The Call

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Harry POV

I always knew I was gay. I've always been more gravitated towards guys, and I think that's okay. My family would say otherwise, they despise everything the LGBTQ community stands for; saying that it's a sin and they'll go to Hell, or that it's flat out disgusting. This is why I keep it hidden from everyone. I'd be shunned, kicked out of the house like a stray cat that was begging for food.

On the bright side, I'm almost 18; which means I get to go to college in London to study fashion. Fashion is my outlet from the hardships that come with life. I see a random person and imagine the perfect outfit for them. I already work at a retail store as a fashion assistant, so I'm living my dream minimum wage style. Still, it'll be exciting to leave my hometown of Cheshire and find my own way around the big city.

That's when my phone starts ringing. At four in the morning? It's my boss. He and I don't have any relationship outside of work and we seem to get along, so what would he want this early in the morning? I pick up the phone. I say "Hello" in a voice that sounds wide awake; not like I had to try because I was already up with my head spinning filled with thoughts and dreams that were about to come true. He sounds frantic so I can't understand him. All I could comprehend was

"Harry. Need. Replacement. Fashion Week. San Francisco. Can. Go?". Is he asking me to go to San Francisco for Fashion Week? I quickly respond.

"Yes! Gladly! Oh my gosh! What are the dates? Should I have outfits prepared? Who else is going with-", I'm cut off by a still hectic sounding boss.

"Good. Tomorrow. Yes. No one. By yourself. Have to go. See you. Couple Hours. Bye.", and the phone hangs up.

San Francisco? Me? For Fashion Week? This was my ultimate dream, I didn't think it would come so soon. What would I be doing there? I'm not an actual designer, model, judge, makeup artist, anything they actually need. I hop into the shower with these repeating thoughts now my main focus.

I walk into work with a mix of excited, confused, and almost worried emotions flooding my entire body. My boss walks towards me quicker than usual, saying to follow him to his office to discuss the business trip.

I walk into the all too familiar luxurious office with a large glass desk and a big black office chair with two black comfy chairs resting across from the desk. I take a seat in one of the chairs as he sits across from me. He leans in too close for my comfort, almost making me uneasy but he's known for getting like that with people. I should know first hand from what he did to me. He leans back when he realizes that I'm starting to get red and look away from our eye contact uncomfortably.

"I'm afraid of you going to San Francisco on your own but you're the only one that can. Promise me you won't screw anything up." I'm shocked at the way he sounded, almost annoyed with me- what did I do? I respectfully nod my head and just as I'm about to get up he stops me.

"Good luck, Harold." I quickly scatter out of the room and out of the store to go home and pack my bags. A week in San Francisco will be just what I need to escape until I find the courage to reveal to everyone who I really am.

I'm in my walk-in closet circling all my fancy, bold suits I could wear for Fashion Week. I know I'm only working as an assistant for one of the models I'll be assigned to when I get there, but I wanna wear these suits at some point. This seems like the perfect time to wear them. I neatly put the suits in my suitcase and look at them with fascination. I can never get over my bold fashion taste of floral or distinct patterned suits. It lets me show part of who I am without any risk of being betrayed by my own family. I hear the doorbell ring and I open it to see a man and a cab in my driveway. I put my head up in confidence as I made my way to the cab.

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