Author: Bye, Elliot. It was a pleasure having you with us today. Next up, we have Valerie Sanger!
Valerie: Hello!
Author: How are you?
Valerie: I'm good. How are you?
Author: I'm fine. Let's get to the questions now. First one: what's your nationality?
Valerie: Technically, I'm American since I was born in the States. But I'm actually half American, half Indian. My dad's American-Indian, and my mom's pure Indian- she moved here during her teen years from India when her father got offered a permanent job here.
Author: How do you feel about your parents?
Valerie: They're pretty cool, I guess. My mom and dad got married against so many people's wishes, even their own parents. But still, they made it work- our little family, my parents, me and my bro. They're sort of an inspiration to me.
Author: When you were dating Josh, did you notice any signs of apathy towards your relationship? If you did, do you think you just ignored it?
Valerie: I've actually thought about it before- but no, I don't think he was indifferent in anyway as long as we were together. He is genuinely a sweet, caring, kind person. I still remember the first time I saw him, it was on our front lawn, like just after minutes me and my family moved into town. Zach was with him and we all instantly became friends. He used to be more easygoing then, more funny and witty. But I don't know he just slowly became more and more conserved and quiet. He even stopped going out much unless Zach and I pestered him on both ends- and even then we have to drag him away from his room. High school has its effect on everyone, I guess- and not in a good way to some, I'm afraid. I did try my best to break his shell but to no avail. He was a good boyfriend nonetheless, and the bestest friend anyone could ever ask for.
Author: How would you feel if one of your friends came out to you as gay or bisexual or of any other sexuality?
Valerie: Certainly happy and glad for them. I mean I'm bisexual myself, of course, my support would be always there for them. I don't think any other reactions would be valid at all.
Author: Well that's all the questions there seem to be for you. Thank you for answering them.
Valerie: No problem, any time.
Author: Next up, we have the adorable Josephine.
Josie: Hey.
Author: Welcome.
Josie: Thank you.
Author: Without wasting any time, let's begin: Why do you think your brother is hiding something from you? What do you think it is?
Josie: The why part is easy: it's Josh- he always has something to hide, not because he's scandalous or anything, he just doesn't like to tell much people about much anything at all. But all those times it's like he's never been deliberate to be secretive. However recently you could just tell that he was purposefully being all sneaky and evasive. He was practically acting suspicious. How can you not catch not onto that? If my brother's bad at anything, it's lying. Personally, I don't think whatever he's hiding is massive or earth-shattering. I don't know- maybe he's made a dodgy friend who's supplying him pot or weed- although he did say no when I asked him about it. Or maybe he's seeing someone new. The latter has a greater chance, I reckon- the last time I confronted him about it, he just sprinted away.
Author: How would you feel if your brother came out to as say gay or bisexual?
Josie: Surprised, for sure. But I'll be happy for him. I love him, he's my brother.
Author: Are you 100% straight?
Josie: 100% not sure- despite my dad's disapproval I'm friends with LGBTQ+ people in school. I've come to learn a lot from them, and it's made me question a lot, so no, I'm not really sure.
Author: What do you think made your family drift apart?
Josie: Bad family management skills from both of my parents and apathy.
Author: Your answers were simply cool. Thank you for spending time at us. See you soon.
Josie: Back at ya.
Author: The next character who's going to be answering the questions is Zach.
Zach: Hey.
Author: Welcome, Zach. Let's begin with the questions, yes?
Zach: Sure.
Author: How do you feel about the whole Valerie thing, before and after you learnt the truth?
Zach: Before, I was just plain confused and guilty, I guess. Confused, because I didn't understand what I saw. Not the fact that she was kissing another girl- okay yeah, maybe a little bit of that too. But it was the fact that she was kissing another person when she was dating another. I felt guilty for witnessing it and that's part of why I ran away. After I learnt the truth and after just talking to Valerie, only did I feel greatly relieved. And then she came out to me and Josh and yeah it was all cool. I fully and genuinely support her.
Author: How do same sex relationships make you feel?
Zach: Like how any other relationships would make me feel- bitter. I'm single and all alone, I don't need to see any mushy bushy bullshit, just get off my face.
Author: I feel ya, Zach. I feel ya. How would your reaction be if your best friend told you he felt something for another man? Would you walk away from him or would you stay by his side?
Zach: I really hope I wouldn't run away like I did for Val. That was a total dick move on my part. But the thing about me is I'm not so good with confrontations. I think that's why Josh and I get along so well. We just sweep most of everything under the carpet- I'm working on that a lot. But other than that, again I would fully support my best friend. Love is love and feelings are feelings, man. You can't control them- you like who you like. Of course I'm gonna stay by my buddy's side.
