I made this Wattpad account 11 years ago because of One Direction.
Me and my neighbour who became friends over our shared love of One Direction, we would read silly cheesy cliched fan fictions, and write some on my first laptop that I saved up 7 months for as a 13 year old. I had a terrible time making friends in middle school being severely bullied and found my own comfort in this made believe world of tween hormonal frenzy. I made friends globally, I met some in real life who are an integral part of my life still to this day, I learned things about myself, I would rush back home to talk to the friends I have made who loved this silly boyband as much as I did. I learned how to code, graphics and writing that was a pivotal part of my current decision makings, I learned skills because of this, I still have my first boyfriend in my DM’s and I would remember how he sang Story of My Life to console me when I had a major operation, I made friends and I found the courage to change my narrative in high school and then university with my social capacity due to the comfort my online friends gave me. I got invited to be part of the “cool kids” in a TFIOS movie premier in my country which changed my life forever, and so many other domino effects
Liam’s passing has been shocking and devastating to say the least. I am 25 year old today, and I feel like being a part of this community has been weaved into my life in nuances I cannot fathom. One Direction breaking up is one thing, but now that I have a matured perspective, the passing of Liam, someone so young, in such a terrible circumstance with addiction and suicidal ideation added in the mix, resonates on a whole other spectrum.
I haven’t been active here for a while, but I still remember so many of my peers here fondly, and I know that when I say a part of our youth has slipped away from us, maybe you can resonate as well.
Sending so much love and prayers to his soul, and little Bear.