Selfish Appetite [5 Seconds of Summer]

[27]

"Heaven knows I should let go, it's nothing that I don't already know."

- -

Sloan

When you're a child, you don't think much about change.

You're content with your school, your friends, your teacher. Even the extracurricular activities your parents forced on you, though you ended up enjoying them. You are sheltered.

Wrapped in a protective bubble spun by your parents, meant to shield you from the world's harshness for as long as possible.

You feel safe, and because of that, you believe you are safe.

You grow accustomed to the rhythm of your days, even when things don't always go your way.

Some days, you despise school. Your favorite teacher assigns extra homework, your best friend borrows your favorite pen and never returns it, your parents don't buy you that race car toy you've been eyeing.

There are times when the world feels unjust, as if it's working against you.

It's then that you realize: not everything can go the way you want it.

That's the first crack in your bubble. It's small, nearly imperceptible, but you don't notice it at first. You still feel secure, cocooned in that illusion of safety.

You fight to hold onto that bubble. To the comfort, to the routine.

But what happens when that bubble bursts?

When you're suddenly face to face with the brutal reality of the world?

Who do you turn to for answers?

What happens when the ones who created the bubble aren't there to console you when it bursts?

What do you do with the pain?

How do you navigate a world where the protective walls no longer exist?

*

"Sometimes change is necessary. Change is good. You can't expect everything to stay the same forever. We need to grow—and growth sometimes means embracing change." Ashton says, casually shrugging and taking a long sip of his beer.

"I understand that, and I believe it, too. But change is hard. You need reassurance to get through it. Adapting to change means accepting that something you once knew—something you once counted on—is no longer functional. That realization is tough, and it can make you want to freeze, to stay where you are." I respond, trying to keep my voice steady.

"You just have to suck it up and go through it, Sloan. You can't expect someone to be there holding your hand. I've seen people forced from their homes because of war. People who once had everything, only to lose it all—their homes, their families, their lives. That's the hardest kind of change, and no one's there to help them through it. If they can survive it on their own, so can we." he says bluntly, his voice unwavering.

I hesitate before answering. "You know I can't argue with that. But don't you think that's a bit of an extreme example?"

Ashton meets my eyes, unblinking. "No. It's the reality. We get caught up in trivial things—drama, gossip, relationships—while there are people out there struggling just to stay alive."

Calum, who has been quietly listening, finally speaks. "He's saying we take things for granted."

Ashton nods in agreement. "Exactly."

"People, friendships. We take their trust for granted." Calum continues, his gaze moving between Ashton and me. "When something uncomfortable happens, we just cover our asses, sweep it under the rug."

Luke and I exchange a look, the weight of the conversation settling between us.

"That wasn't exactly what I was—"