Becoming a YouTuber?!

Chapter 35: A contemplative walk around London with a friend

When Connor had told me that he was coming to London briefly because Calvin Klein had invited him to an event, I'd been beyond thrilled. Firstly because I knew how much it would matter to Connor that a brand like that recognised him and secondly because I got to see my American friend.

Some days, it felt like proper spring with the light breeze and the not-too-hot sunshine but other days were still grey and rainy. The unpredictable and rather gloomy weather came along with living in the UK but I could never see myself moving abroad and away from everything I knew.

I liked the grey days and I did like living in London most of the time. I had come to appreciate the city more after getting Patch because I'd take him on walks around areas that weren't too busy and it gave me a chance to view the city I had been living in for over three years a little differently.

When I was walking with Patch, it wasn't about rushing to catch the tube or dragging my ass home after a tough day at university or Gleam. The former of those was coming to an end soon and I was finishing up the last touching on my final project, which I had focussed on social media and more specifically why YouTubers' followings trusted the recommendation of people they'd seen on a screen for years. I had chosen to use the insider knowledge I had already and the connection I had at Gleam. It was so interesting to look at the whole thing from an academic standpoint and actually understand what was happening.

But it was a stressful time and the prospect of actually finishing university still terrified me more than I was willing to admit. Talking a lot of walks with Patch helped and so did Nate whether he accompanied me on the walks or held me a little tighter when he sensed I was on the brink of having a break down.

Connor and I shared a love for walks and it was probably inevitable that when he came here and he chose to stop by our flat the only evening he had fairly free to have a meal and then headed out for a walk with me and Patch.

Nate had work to do and I think he secretly knew that I would like to just take a walk with Connor and catch up one-on-one. Nate seemingly got on with Connor as well as I did but Nate got on with almost everyone he met.

It was a lovely dinner and wonderful conversation and high praise for the Sunday roast Nate and I had put together, even if it wasn't Sunday at the moment. You were allowed to cheat when a long-distance friend came over.

We'd not walked for very long when I heard Connor draw in a deep breath and watch a small but content smile settle on his lips. I knew he loved London for a very personal reason. I had been fortunate enough, or maybe stubborn and pestering enough – depending on whom you asked – to get my hands on an advanced copy of Connor's second book note to self. I had loved his first book a lot and it had been wonderful to learn about his history and experiences but this second one was different.

It was much more personal and lifted the lid on just how hard his break-up had hit him and also brought up how he'd been dealing with depression, both during college and recently. I admired him so much for opening up like that and wondered if I could ever be that honest with any stranger who picked up a book.

I interlocked my arm with his and Connor shot me a smirk and moved his head to rest momentarily against mine. We were walking to a dog park near our flat where I could let Patch off lead.

"Reminiscing?" I asked him.

"Yes," Connor replied. "I haven't been to London in ages and this time I'm not running away from something. It feels different coming back with a lighter heart."

It had been just over a year since his break-up and I knew it had taken a lot to get over the curly haired boy, who stopped being his. Connor had intertwined himself with another human and even through all the long-distance; they'd grown so close.