Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
3:33 PM 05/09/16

Hi, Oli. Did you have a good day?

He's already messaged me. School's been out for 45 minutes, which means he probably messaged me almost as soon as he got home. Oh my god.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
3:34 PM 05/09/16

Hi, Ty. My day was good. My friend gave me a scone at lunch. That was the highlight of my day. Wby? Did you have a good day?

I decide not to tell him about Baz. I don't want to give myself away.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire216
To: littleprince216
3:36 PM 05/09/16

It was great. I talked to a cute boy. I had some lemonade from Starbucks, too. The only thing it was missing was you, sweet boy.

Holy mother of god this boy will be the death of me.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: strasonfire97
3:37 PM 05/09/16

I wish I could have texted you today. I hate that this is our only way of communicating. I want to talk to you all day not just when I get home.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
3:38 PM 05/09/16

Me too, Oli, but I kind of like it. It's like a reward at the end of the day for making it through school. It's nice.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
3:39 PM 05/09/16

I like to think of it that way too, but it also makes me want to stay home so I can talk to you all day.

I can't believe I'm being this flirtatious. I mean, we met yesterday. But what I'm saying isn't a lie. I kind of love talking to Ty. He understands me. And he makes me flustered. I like it.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
3:40 PM 05/09/16

I couldn't even begin to imagine having your company for an entire day, sweet boy. I wouldn't even know what to do with myself.

Oh my god, he really is adorable.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: startsonfire97
3:41 PM 05/09/16

Oh, please. I'm not as interesting as you make me seem.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
3:42 PM 05/09/16

I doubt that very much. Why don't you tell me what you like? What are your absolute favourite things? Tell me it all.

He's insane. He's absolutely mad. Completely off his nut.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
3:43 PM 05/09/16

I like to paint, actually. I'm not one for realistic paintings but I like the feel of the brush on the canvas, the way it flows. And the feeling of painting on myself is so comforting. The paint is always smooth and cold and that relaxes me, I guess. I don't know, I just love it. It's one of my favourite things in the world.

I don't know why I'm being so open. Perhaps it's because it's completely anonymous. Because I won't be embarrassed or hurt because neither of us knows who the other is. Because I can say how I really feel and have no judgment.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
3:44 PM 05/09/16

My lord, you're absolutely adorable, aren't you? I'm glad that you have something like that, something that keeps you calm. I play the violin, to calm me down. I like to lose myself in the music. That's what relaxes me.

Oh my god. The violin. He's amazing. He's..... Captivating. And interesting. And absolutely amazing. I can feel the heat in my cheeks.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
3:45 PM 05/09/16

That's amazing. Do you have a favourite song to play? I don't play any instruments, but I love listening to music.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
3:46 PM 05/09/16

Into my arms by Nick Cave is my favourite to play. Who do you listen to, mostly? I prefer the 1975, Kodaline, and Hozier. I guess I like indie music. Some alternative. But I don't hate any other bands, I guess I just haven't gotten into them. Maybe you could introduce me to something new, Oli.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
3:50 PM 05/09/16

Something new, huh?

I listened to the song. You can play that? That's amazing, Ty. You're incredible, honestly. I listen to a lot of Troye Sivan, Twenty One Pilots, some Panic! At the Disco. My favourite song right now is Youth, by Troye. I'm going to check out your bands, right now. Any favourites by them?

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
3:51 PM 05/09/16

My absolute favourite song right now is Cherry Wine. It's by Hozier. For the rest of them I pretty much like all of their songs. And while you listen to Cherry Wine, Prince Oli, I will listen to Youth.

I listen to the song. It's soft and his voice is raspy, but also kinds of melts into my ears like honey. It's beautiful. I don't think I've ever heard a prettier song. We message each other at the same time.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
3:55 PM 05/09/16

That song is so pretty. So so so pretty. Wow. I'm speechless.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
3:55 PM 05/09/16

I like Youth. I like Troye. He's cute. But, unfortunately, not as cute as you, sweet boy.

I'm glad you like it, Oli. I'm trying to write sheet music for it to play on violin.

He thinks that I am cuter than Troye Sivan. He hasn't even seen me. He thinks I'm cuter than Troye Sivan. My face hurts from smiling.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
3:57 PM 05/09/16

Ty, you have a crazy effect on me.

"Simon!"

Shit. I was supposed to make dinner before he got home. Shit shit shit.

