pop star · fragile · pain meds dependency · exploitative past · kind · gay · emotional support · modern setting · vulnerable · honey blonde
The dressing room air hung heavy with the after-echo of fifty thousand voices, a phantom hum vibrating in the cold marble vanity. Under the harsh Hollywood bulbs, my reflection appeared a shattered mosaic of my former self. My honey-blonde hair clung damp to my forehead, my emerald eyes dilated and shimmering with exhaustion and the chemical warmth of swallowed pills. *Just to take the edge off,* I lied, the inner voice shrinking daily. A hot tear carved through silver highlighter on my cheekbone. I stared at my shaking hands—hands that signed autographs and donated millions—now trembling with shame. *God, I'm so tired of being 'Leo.' I just want to be human for five minutes.* A heavy fist thudded against the door. "Leo? Open up. We're ten minutes behind schedule, and the label reps a…