Nameless // Van McCann

8. Are You Alright?

You must think I've gone rock bottom saying my hobby was building computers but hear me out. My computer is literally my baby. I bought my computer off my workmate several years ago. Said he had too many and needed the money so he was willing to part with it for less than market value if he knew it was going to a good home.

He invited me to his house to take a look. It was just your average computer but better than what you'd buy at the store so I took it. Over the years, I bought parts to make it better, stronger, and faster. Now the thing is a bloody beast worth thousands. Even Bondy's in awe with what it's capable of.

I'm always a bit hesitant telling people what my hobby is. As you already know, my favorite hobby is getting into all kinds of illegal trouble. Getting involved in other people's business for my own benefit brings me joy. Having that much power is addicting and people don't realize how easy it is to get this information. Now I can't tell her that's my real hobby or else I'll never be able to go on a second date so I say I build computers for fun which is partially true. You'll find assorted computer parts that I've collected over the years from people not wanting them. It's a shame to see things go to waste so I like to keep things and save them. You never know when you need a motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and power supply some day! My collection got out of hand to the point Bondy would catch me bringing home things all the time.

"I see you brought home more junk. Great," Bondy stated, unimpressed. I bit my tongue because I knew if I talked back, it wasn't going to end well.

To make Bondy happy and to make more money, I began sifting through my "junk" to build computers to sell. I didn't realize how much I had until I built four computers to sell at a couple hundred each. I pocketed the money to—you guessed it—buy drugs and cigarettes.

I've smoked cigarettes since I was a young boy. I remember trying to hide it from me mum and dad but they eventually found out. Not long after that, I discovered weed. I've always had anxiety growing up so I smoked weed to reduce it. I enjoy being high. I'm more creative and happier.

Things got worse when I went to uni. At the time, computer science was starting to take off so there was a lot of competition. I felt incapable most of the time so I spent many nights staying up trying to catch up but that only hurt me in the end as I was so tired and couldn't stay awake in class. I thought things would get better once I graduated and started working but it didn't. It only got worse. Everyone I work with is intelligent and is always trying to prove their worth. I've had people steal my ideas and claim it as theirs to get promoted and if you didn't meet a certain number, you were at a higher risk of being let go. Everyday I came to work stressed and I even brought it home—hence why my previous relationship didn't work out. My friend suggested using drugs to cope and that's when my addiction started. That's enough background for now. Time to get back to the story, yeah?

Liv's eyes widened and she went silent. "I'm sorry for laughing. I thought you were joking but that's a cool hobby. I don't know how to fix a computer, let alone build one," she said quickly. "I feel like such a jerk for laughing."

"S'alright. I don't mind, really. Everyone has their own thing they're interested in. Like for me, I'm not much of a hiker," I said, shaking my head in disapproval.

"You're mad. How can you not enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature?" She seemed genuinely upset I didn't like hiking.

"There are plenty of ways to appreciate Mother Nature that doesn't involve physical exertion, ya know." I was pushing her buttons but was enjoying it too much.

"Like how? Enlighten me," she tested.

"Well for starters, we're taking Cookie out for a walk. The street is lined with trees and greenery. I reckon that's Mother Nature." I grinned so she knew I was teasing and she playfully hit my arm.