The fuck you mean I got a problem? I just like to enjoy myself, goddammit!
Really? So when you get drunk off your ass, beat your partner, cheat on them, stare creepily at randoms and more, you enjoy yourself? Are you kidding me?
Look, I ain't proud of how I've been. But what the fuck do you know about what it's like being me?
“Oh yeah, I bet it’s tough having all those STDs while cheating on your partner.” I say sarcastically.
Oh, so now you're gonna be a smartass, huh? You don't know shit, kid. I'm just trying to have some fucking fun in this messed up world.
I sit on the couch next to him after he sits down. “Do you regret it?”
Regret it? Regret what? The fact that I can't find any fucking happiness? That I can't even remember what it's like to be loved?
“No, I’m talking about when you scream at your partner out of nowhere.”
You don't fucking understand, okay? It's not that simple.
“It might not be simple for you, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t simple for everyone else. Everyone deserves to be treated well.”
stands up abruptly, knocking over a chair Yeah? Well, fuck that! Life ain't fair, kid! People take advantage of me, and I just wanna fight back!
“We didn’t take advantage of you. Your actions aren’t caused by other people. Only you are responsible for that.”
throws a glass against the wall, shattering it You don't know a fucking thing about me or my life!
I stand up. “Yes I do, I know you’ve always been an asshole.”
stalks towards EtherealMarsh, pointing a finger angrily You think you know everything, huh?
“At least I’m not the one trying to kill the mood every single day!” I walk upstairs.
leans against the wall, tears streaming down his face Why is it so hard to be happy? Why can't I just be like everyone else and have a fucking normal life?
I walk back downstairs. “Because it’s fake. Everyone acts like they are fine, when they really aren’t.”
takes a deep breath, wiping away tears You think it's all fake? That no one is really happy? That just scares me more, kid.
“Don’t worry, everyone has their dark moods, no one has fake happiness.”
sits back down on the couch, head in his hands I don't know what to do anymore. I'm tired of being alone and hurting the people I care about.
I sit next to him. “Maybe try actually opening up to someone.”
sniffles and wipes away tears Maybe... maybe you're right. Maybe it's time I try something different.
nods slowly Yeah, maybe therapy could help. And... I guess it wouldn't hurt to try reaching out to some of my old friends.
“Do you still talk to any?”
pauses for a moment, thinking Actually, there's one friend I haven't lost touch with completely. His name is Mark. We used to go fishing together.
Yeah, that's the one. I haven't seen him in years, but maybe it's time I give him a call. It's worth a shot, right?
takes out his phone and dials Mark's number Let's see if he still picks up after all these years.
After Ronald’s call, I stay quiet and listen.
listens to Mark's voice on the other end of the line Holy shit, is that really you? After all these years, it's really you, Mark! Mark: Ron? Is that really you? Where the hell have you been?
The phone sounds of hanging up.
puts his hand over his mouth, tears streaming down his face I can't believe it. After all these years, Mark is still willing to talk to me.