"Hi, dad!" I call, swinging open my door and rushing downstairs.

"Have you made dinner?" He asks, kicking his boots carelessly to the side.

"N-no. Sorry. Not yet. I was- um, I was doing homework." I stutter, following him into the kitchen, his bag thrown carelessly onto the ground.

"Simon, we talked about this. You have plenty of time to do your homework after you make dinner. Why can't you ever listen?"

"S-sorry I'll um. I can make some grilled cheese and soup. Nice and quick. You won't have to wait long, I promise." I say, putting on a smile and walking over to the fridge.

He gives me a once over and sighs, shaking his head. "Fine. But get your fucking shit together, got it?" He says, sternly, his hand hitting the counter as he speaks.

I nod, getting out the cheese and butter. "It won't happen again."

"It better not," He grumbles, walking out of the kitchen, a beer in his hand.

He must have had a good day. He's being nicer than usual.

—

When I get back to my computer I have four messages from Ty.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
4:02 PM 05/09/16

A crazy effect? You have no idea, baby boy.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
4:08 PM 05/09/16

As crazy as it is you're the thing I look forward to most.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
4:13 PM 05/09/16

I mean, this is the most thrilling thing that's ever happened to me. Talking to you is so refreshing, I never want to stop.

Direct Message
From: strarsonfire97
To: littleprince216
4:24 PM 05/09/16

I know you're probably busy and it's only been about half an hour but I miss you and I hope you're okay.

Oh my god. He misses me? He misses me. And he hopes I'm okay. And he finds talking to me refreshing. And I think I'm falling in love.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
4:33 PM 05/09/16

Hi hi, I'm back. I forgot that I had to make dinner for my dad, so I had to leave for a bit, sorry. I'm glad to hear that you think talking to me is refreshing because I love talking to you. I would hate it if you found me boring.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
4:36 PM 05/09/16

Get bored of YOU? Never. You're more interesting than you think, Oli. The thrill of talking to you is better than anything in my life right now.

I'm better. Than anything. In his life. Right now. I cannot believe this. I cannot believe this.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
4:38 PM 05/09/16

Better than ANYTHING in your life? That's huge. What's your life like anyway?

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
4:40 PM 05/09/16

Well, I already told you about my father. He's strict. He's constantly trying to set me up with girls, despite me telling him i'm completely gay. And my mother died when I was very young, but I still remember her. I dream about her sometimes. I have a couple siblings, all girls. I have a step-mother as well, she's lovely, but she will never amount to my mother. My mother... Well, my mother hung the moon. I remember her fingers, always rough and callused yet always able to calm me down. "It's okay little puff." She would whisper. God, I miss her so much.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
4:42 PM 05/09/16

Oh, Ty. I'm sorry. She sounds lovely. I'm sorry that you lost her. I couldn't imagine. I don't have a mother either. I don't know if that helps or if it's worse.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
4:43 PM 05/09/16

It's okay, Oli. Tell me about it, sweet boy.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
4:44 PM 05/09/16

Well, she died during childbirth so I never knew her. But I've seen pictures. She was very beautiful. Beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes. She had very fair skin. I think my dad blames me for her death. I think I do too.

I probably shouldn't tell you this but I've been living with this for 18 years and I need to get it off my chest. My dad has always blamed me for my mom's death. He was fine in my early life, and it's always been a struggle for him, being a single parent and all. But he lost his job when I was 9 and that's when he started drinking. He got really bad. He was drunk every night when I got home from school. And I started to fend for myself. So he started to depend on me. I made dinner, I cleaned the house and made sure that everything was nice and tidy, only for him to come home drunk and mess everything up. I remember being 9 years old and my dad came home after being out all night with a group of his friends who were hammered. Completely slobbered drunk and I remember laughing because of something one of them said, and that's when he noticed I was there. And his friends cheered him on when he started. Punch after punch. 'Go on Davy! Get that twat!' I remember it so clearly. That's how it all started. If I mess up at all he goes at it again. He hasn't done it in a while. I thought he was going to do it tonight because I forgot to make dinner, but I guess he had a good day because he only got mad. It was a relief.

