Distance

Levi chapter 2

Warning: mild course language.

Hey there, I'm Levi. There's nothing too special about me, but I guess I'll tell you anyways. I've always been weirdly optimistic. I lived my life the way any other normal boy would, I studied hard, had many friends. I practiced bass guitar from the age of 8 and still practice now. Joined a band at 12, of cause only being 12 and 11, we split up after 3 months. I had an older brother who always looked out for me, he helped me with my dyslexia, my anxiety. At the age of 13, my mother passed, my father became an alcoholic, he started getting violent, my brother took the beating. We endured nothing but heart ache and broken bones, we were sleeping in the cage of pure hell. My brother was finally 18 and old enough to move out, he took me with him, i was still having panic attacks. He got a well paying job and we were so happy that we'd finally escaped that bottomless pit of sorrow, hate and the smell of alcohol drifting around every room. Only a few months after the move, year 9 took me into its arms and squeezed me of all my energy, leaving an unhappy 14 year old to drown myself in homework and hormones. School became tough, I was getting into fights on the daily, I started falling behind, failing subjects. The number of people on my contact list started decreasing, until I was left with only my brother and a few people who I knew would stick around for a while longer. Still, I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel, there had to be.

I don't know if it was due to my lack of friends, or the fact that there was nothing driving me away from home anymore, but i started spending more time inside. I drastically gained weight, (which was good because i was miles underweight for my height) and started spending more time on my desk top. I was gaming more, acing first person shooters and finishing story modes, but beta-ing and testing mods eventually became boring and I lost interest in them. I began browsing social media sites and eventually came across a girl on Instagram, she had commented on my picture 'I LOVE YOUR NAME' just like that, in all caps. Her name was Amity. We immediately started talking and within a few days we were best friends.

It was around this time I realised I was gay. First, I told Amity, "As long as you're happy!" She replied with a smiley emoji. Then I told my brother, he was shocked at first, then he seemed fine with it. We all knew what came next, school friends, "I'm gay..." i admitted sheepishly. "pfft, we knew." said a giggling Alexandria. She slipped into the seat next to mine and threw her arm over my shoulders, "Don't tease him, Alex. He'll cry." Nick punched her shoulder playfully, "I'm not gonna cry ya' douche!" I retaliated, kicking his shin softly under the table. 

As a 15 year old, I stopped having panic attacks and eventually became more open with everyone around me, especially Amity. We helped each other, but to help each other we had to tell each other what was wrong, why we were sad. I was less stubborn, looking back on it now, i was still being a twat, just... less.  Yet, she still stuck around. 

I'll never forget the day I was in a video chat with Amity and a few more people. One of Amity's friends, Ellie, wanted Nick to sing, we all sung so he would. Ellie a Sex Pistols song on my request, Amity sung 'Again' by Yui and I sung 'So Ist Es Immer' from the Shingeki No Kyojin soundtrack. Finally, after a no-less-than-hilarious performance, by the three of us (ft. my shitty del and lag,) he finally gave in and sung. Even though if was only a half-assed twinkle twinkle, little star I can definitely say it was worth it!

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hey there!

This is Blaketta, the second author of 'Distance' and it has been an absolute pleasure writing this chapter!

I'd like to apologies for the extended period of time between this chapter and the first. I've actually been across the country visiting some family members for Christmas.

I absolutely love comments, don't forget to check out my page and follow us on Instagram at;

Natalie:  natalie.burlingham

Blaketta: _.bla.ketta._