Ray, my uncle. I came here with him."

"Hi." Erico greeted me, a little too enthusiastic. I, on the other hand, just nodded at him.

"Is this where you moved after 5th grade?" Leo suddenly asked, curiosity evident in his tone.

"Yeah. My parents got promoted so we moved here." He answered.

"What a small world." Leo breathed out. He possibly couldn't believe that he's seeing someone he know here. By the look on his face, Erico isn't just someone. He's probably more important than just someone.

"So, what are your plans for the day?" Erico asked.

Leo looked at my direction, passing the question to me. I shrugged. "Just going to take a look around the city."

"I could be your tour guide, if you like." Erico offered. "I've lived here for years. I know the right places." Leo's face lit up in excitement. I couldn't turn his friend's offer down, could I?

"Sure." I reluctantly answered. "We could use some company." I added though what I really wanted to say is for him to get lost and leave us the fuck alone.

Leo smiled triumphantly, he looked as though he just won the lottery. Guess he's happier that he got the chance to spend some time with his long lost friend.

Erico led us to Downtown Seattle, as he catch up with Leo, with me following them behind. They'd occasionally laughed at something and I'll just watch them from behind.

They are even attracting some people with their laughs and I just keep my head low. Some looked at them with awe though there are still some who's looking at them with so much distaste. 'They're not together.' I wanted to tell everyone that but I just tried my best ignoring them.

"Welcome to Pike Place Market." Erico mimicked a tour guide as he opened his arms wide. "And I suggest, you take a photo with the iconic red 'Public Market Center' sign." He said, pointing at the bright red sign.

I watched as Leo took his camera from its bag and quickly snapped a photo of the sign. "Will you take a photo of us?" he then asked Erico.

"Sure." Erico replied as Leo handed him the camera.

"Come here." Leo grabbed my arm as we stood in front of the market. He positioned us so that the sign would serve as our background.

"Whenever you're ready." He told Erico.

Erico started counting. I watched as Leo plastered on his wide bright smile as I heard Erico counting. "I, 2, 3, Smile." I heard the camera clicked even before I could turn my face towards it.

"Let me see." Leo walked towards Erico and the latter showed what he took. Leo glanced back at me after looking at the picture. "You weren't even looking at the camera." He told me.

"One more time." He walked back at me. "Look at the camera." He ordered, like a teacher telling her students to listen up.

We both looked at the camera. "I, 2, 3, Smile." We both flashed our smiles, his a lot wider. Erico nodded in satisfaction.

"Better." He commented as he handed the camera back to Leo. Leo's lips pulled up a smile, while looking at the camera. That brought a smile on my lips too.

"Look." He showed the screen at my direction and I walked closer to him. I looked at the picture and even I could tell that it is a good one. "Compare it to this one." He said as he showed the other one, the one that I wasn't looking.

'I like this one better.' I thought as I find it better. It's a perfect shot of me staring intently at Leo while he is flashing his bright smile at the camera.

"Keep them both." I told him.

"Of course." He responded. He then handed me the camera. "Take a picture of us too." He told me as he walked to the spot where we just took the photo, while dragging Erico through his hand.

"Whenever you're ready." Leo shouted at me. I put the camera on my face and zoom in on them, framing them from barely above the knee.

My eyes got caught at Leo's hand still holding Erico's. I waited for Leo to let Erico's hand go but it didn't happen. "I, 2, 3, Smile." I reluctantly counted, before snapping a picture. They're both smiling widely at the camera.

They both rushed to either of my sides as I finished taking their picture. With the camera on my hand, we all stared at the picture I just took. "It's good." They both said at the same time. As much as I hate to admit it, they look really good in one frame.

"This place is one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the country, after opening mid of 1907." Erico informed us as we entered the place.

It is quite amazing just by watching everything that is happening at this bustling market. Erico even led us watch fishmongers toss freshly caught fish in the air.

We roamed around the place then grabbed a cup of iced coffee at Starbucks. Erico informed us that this one was the first one to ever open in 1971. See, we're having a tour and a little history lessons.

Leo seems to be enjoying himself while taking pictures from time to time. "Let's go to the Gum Wall in Post Alley." Erico said and we followed him.

Leo took some more pictures. This guy sure loves taking pictures. I can't help but notice how Erico looks at Leo every once in a while, when Leo is busy taking pictures. He got this longing look while staring at my Leo.

My Leo. Wow, that's really a quick upturn of events.

"What's that?" Leo asked Erico as he pointed at a piggy bank.

"That is Rachel the Piggy Bank." Erico informed us. "People make a donation then rub her nose supposedly for good luck. The proceeds benefit Pike Place Market social services." He finished explaining as we got near the piggy bank.

Leo fished out some cash from his pocket then put it in the piggy bank. He even rubbed the nose of the piggy bank. "Come on, the proceeds go to something that is actually good." He looked at me expectantly and I, too, put in some cash. "Rub the nose too."

I stared at him in disbelief. "That's nonsense."

"It won't hurt if you try." He said before grabbing my hand and letting it rub against the nose of the piggy bank.

I pulled my hand back but it was already late. "Imagine how dirty the nose is."

"The secret is, Don't." he whispered in my ear.

If Leo keep on doing things like that, my self-control will probably run out sooner than what I'm prepared for.