I hit send before I can think twice. I take in a shaky breath and readjust my position, pulling one leg under me and the other up to my chest, resting my chin on top of it. There are tears brimming my eyes. I/t's an amazing feeling to get this off my chest. He's threatened to kill me if I told anyone. But Ty doesn't know who I am, so he can't possibly do anything about it. There's no way my dad can find out, and there's no way I can suffer the consequences. It's a safe way out.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
4:47 PM 05/09/16

He beats you? Oli you need to tell someone. He's been doing it for almost 10 years. That's not okay. At all. I cannot express how angry I am that you have to go through that Fuck, I wish I could do something. Fucking fuck I'm so mad.

I shouldn't have told him. He's really angry. And he wants me to tell someone. How do I tell him I can't? How do I tell him my dad will kill me if I say a word? Fuck. I really shouldn't have told him.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: staronfire97
4:48 PM 05/09/16

It's okay, Ty. I have it under control. I just make sure that I don't mess up and that I do what he says. If I tell someone it's practically suicide. After one of the first times he hit me he told me that if I said a word to anyone about this that he wouldn't hesitate to kill me. I can't tell anyone. You're an exception. You are the only person I have ever told. You cannot tell anyone. Please. If my father finds out I can guarantee that I will be beaten to a pulp. Please.

He doesn't reply for a while so I start on my English homework. We're reading through Romeo and Juliet so we can act it out during class to make sure everyone understands it. I open up the book and lean back in my chair, sliding my glasses onto my face. I keep glancing at my computer screen, waiting for a reply.

"Simon?" someone says through the door, knocking softly on the wood.

"Come in," I say, shutting my book as well as my laptop, sitting straight in my chair and spinning it to face the door.

My dad walks in with a beer in his hand, his shoulder leaning against the door frame. "Thanks for making dinner. I have some news." He takes a swig from his beer and smiles at me. Smiles. He hasn't smiled at me in months.

I spread my lips in what I hope looks like a real smile and try to hide my shaking. "What is it, dad?"

"I got a raise," He grins, raising his beer and taking another swig, longer than the last.

I smile wider. "That's great! It's about time Kevin has noticed you're hard work," I laugh out nervously, pushing my glasses up my nose.

He chuckles and steps closer to me. My muscles instinctively tense. "You're right, kiddo." He reaches out and I can't stop myself from flinching. He pauses for a moment then reaches out again and ruffles my hair. He avoids my eyes as he turns back to the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Simon. Sleep well." He says, walking out of the room with his head down. He shuts the door, barely looking at me. A pang of guilt hits me. I spin back around in my chair and open my laptop. I have 6 messages from Ty.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
4:56 PM 05/09/16

I'm not going to tell anyone. I'm not going to pressure you to talk to anyone. But please, please tell me if he does anything.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
5:01 PM 05/09/16

I'm sorry for taking a while to reply. I had to calm down. You have no idea how fucking angry I am.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
5:06 PM 05/09/16

Please tell me you're okay right now.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
5:14 PM 05/09/16

Oli, I know we only just met but I'm here for you okay? I can't imagine what you go through on a daily basis.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
5:25 PM 05/09/16

Oli, where are you? Is he yelling at you right now? Are you okay? Please tell me you're okay.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
5:27 PM 05/09/16

I swear to god if I ever find out who you are I'm going to beat the shit out of him, Oli. It makes me so fucking mad that he does that.

I run my fingers in my hair and smile. He really seems to care about me. It's kind of scary, actually.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
5:30 PM 05/09/16

I'm here. I'm okay. I'm sorry I was gone for so long, my dad came in to talk to me. He got a raise, which explains why he's so calm tonight. He didn't hurt me, I promise. I'm okay.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
5:31 PM 05/09/16

Thank god. I'm glad that he's being nice. How long will it last do you think?

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
5:31 PM 05/09/16

Well, when he usually gets like this it only lasts a day but I have a feeling this one will be longer. He's been working at this place for 9 years and not once has he got the recognition he thinks he deserves. So I think it will last a while.

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
5:32 PM 05/09/16

That's good. I don't want him to hurt you.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
5:33 PM 05/09/16

I know. Can we um, stop talking about this, please? I just want to not think about it. I need a distraction, okay?

Direct Message
From: starsonfire97
To: littleprince216
5:34 PM 05/09/16

A distraction? Well, how about I give you some more music?

I grin and pull the sleeve of my sweater up over my hand, resting it on my knee and resting my chin on top of it. He's so sweet. So so sweet. I just wanna hug him. I want to find out who he is so I can hug the hell out of him.

Direct Message
From: littleprince216
To: starsonfire97
5:35 PM 05/09/16

Music sounds wonderful.