“So, Gage, what is it that you love about coming to the city? Mr. Celebrity over here, I understand. But what about you?”
He is silent for what seems like a while, long enough where I think he won’t answer, but then he does. “It’s quiet.”
I look to Ev, who shrugs in aI don’t know what the fuck he is talking aboutmanner.
“Quiet?” I question.
“That’s what I said. All the noises blur together to create a white noise, silencing my head. When I am surrounded by the quiet, my mind is too loud.”
I close my eyes, confining my sight but expanding all my other senses, and I realize that Gage is right. All the commotion, the scuffling of shoes and heels on the ground, the rumbling of engines, the soft murmurs of hundreds of conversations happening around us, the honking horns and rustling of the leaves, it all blurs together creating a hum of peace. Of silence in my mind.
I see now that only someone whose mind is plagued with chaos can find peace in the roar of the city. Gage’s mind calls to mine. Like to like. Maybe that’s why we both find such beautiful stillness in Ev. His joy and boisterous personality create peace in our chaos.
For the rest of the day, we pop in and out of little shops, from clothing boutiques to bookstores, even a few thrift stores along the way. I fall more and more in love with the city as we go. No one looks at me unless I engage first. No one cares about a mixed girl with a white boy. And if they do, they don’t say anything, not like the people in Aurora, who have no problem blatantly judging. Evdoesn’t see it. He is too good, too naïve, but I know what their stares say. I’ve been seeing them all my life.
Gage remains pretty quiet, just observing Ev and me, and I can’t shake the feeling that I am being tested. The way he watches me… It’s not filled with dislike, but definitely not like either. Untrusting, maybe.
I’m looking over some records when Ev runs up to me and pulls me to the back. “Come on, pretty bird. I have a surprise.”
“What?” I’m utterly confused until I see the photo booth in the back of the store. The kind that you squeeze into tightly and it takes multiple photos, printing them out on a small little reel. I’ve never done one before, but I have heard of them, seen some of the photos in girls' binders and taped to lockers. I’ve always wanted to do one. He is collecting my firsts like prized possessions.
Ev ushers me inside and begins pressing buttons. He is moving so fast, not even questioning what he is typing. Then the little countdown begins.
Five seconds! I need more time.
I look at the screen that is reflecting our image and try to pat down my frizzy curls, but it’s no use. The camera flashes, and I don’t even know what kind of face I was making.
Why is this so stressful?
Another five seconds starts counting down. Oh God! What do I do? I do the first thing I can think of and scrunch my nose and plaster the biggest smile on my face, closing my eyes. I feel Ev’s lips on my cheek and then comes the flash.
I’m laughing at the silliness of this experience. The adrenaline rush I am getting from it all. Another one! Five seconds. Think, Leo! I look to Ev for backup, but he just grabs my face and plants a big wet kiss to my lips. Flash.
Then another countdown. Seriously, how many does this thing take? Ev’s hands find my ribs, and he begins to tickle me. I let out a roaring laugh, and flash! God, that one is probably so awful.
Another countdown. Okay, I think, this one has to be good. Ev grabs me by the back of the neck, hauls my forehead to meet his, and then closes his eyes. I do the same.
Flash.
Serenity.
The whole world fades.
We hold that position for a while. After the booth thanks us in its robotic voice, after we hear the printing of the reel complete. We hold still. I find belonging in this stillness. Just us. I don’t need to speak to know that Ev is soaking in this moment as much as I am. Imprinting it into his brain for a rainy day. Because I know without a doubt that we are going to have rainy days, but this moment right here is what I will return to.
“Where did you two fuckers go?” Gage’s voice pulls us from our moment, and we step out of the booth.
I grab the reel and smile. Each one is so perfect. So us. Ev grabs it from me and tucks it into his wallet.
“I will be keeping this forever, thank you very much.”
I reach up on my tip toes and kiss him gently. “That's okay, I’ll hold this moment in my memories forever.”
I look at Gage, who seems so desperately grumpy, and a crazy idea pops into my head. This is going to make or break our friendship. I put my metaphorical big-girl panties on and quickly shove Gage into the photobooth.
“What are you doing?” A wide-eyed panicked look covers his face as he tries to exit the booth.
“Come on, Gage. Take some photos with me.”
