Spy on Leo and Julio

My friend Leo was probably still somewhere around here, drifting across the corridors.

To help him out, I had sent Julio to meet him and talk to him. I felt like checking in on the two.

As I walked across the corridors, I could hear sounds of conversation happening in the distance. The empty corridors allowed for easy travels of their voices as their conversation carried across the calm spaces here.

"I never knew." Leo's voice rose as he spoke softly to his friend.

"I never shared with anyone honestly."

"Wow. I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about. I'm luckier than most. At least they had some closure you know.."

"Honesty is underrated."

A small silence followed. I felt wrong listening in, not making myself known, but I didn't want to overwhelm my friend.

"I guess I need to be honest with you then..." The thoughtfulness was obvious in Julio's voice.

"You always have been."

"Not entirely."

"What do you mean? What did you lie about?"

"No lies. Never a lie. But omitting the truth or not sharing it... Has its own weight."

"I know..."

Carrying a secret sure is something heavy, that's for sure. I felt compelled to stay where I was, to keep my ear out for this omitted truth...

"I like you, Leo. You're fun, interesting, smart... And you always make my day."

I was melting over the sweetness of the moment I had stumbled upon. And I held my breath in anticipation of what Leo would be saying about this revelation.

"Wow... I... Never expected..." Stunned might be an understatement to the tone that Leo was taking in reaction.

"You're so great and cool... Are you sure?"

Julio laughed at my white friend's reactions.

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"I am flattered. I just didn't expect that. You're really cool too!"

Leo was awkward, on that we can agree.

"I like you too, Julio." His tone shifted, his announcement a bit more serious, direct.

"May I?"

There was silence.

A shift in clothing.

And the unmistakable sound of kissing.