Author: How would you feel if you were the only straight one in your group?
Zach: I'm sorry, is that like suppose to matter? Because I don't think it would matter to me. What would really bother me to no end is if I were the only single one in my group. Please don't tell Josh and Val this but I am guilty for feeling very very slightly happy when they broke up. Like, whohoo no more third-wheeling anymore.
Author: Good answers, Zach. And those are your questions. Thank you for coming here today.
Zach: Thank you for having me.
Author: Next, we'll have few of the minor characters- Mr Goldmann, Ming and Danish. The first question would be for Mr Goldmann.
Mr Goldmann: Go ahead, time waits for no man. I've got a lot of work to do.
Author: Just try to answer this question calmly. Could you possibly be cheating on yo-
Mr Goldmann: [abruptly stands up] I don't need to hear this or answer this [leaves]
Author: [akward chuckle] Well, we'll just move on to the next question for Ming.
Ming: [panickily] I'm not cheating on anyone. I'm not even dating anyone. I've never even dat-
Author: No, no, no. That was not the question for you, don't worry.
Ming: [relaxes a little] Oh alright, I'm sorry.
Author: It's okay. Why do you want Josh and Valerie back together?
Ming: Um, I actually don't. Why would I want my cru-
Author: MING!
Ming: Right, sorry. What I was saying was um... no, I don't want them back together. No, I mean it's not up to me really. It's both of their decisions.
Author: Thank you.
Ming: [nods and then leaves]
Danesh: Why am I here? [asks in a bored tone]
Author: Because you have a question as well.
Danesh: I only appeared like once in the story, why do I have a question?
Author: I've never appeared in the story and I have more than one questions. What do you have to say for that?
Danesh: You're the author, duh. [rolls his eyes]
Author: [tries to come up with a comeback but fails] Just answer the question.
Danesh: Ask away.
Author: How would you like to be paired with Zach?
Danesh: WHAT?! [coughs uncontrollably, and sits up, clearing his throat] That guy is an absolute nightmare, an IDIOT. He just makes me wanna run for the hills, ripping my hair off. Just NO!
Author: Okay, okay. Thank you, Dan!
Author: Finally, we have the author questions. Let's go!
1. What gave you the inspiration to write this story, or is it something you just came up with? Plus, where do you think the story is going?
I have a lot of trouble sleeping at night. So most of the time I just lay on my bed, staring off at the wall- I have all my lights off, so it's mostly dark and I basically can't see anything. Also, I have this really weird imagination where I like make stuff up or conversations in my head and just like play it all off. But this story in particular, I dreamt about it- as weird as it sounds. No I wasn;t involved in this dream I was just like looking in I guess at someone about to jump off and then another like just joking around. And that small concept was built into this story. Where do I think this story is going; well you have to keep reading to find about it. Don't worry there's a lot of stuff coming up.
2. Do you have any plans of adding any tragedy cubes into the story? (maybe Elliot's past, or maybe Josie has a lot going on, sorta)
Yes, I'm planning to, but regarding what, I can't exactly reveal yet.
3. How old are you?
I don't feel quite comfortable revealing my age, but I can tell you the range. I'm in my late teens/early adulthood.
4. How would you describe your personality?
To be honest, I don't particularly like this kind of questions, because it's like describe yourself and I get so conflicted, because I don't really know myself? Anyways what I think my personality is like I'm very quiet and introverted around strangers or people I just met. But if you're my family or have been my friends for years then I'm one weird weirdo. I try to be understanding and kind, although I've been told that if I get mad, I get really mad and talk without thinking and tend to hurt those around me by just my words. I've a really hard time trusting people and often find it hard to form new bonds with people. There's probably a lot more I could tell about my personality but I'm just going to stop here.
5. Is Josh's character based off your personality?
I like to think that when we write about a character we knowingly or unknowingly add some elements of ourselves to that character. So thinking about it, Josh might be based of off my personality a little bit, but so are the other characters in the book. A person's personality is a large thing- like have you seen how many theories there are out there just on personalities???? As a psychology student, I'm telling you it's a nightmare trying to understand even a few of them. Ok I'm getting off topic here- what I'm saying is personality is a big thing and Josh is just a pinch of my personality. I'm not like the 'perfect' kid but not to brag, but I am considered the smartest kid in my family and it IRRITATES ME TO HELL.
Author: And we have come to an end to the q&a session. Thank you for the questions, readers, and also for your never-ending love and support towards the book. Hope you guys are satisfied with the answers and that you'll stick around till the end of the book. Massive love to you all. Till next time, bye.
edit: imma give you a fun fact- i literally talked to myself, like i asked the questions and answered them myself, doing this whole thing. i promise i'm not crazy though. don't tell me y'all don't talk to yourselves.