Illusion

5

The play was the best thing that ever happened to that redneck hell of a school, in my opinion.

Harry did wonderful. I stumbled over my lines a few times but he managed to save me. He gave me the warmest hug when he saw me backstage in tears. I had never messed my lines up before. It was because of his eyes, I just didn't have the guts to tell him.

I figured once the play was over with I never would've heard from Harry again. I figured he would've sunk back into his normal life of popularity and the crowd he was accustomed to. He came back into the theatre class every chance he got. He also stayed in contact with me, more than anyone else.

My friends would kid around and tell me that the onstage chemistry wasn't acting and it was really because we were going to end up married with 17 kids and a dog one day.
I always laughed and shrugged it off. Harry was far too popular for me, he was far too beautiful for me. He had his life ahead of him, he had a girlfriend. I knew once he went off to college he would forget about me. I'm so easily forgettable, I was never anything special.

It wasn't until that one night that Harry called me in tears that I stopped doubting our friendship.

"I just need somebody to talk to" was the first thing he said to me once I answered the phone. His voice gave me chills.
"I'm here, are you okay"

Harry was far from okay. I knew that darkness I sensed from him would come out sooner or later. His girlfriend had pushed him to his limits, turns out even tough guys will take abuse.
I managed to cheer him up though. I always reminded him how special of a person he was. I knew he didn't see it. He was wonderful and caring. He was charming and sweet. He would do anything for anybody... Yet he wouldn't save himself. He would allow others to run him over and ring him dry. It really hurt to see him like that, I knew exactly what it was like to endure that kind of pain.
I stayed on the phone with him until the sun came up. We talked about everything. The conversation never once got boring. He was so uplifting. He was passionate about so many things. I never thought he could be so deep and understanding.

"Is that the sun? Oh goodness Chase I probably should try and sleep now considering I have to be up in a few hours"
"As long as you're okay now" I told him.
"I am. I can't thank you enough.. Goodni--erm.. Morning" he laughed
"Good morning to you too, Harry. Now get some sleep"

I didn't even notice the smile that remained on my face after the call was over. Harry was the type of person that could make flowers grow in the dark just by smiling at them.
I felt those flowers growing.
That was the first time in a while I was able to go to sleep with a will to wake up.
It felt good.
I was addicted.