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THE DOWNFALL OF FRANCIS GRACE
:: i. | confidence, sir

           "SO TELL ME, FRANCIS ——— what has kept you afloat in Hollywood all these years?" The interviewer ask.

           The blonde, mid twenties man, lightly laughed to himself. A grin came upon his lips as he pondered that question a bit. His lips parted, just about to respond . .

"Confidence, sir." He added, "And being back feels kind of surreal."

            The interviewer adjusted himself in the chair, "Ah, right. You left the spotlight for a few years. Why was that and why return?"

             Francis sighed, "It's not like it was too much before, it's more so on the nose that I never experienced what it's like to be normal, so I wanted to give that a try. It wasn't one hundred percent normal because where I worked at that time, fans still kept coming, but it was the experience." He briefly paused, "I came back because I love acting and delivering great storytelling. This is what I was meant to do."

"So you wouldn't work any other job?"

"I mean, I worked at Glory Days for three years and it seemed pretty chill." He lightly chuckled, "So . . "

The interview only continued from there. Francis talked about upcoming projects, what was in store, and so on. For an interview, that guy wasn't so bad —— at least Francis thought so. He was the first interviewer to ask about what's in the future and just talk about the choices Francis made in the past like leaving the spotlight.

As soon as the interview wrapped as well as the last one of the day, Francis retreated back to his penthouse whom he's sharing with Fallion for the summer. Fallion, his youngest brother, had wrapped a semester up and was now on summer break. He had two choices, to either stay with the parents in Flower Mound, Texas or with one of his brothers in Los Angeles. The lucky winner was his brother Francis of course.

               Francis walked to the door of his penthouse and unlocked it. As soon as he walked in, he was immediately greeted by his brother who stood in his boxers late at night.

               "Saw you on tv, that Jimmy Fallon sure is a talker." Fallion mentioned as Francis locked the front door.

                He completely ignored every word his brother said, "I told you to stop walking around in your underwear. Put some fucking pants on, Fal."

                "Sorry." The youngest brother mumbled.

                Francis waved him off as he began to his bedroom. That day was his first three interviews since being back. He had been back in the spotlight for a few months now. All there ever was since before the interviews was constant auditions and meetings. He's never felt more worn out in his entire life.

               He shut his bedroom door as he pulled out his phone to check his emails. As his finger scrolled through them, a text from Hannah popped up above, then following a text from his other brother, Forrest. His brother mentioned he had good news and Hannah said she was coming over.

               Hannah's Francis' best friend. They met at a premiere party way before his leave from the spotlight and since then, it's been those two. Francis is able to tell her things that he'll think his brothers would judge him for. And that is something he truly treasures.

• • •

                By the time Hannah got there, the gate was already wide open —— he read her text and opened it ahead of time. That is also something she's been nagging him about. Leaving the gate open till someone's arrival is dangerous for creeps to come but he never listens.

After parking in the roundabout driveway, Hannah got out her car and headed to the front door. She pulled out the key that Francis gave her not too long ago because why not. She unlocked the door and soon walked in, locking it back behind her.

                 As soon as she turned around, Fallion stood behind her with a light smile.

                 "Hey, Han. He's in his room."

                  She nodded, "Thanks and hey, you been good?"

Fallion shrugged, "You know me."

                  "As usual that's not an answer."

                  He turned on his heels, heading back to the living room, "It is in my book!"

                  Hannah lightly chuckled to herself as she headed to Francis' room. Once she reached his door, she lightly knocked, announcing herself before walking in. She found her best friend spread out across his bed, on his phone, laying on his stomach.

                 She approached him, slapping his ass, getting his attention, "Let's go."

                 Francis turned over, "It's almost midnight."

"Your point?" She headed back to the bedroom door, "Move it! Let's go!"

Francis knows she doesn't take no for an answer, so he lazily got off the bed and began to the front door, dragging himself behind Hannah.

Once the two got to the door, Hannah opened it and walked out.

Francis followed behind her as he yelled towards his brother, "Be back! Don't burn my place down!"

                  He proceeded to lock the door and met Hannah at her car. After he got in on the passenger's side, the car was turned on and the two were on their way to wherever Hannah was taking them and that was their favorite spot in LA.

                   This spot is called their wholesome spot. As to why that is, that's because it's where their masks can come off and fully let down their walls. Where the two could be honest about what's really going on and their feelings.

                    Hannah thought Francis might need it. It had been awhile and she as well as his brothers have noticed his change of attitude and suddenly shifts of mood. It wasn't abnormal, but it was odd at how often it's been occurring.

• • •

                The two sat on top of the cliff that looked over the city —— this was their wholesome spot. And Francis already knew why they were there.

"Should've known." He commented.

Hannah looked towards him, "It's been awhile since we've been here. I've noticed you've been kind of different and quiet lately. What's been going on?"

                   "Nothing." He shrugged it off.

                   "Francis."

                    He saw that look she always gave him to just talk and get it out. She knew him all too well.

                    The blonde young man deeply sighed, "Coming back wasn't what I thought it was going be like. It's like growing up in the spotlight was a lot easier than this and that says a lot." He briefly paused before continuing, "I think I made the worst and best decision of my life. Leaving felt good in the moment and now that im back . . . I don't know."

                      "Is it all the pressure? All the eyes looking at you?"

                       "I don't know." He threw his arms up, "I just want to scream and have this feeling of emptiness go away."

                        Hannah rested her head on his shoulder, "I'm here for you. You know that."

                         "I don't feel confident anymore. I feel lost." He lastly spoke before going quiet.

                          Him and Hannah continued to sit there through dawn and the early morning. The two watched the sunrise and it was so beautiful. Francis felt like on top of the world as the sun came up, then his current mood settled back in.

                           He was in a funk and he didn't know how to get out of it or if he'll ever get out of it.

                           However, he did have hope.

a/n:
first chapter !! any
thoughts ????