A Night in Hollywood

Behind The Facade

"I hate parks," Harry conversationally said as they strode through the people-filled greenery.

"Surprise surprise," Louis said. "I bet they secretly hate you, too."

"Then you and parks have something in common," Harry said with a smirk.

"True that," Louis said "How come it you hate them?"

Harry tightened his jaw. "Can we sit for a while? I'm sick of just walking around so people can take pictures of us." He pointed to a nearby bench.

"So you want us to sit down so people can take pictures of us?"

"Yeah."

"Alright. Weird, but okay."

Harry rolled his eyes and strolled over to the bench. Louis followed him, and together, they sat down.

"Sit closer to me," Harry said. "We gotta look like we like each other."

"I only like you when you're begging for me to fuck you into next Saturday," Louis mumbled but moved closer to Harry nonetheless. Their thighs touched. "Now tell me why you hate parks so much."

"And who are you to think you deserve to know?"

"It's parks. Can't be that deep."

"I don't like you."

"Except when you have my cock up your arse"

"Still then."

"Aw, man."

Harry actually chuckled. A dimple pooled on his cheek.

"So, parks?" Louis said and picked a grass straw from the ground. He began tearing it into pieces.

Harry wet his lips, he looked as if he was contemplating whether to speak or not. Finally, he chose to speak. "My parents used to bring me and my sister to the park each Sunday after church."

"Church?" Louis asked. "Your family is religious?"

"When I was growing up, yeah," Harry said.

"They're not anymore?" Louis asked. He dropped the last piece of grass to the ground.

Harry let out a humourless laugh. "I don't know. They probably are."

Louis was confused. "Huh?"

"I haven't seen them since I was eighteen," Harry explained. "They... They didn't like I was gay. Threw me out to fend for myself. Funny how suddenly me being gay wasn't a problem when I became famous and had money."

A bitter taste filled Louis' mouth. "I'm so sorry about that, Harry."

Harry tightened his jaw. "I don't speak about it a lot. The public doesn't even know. They think I have a fine relationship with my parents."

"Why's that?" Louis asked and picked a new grass straw. "Why not let the world know what pieces of shit they are?"

Harry shrugged. "Some part of me still wants them to like me. They called me, you know, after I had shot my first movie at nineteen. Said they forgave me, but I couldn't let myself into the toxic place. They would never love me again, I knew that, they would only love the money."

"That makes sense," Louis said. He furrowed his eyebrows. "If you didn't tell the public this, then why are you telling me?"

"I don't know, honestly," Harry said. "I just thought about it when we were here." He looked around, a sad smile on his lips. "My parents were always so encouraging for my dreams as a child. I always knew I wanted to leave an imprint. I wanted to be known. I was born to be bigger than the life I had in Chesire. I told them 'I wanna be an actor' and they said 'We'll support you'. Then I told them 'Mom, Dad, I'm gay.' The next second I had a suitcase packed and moved to live with my mate Ed for a year."