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Their other 2 room mates had snuck out to see if they could get in clubs with their sparce French and lacking IDs. Ben had wished them luck. To mad about the break up to go with them. He'd lied and said he didn't want to get in trouble at home.
In truth, his dad would probably be proud if he got caught and talk about what he got up to at his age.
To Ben's surprise, Harry had also stayed behind. He'd given the same excuse.
They'd killed time by endlessly scrolling their phone in silence. At 10, the hotel turned the wifi off, forcing them back to their curent condition. Friendless, lonely, and angry.
Harry always tried to pass his hurt to someone else. Whether by insults or plain assault his attempts always failed.
"So why did you guys break up?" Harry asked. From the bed he was laying on. Getting no response he made his way to Ben's bed.
When he snatched his phone out of his hand he was met with a annoyed look, followed by Ben taking a ear bud out.
"Benny boy!! " he said with a grin. "What was that dinner show about?"
"Nothing. I was going to break up with her. She probably knew and decided to be a bitch about it." Ben answered. Before holding his hand out and saying phone.
"Not so fast, Benny boy. That's not the whole truth, is it?"
Harry said like he was corecting a toddler.
"You really have nothing better to do, Horrold?"
"Come on, did you cheat on her or something?" Said jokingly.
When he saw Ben go red, he knew hed foud a weak spot.
"Ahh, benny boy the cheater. Dear old dad would be proud."
Ben's shame turned to anger in an instant. Phone forgotten. His only goal was punching the blond bully.
The first punch hit his eye, the next was in his stomach. The rest where frantic slaps on Harry's back ending in sobs.
The boys colapsed on the bed. Both in pain.
"Whats going on in there?" Mister F screamed from the other side of the door.
"Nothing," they answered in unison.
The boys stayed intangled on the bed catching their breath.
"Do you think your dad would ever let you be happy?" Ben asked, breaking the silence.
"I am happy" harry answered in a raspy voice.
Ben chuckled. "You asked me to be honest, but you can't even be honest yourself. We both know you're here because you don't have any friends left. Those guys asked you because they needed a walking wallet.
'I don't want to get in trouble' Your dad doesn't give a shit. He's not even going to ask you why your eye's black."
Ben thought the silence after ment he'd won the argument. But Harry had only one way to deal with his pain, and ben was the only person he could spread it to.
"At least my parents are still together. What's it now, steph mom number 3? Do you think numbers 4 will be your age?"
Ben didn't want this fight. Everything Harry said was true. His dad was a cheat or as he called it 'a ladies man'.
His mom hadn't called it that when she told him about the divorce. His grandmother had called it 'a forgivable lapse in judgement' nothing to make a fuss about.
His mom had told him he could visit whenever he wanted. But she didn't offer to bring him. Even if he asked his dad would never take him. He knew what happed when his dad was told anything he didnt like. Hed made that mistake when he told him one of his clasmates was cute.
That had resulted in a change of school, a new nanny, and a different house. One of those must have coused his sons lapse in judgement.
"No come back, Hope?"
"You win Harry. You feel better now?"
"You can't go that easy on me." Harry's smug smile faded as he laid eyed on ben.
He was staring blankly at the sealing his eyes pooring a steady stream of tears. Staing his pillow.
"Everything you said was true. You want to know another true thing. I wont be here next year. Dad is taking me out again."
"What father son bonding trip is it going to be this time. Hunting in the US, maby this trip, hell realy make a man out of you." Harry said in a gruff voice.
"Can you be serious for once. You're the only one who knows. You're the only guy not banned from my house. I know you're not stupid. Even you can connect manly 'bonding trips', no boys alowwed, and periodic school changes that cut me off from all my friends."
Harry tried to not let that last part hurt. Ben didnt mean it as a dig at him. It was just the truth. They weren't friends, more like acquaintances. Their dads ran in the same circles.
"I'll tell you something true, you're dad should ban me from your house too."