For as long as George can remember, he's always felt like an outcast. He'd learned to be cautious when letting new people into his life, never allowing anyone to get too close. As time passed he gradually got used to relying solely on himself, but he still desperately wished he could just put himself out there a little more. At the age of twenty-one he's finally ready to take some risks and meet new people, or at least, that's what he's trying to tell himself. As George battles with his self worth and feelings of discouragement, he has a chance encounter with an American stranger in the middle of the night. Could an unlikely friendship between the two change the trajectory of George's life? He certainly hopes so. {t/w}~ alcoholism, abuse, talk of mental health, slight/implied homophobia, panic attacks *there will be a disclaimer in the specific chapters that warnings appear in, some are more mild than others* please stay safe and know that you are loved! this story is purely for practice purposes and is not intended to make anyone uncomfortable, and if it does, i'll take it down right away! now with that out of the way, let's get into the story <3

Mitch Grassi was one complicated 17 year old, but everyone still loved him. His best friends Kirstie and Alex are currently the only ones who know his secret, but they love him or him. Mitch is in need of a job to support his poor family, but life out in LA isn't easy for jobs. He recently graduated from highschool. Meanwhile, Scott Hoying is the kid everyone wishes they were. He has butlers, maids, a model girlfriend, a mansion. Basically everything he could ever ask for. He's currently 18 years old and also recently graduated from highschool. He's known because his Dad runs Hoying enterprises (A well known music company). Something feels like it's missing, but he has everything. Right?

"The only thing I've wanted my entire life was to die, to die, to die. But then -- by a twist of fate you found yourself onboard my dinky little ship and you flashed your stupid smile and you gave me the opposite," he tells me. "What's that?" I ask wearily. "You gave me a reason to live."