Chapter Text
I know posting this not-a-fanwork on a site specifically for fanworks is kind of in poor character, but I've always kept my mouth shut when there came time for self-promoting, positive affirmations for a reason. Although, that's probably the result of low self-esteem.
Now that I mentioned the virtue of reason, I'll briefly explain why I posted this here. I've been in the AO3 Peterick/Fall Out Boy community for many years now, I've even dabbled in commenting on some of my favorite works. For most of the days I spent here, the only thing I could wake up and look forward to was reading the many phenomenal fics posted here. It was a solitary activity that provided a distraction from loneliness, one I desperately needed. I've spent my pre-teen and teenage years in a hell of major depression, anxiety, intense fatigue, and being so over-medicated that I was essentially catatonic, but most of all, I was lonely. Aside from immediate family—I'm not a gung-ho, family is the best-thing-ever type, we rarely interacted and had conflicting views/interests—my therapist, homebound teacher, and doctors, my social life was limited to the few friends I would send "Happy Birthday" texts to, sometimes receiving a response, sometimes not. There wasn't anyone with remotely similar interests or perspectives to talk to, laugh with, find shitty house shows like our beloved Fall Out Boys would've gone to back in the day, or even start a band with and perform at those same shitty house shows.
However, last year, there was a massive breakthrough in my mental health treatment, and I'm finally, finally, able to wake up with the "fuck this, I'm taking my life back" attitude I've only read and dreamed about.
All of this, and whatever I end up posting in future chapters, to say, if it so happens you're short on the type of friendship that grows to true-blue, ride-or-die levels, I'm looking, too.
Thank you.
With love for a community that was my reason for waking up,
Sam/Sammy/Whatever you want to call me