zakynthos

The fireworks metaphor was a nice touch. The ending seems far from happy to me. Richard's main dilemma throughout the story was - what was his role in his own story. He wondered who was the main character in his own life. He rightly assumed he was only playing a bit role. In the end - he chooses a supporting role character part - as now he will be the "good friend" supporting Stu and Nicholas. I guess Richard's life story could be titled ( in keeping with the Dickens theme) - Low Expectations.

That's a really interesting thought. Be kind of funny if it was Stu's handiwork. Stu seems too low key and up beat to engage in vindictive acts like that. I could see him leaving some graffitti - but not outing someone else. It would be even funnier if it turns out that the bathroom wall claim is not even true. The passionate make out session at the party may be all that has happened between Stu and Nicholas.

Wow - what a great chapter. the most amazing thing I think was that Richard actually read the entirety of David Copperfield. Current level of ADHD in school kids today makes that a gold medal olympic feat. Seems like everyone is hating Nicholas in a major way. True - Nicholas has violated all 3 vices listed - Mean Cruel and False - indicating he may be a total narcissitic asshole. That may be all there is to him - but it seems to me that we actually don't know that much about his motivations as to why he ghosted Richard in such a callous mean spirited way. We really don't know much about him other than the cruel way he treated a supposed close friend I can't help wondering if there is something more going on that we and Richard don't know We know he is super afraid of being outed ( his friend Darren's violent reaction seems to justify a healthy dose of fear) and extreme fear can exert an insanely strong influence

While Richard's final awakening and realization was shocking to him - but kind of needed. If it wasn't so sad (and mean) - I would be laughing at the comic turn of events - way out of the closet Stu publically snogging way way undercover Nicholas. How upside down can it get. Not sure who is suffering more - Richard or Nicholas - This story has become a real tragedy.

You have to really admire Richard's ability to be so so optimistic in the face of glaring reality I guess some people truly can't understand that the house is on fire until they are standing in the burnt out ashes. The good news is that he will be forced to wake up soon enough . He seems so accepting of everyone elses reality - just not his own The big question is will Nicholas wake up or is he beyond any salvation. As Joni Mitchell once wisely proclaimed - you dont know what you've got 'til it's gone

I thought he did come out to them - they just weren't listening doesn't that still count? Guess I need to go back and reread that chapter. The parents not being able to listen might explain why his sister is so loud

Reading your stories - for me - is is kind of like watching a magician perform. I ultimately am wondering - how does he do it. I sometimes suspect you may be a wizard waving a pen and creating these characters out of the ethers - but a sinister wizard because of the pied piper effect. read one chapter and I become entranced and can't not continue reading My big question however wasn't the elevator emergency override omission - no no no - the real strange bit fo me was Theo climbing into elevator. The only other person in the building that was a potential lifeline - entered into the danger zone without a lifeline. This does actually happen in real life emergency situations and both rescuer and victim perish as a result. Pretty sure that Theo's emergency response manual would not condone such an action I agree though - that such a dumb move is needed for the story to be good 😆

really awesome flipping of the script. totally fun !!! Pretty sure Richard's best laid plans will suffer the slings and arrows but there may be a silver lining waiting for him in the end. great chapter

Truly enjoying this crazy tale. Nothing much happened this chapter but the stage is being set for something explosive. The art teacher sees it. Richard has experienced so many shocking changes all in a way too short period of time. He is smart and perceptive, but that has been shut down as he tries to hang on to the one good thing in his life - Nicolas - by closing his eyes and embracing his boyfriends selfish manipulation. Problem is that he is chasing a bus that has already left town Will it all blow up in his face or will he blow up as he faces it? So many possibilities - both good and bad. Hey - it's never easy facing truths but he may find himself in the end

Have you ever been hit by a high velocity soccer ball? It can break bones (and has) That was a pretty cheap shot by Sandro - Seems like crying "bully" doesn't really apply

Seems like Mark did make an effort to repair the damage - it might have helped if he could have been returned Sandro-s honesty in kind. But had that happened - there would be no story to tell 😉

I loved the imagery of this - I think it was really powerful ( the words not the emojis - although they were pretty good also 😁)

What a start to a story. Adrift was a perfect title to the chapter. Poor guy has to be in a state of shock I did like his response to the dumb teacher question about David Copperfield. I thought the response was great (expectations) I don't know where this is going but the gut punch beginning has me hooked find out

This morning's banter was funny so thanks for the early mornimg humor Lonely isolated teenager on a ranch (probably not much club action happening in town ) just got an early Christmas present I am guessing he is anxious to inwrap Kind of reminded me of this scene from ANIMAL HOUSE

It is appaerent she is just protecting her own interets. If Owen is exposed - her scam will also be exposed. All of her actions including giving her "good friend" a day off - are about using Owen for her own needs. Lets face it everyone except Ryder is using the guy Owen is an equivalent of a cult member mind control. Worrying about which college to attend or how he can pay for tuition are the least of his worries.

