Aw... poor boys, will you things better for them eventually? ether way I liked the story.

I would love to see this as a continueing story not just one here and there

Author's Response: I'll keep that in mind! :D

Alright. That was more so directed at Ruda, but I agree that I don't want to taint the story with discord since it looks like a stalemate anyway.

Hmm, Kris, this isn't directed at you, but at certain other people...

I think this is the time where it's most beneficially proven that if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.

I have moderate clinical depression. I have a mental disorder. Only what could be categorized as normal people make the mistake of, as you say, "letting themselves" fall into unfortunate states of being. Those of us with disorders have little to no choice, especially when the very hormones in your brain are being affected. You think we choose to be this way?

I'm very offended when people ask why in the hell those like me cannot just "snap out of it" and be normal. It's a constant struggle that could very well last one's entire life.

And while I agree that everyone has their own problems -- of course they do; I'm not naive -- at the same time that doesn't mean that any problems shouldn't be taken heed of.

I don't believe that people have the right to condemn others for being depressed, having an eating disorder, etc. when they have absolutely no idea what it's like to live with something like that. Would you ask a diabetic person why they can't just stop taking insulin, go ahead and eat sweets, and just "be normal"? Would you ask a wheelchair-bound person to just "get up"? These are physical impediments, but they're no less real than disorders.

And while, granted, it's not like living with a painful disease such as cancer, it is still difficult. I won't say any more, but the bottom line is to give people the benefit of the doubt. You have no idea what they're going through.

I don't want to criticize Bill from this story (nor you for that matter), but I also think that allowing ourselves for such disorders is a bit egoistical. I don't know how old is he there, but I know a lot of people suffering from eating disorders are teenagers and in their early 20's. I would say it's like a part of puberty, people don't feel pretty anymore (not saying that they did while being kids - they just weren't thinking about such things when there was so many interesting things around), start to feel self-conscious, often they don't get along with their parents and with the whole world. Some choose to rebel in a louder and more obvious way, others prefer to go on a self-destroying path. It often happens that those acts are done to get attention, shock people, etc. In one book I have read about a girl who was feeling sad and depressed for most of the time, she didn't need any trigger to make her feel worse etc. She felt like she was the only one feeling like this, everyone around didn't understand her, she was fighting a lonely battle, and she allowed herself to lost. All this battle started when she was around 12 years old so in fact she wasn't very original, there's a lot of teenagers who are suddenly confused with life. Later, when this girl became an adult woman she observed that she got so sick (she was in trying to commit suicide a few times, spent some time in mental hospitals, etc.) because she allowed herself to fall apart. If she would try to fight it and get better instead of reatreating in self-pity every time she felt low, her life could be so much different. What I'm trying to say by this is that people often think they're going through something that no one can understand, and they choose to fall for this hard without looking at anyone else, without thinking about people that are close to them. Rarely they think about feelings of their family and friends, it's always about them - they don't feel pretty, they are fat (even if they're not), they, they, they. They expect everyone around to always think about their struggles but they don't care if those closest to them aren't fighting something as well. What if their mother is severely depressed (also by this situation with her child) and wants nothing that to take a hot bath and slice her wrists, but she knows she has to carry on because people around need her? What if one day she would allow herself to do it, just like her child is allowing themselves to use an ED as an excuse for everything? Imagine the world where everyone suddenly start to allow themselve to fall like this. Luckily most of people is trying to fight their peoblems, no matter how hard they are, to make their life worth something. I admire those who choose the harder path, those who are fighting. It's a bit egoistical to expect that everyone will put aside their life just to assist us while we're destroying our. Here's a quote I want to talk about for a while: "I used to think I was weird, or random, or different. But then what's normal? Just boring? Maybe anyone can be exciting in their own way". What this person is saying is that eeveryone is weird and random, not just them. They are not the main actor and the others aren't only extras. Sure they're taking main roles in their own film, but life is more like a crossover, many movies crossing together. What we want from others should be what we give them as well. What we do affects other people and vice versa, wouldn't it be good if we all would try to make others life better instead of worse?
Was Bill from this fic thinking about Tom, other than "even he doesn't understand what I'm feeling"; maybe for a change he should think "do I understand his feelings?"

I don't mean to preach here because it's impossible to teach someone how to live, everyone should get there by themselves. I just want them to understand that they should open their eyes and see other people too, instead of only looking at themselves in the mirror.

Love this series!

This is really insightful! I work with speech and language disordered populations, and I've seen how a person's disorder takes its own toll on those close to them. Not only is it physical support (transport to and from therapy), but endless emotional support.

I loved how their tempers ran high at the start, but the end resolved with them in each other's embrace, stealing kisses and reassuring each other. That was so sweet! It's so valuable to have someone like that who's always there for you. Warms my heart. :)

Author's Response: Thanks for the review! I agree that mental illness effects not only the person who has it, but also those close to them. Unfortunately, I feel that disordered individuals tends to be viewed negatively in many situations or seen as problems, which is upsetting. I always try to cast Tom as the most supportive individual in Bill's recovery. :)

poor Tom, I feel sorry for him that he has to stand someone so self-obsessed and egoistic as Bill is...

Author's Response: I wouldn't describe Bill as self-obsessed or egoistic. There's a common misconception that people with anorexia are trying to lose weight because they are conceited, which is untrue. Anorexia is a psychiatric illness that manifests itself through self-starvation, and sufferers all to often misjudged as attention seekers.