The Beauty of Anonymity

Chapter 3

Harry sighed as he got yet another update that night. It was already 21:07 and he was getting slightly tired, but refused to look pathetic in front of his writing hero. Already, the story was at 20,000 words and Harry’s hands burned pleasantly from the typing. He had already updated chapter seven and had started chapter eight. He was absolutely knackered, but he refused to give in to the sounds of his bed calling him. Immediately after he sent it, he received an email from StripesEqualLove.

StripesEqualLove: Hey, mate, it’s already 22:03 and I’m sure we’re both sick and tired of the story for now. Maybe if we just chat for a bit?

Harry let out a breath in relief.

thescriptthefray: Sure! Yeah, I’m starting to get a headache.

StripesEqualLove: Oh, that sucks! :P But honestly, I don’t blame you. I’m exhausted.

thescriptthefray: Trust me, I am too.

StripesEqualLove: So how’s school going for you?

thescriptthefray: It’s alright. To be honest, I’ve only been going for a little while cause we had to move mid-year.

StripesEqualLove: You mean move to Doncaster? You said that you had been bullied before...

thescriptthefray: Yeah. It wasn’t exactly the best situation so my mom decided it was time we moved. She got a job here and voila.

StripesEqualLove: Aw, I’m sorry :(

thescriptthefray: Don’t be- you weren’t the bully.

StripesEqualLove: I’m still sorry that happened to you.

thescriptthefray: Well, on to lighter topics. When did you know that you wanted to write?

StripesEqualLove: Um... I guess around two years ago I made a Wattpad account. I had expected to just read, but I started getting inspired. About a month after I made my account, I wrote a few small oneshots and such that I put on here and gained a few fans for. I was one of the only guys posting boyxboy fluff and stuff so I guess I just got sorta popular on here. How about you?

thescriptthefray: Yeah, I had expected just to read too, but I wrote a bit and my sister convinced me to post it on Wattpad. I just sorta wrote because the fictional worlds I created were better than my reality. I guess since then I’ve been writing practically nonstop over the last two days :P

StripesEqualLove: Yeah, this is way more than I usually write, but I used to write for the same reasons. Now, I have a few friends and I guess I just write because I can live out fantasies and fairytales through them.

The conversation continued for far longer than either had intended and both ended up going to sleep at almost two in the morning.

“Well, hello there, sunshine.” Zayn told Louis Thursday morning.

“Go away, Zayn. I’m tired.” Louis said.

“Why?” Zayn questioned curiously.

“I was up until two in the morning, that’s why.” Louis growled.

“That still doesn’t fully answer my question.”

“I was chatting with a friend from Wattpad, ok?” Louis grumbled. Zayn laughed boisterously.

“You’ve got a crush don’t you?!”

“We’ve only talked for like three days!” Louis shouted.

“Doesn’t mean you don’t have a crush on the lad.” Zayn sniggered.

“Oh shut up and leave me in peace.” Louis said, flipping Zayn off. Zayn chuckled and rolled his eyes before continuing to his art class. Not much happened that day besides more updates intermittently from thescriptthefray and Harry and Louis’ last practice for theatre. Their scene was practically perfect and both were anxious for Friday. By the time the two climbed into bed, it was already one and both were excited to already be over halfway into the story. Yet again, they had admittedly talked for an hour by email.