This party is a total total metaphor of "The Closet" for Owen. Ryder will definitely be there - for Owen. He really doesn't need to do anything else other than show up. Just the presence of an "unknown stranger" in Owen's circle of well meaning "jailers" will cause this coffin like "Closet" to crack open. Whether Owen can escape it or not will really be up to him. I think Ryder's mere presence will allow Owen to really make a choice. Will he remain in hiding or step out and grab his future Owen has actually made the choice already in his head - he just needs to be honest for once with the people in his life who all seem to be pretty clueless. Oh - he also needs to dump his so called "best friend" who using him pretty shamelessly

This chapter's comments were great and raised a lot of valid red flags, but Chris191070 calm observation expressed as a hope for Ryder having positive intentions really grabbed my attention. I think Chris191070 is right by saying at this point we really don't know enough about Rhyder yet - so he could be a blessing or a curse to Owen. As pointed out by NDrewRndll - we don't even know if he has a last name🤔 As far as him being dominated by Ryder - well isn't Owen already being dominated and controlled by his "best friend" and his entire family? I think there are some pretty good clues in the story indicating that Ryder has Owen's best interests at heart and likes him well enough to want to free him and not just become Owen's new owner. To be fair - Owen sees the hijacked life he is living - but without help seems powerless to change course Great chapter

I had attended a college in southeastern Ohio way back before the internet so we had to use maps to find places. I kind of remembered some of the Ohio cities like Zanesville and Cambridge but I thought Youngstown was located more to the north. After a quick map consult it turns out that while Owen will have a nice short excursion - Ryder's drive will be a couple of hours. Was this an app glitch or is Ryder really motivated to make this meetup happen. Hopefully he leaves early and doesnt keep Owen waiting too long 😁

Kind of surprised by Wylan's restrained meeting with Ishan. Seemed pretty detached and almost uncaring. Wylan went into Jerusalem at great risk to save him and now he is just kind of - "not much I can do to help you out - you're on your own" More important question though - is: What - no wake up coffee this morning? 🥱

Dodger keeps threatening us with the story being completed but right now he keeps adding more irons into the (plot) fire with no end in sight😁. This in no way a criticism as I am loving the never ceasing trials and tribulations of Robbie and definitely hoping poor Dodger can keep up with the chronicling of young Robbie's adventuresand misadventures. Although Robbie is still a little bit of a schemer - it seems like he uses his powers with good intentions (most of the time.) The thing I like the most about Robbie is his ability to try to be really honest with himself about his own motivations and interactionswith others. Maybe that honest self insight is what enables him to clearly see through everyone elses masks and manipulations. I guess he is basically deeply kind hearted (except when he is throwing bats at his abusive friends) Big thanks to Dodger for keeping this going all these years -

If there is a death - Colt would be guilty - Everyone is assuming that only George would be injured (just as Blake was) but in reality - anyone driving on the highway passing by George's death trap auto would be at risk. These two kids dont seem to be too concerned about the killing and any other possible "collateral damage" I am having a hard time time rooting for them at this point. Maybe there will be some sort of dumb luck event that saves them from their own stupidity.

I have been enjoying the story and am looking forward to more I like Noah's genuine honesty with himself. about his feelings towards his friends and his parents but mostly his attraction to Leo. He is far from perfect as he struggles to understand how to proceed with Leo and his parents. I guess it's his sincerity that I am finding to be his endearing quality as he is trying to understand and redefine his long standing relationships that makes me want to see more of his story. It's seems he has a lot to learn

Just wanted to give a bit of support to your writing - I totally did not get any sense of coercion ocurring when I read the story scene. I also think manipulate is fair to say. Calling manipulation a form of forcing is really a stretch. In certain contexts - it could be interpreted as a type of phyosical control - but that definitely was not what was described as far as Dylan's experience with Ryan. It seemed like Dylan was a willing enough participant. 😉

Thanks for adding the context behind your words With some background context - Poetry can be so powerful as well as beautiful! Sadly - without the context - something important is often lost

he thought he'd renamed it *Thorn* in a moment of sentimentality that Val would never let him live down. Only wankers named their swords. Well - of course - only those who have swords can wank them and/or name them. Goes without saying. Not sure Wylan should be considering a "joust" with a guy who names his sword "thorn" The imagery is a bit scary