Willie - Blog Posts
Nothing could have prepared me for the whiplash I got when I first read the jatp novelization and found out that Alex never actually bought any pink shirts or hoodies, he just accidentally had a red sock in his white laundry, turned everything pink and decided to just roll with it.
⠀⠀ overwhelming, but strangely addicting; it was impossible to count on one hand the many, many people that approached her tonight, similar words spilling from their lips with matched enthusiasm or skepticism ⏤ never an in-between. dime needed a nice break, a timeout for a few minutes. she orders the 12 grapes but not for the same reasons as everyone else, instead happily munching one by one on the fruit while watching the party with curious yet shaky eyes. the voice behind her makes her turn around, cheeks filled like a chipmunk storing food for the winter before an embarrassed hand covers her mouth. “ oh my god! hey! ” words muffled by the grapes, cheerfulness matched despite her vision squinting in an attempt to recognize them. it takes a good minute before dime remembers who this was. with a limp wrist, fingers point in their direction with a bounce, head in a slow nod before it clicks. “ sparky, right ? you're a-a new rodani member, ” dime hurries out, swallowing hard on the fruit to speak normally, “ name's dime. we're on the same crew. hopefully you heard good things about me. ”
TIME : LATE NIGHT, WELL INTO THE PARTY. LOCATION : 12WELVE, NYE PARTY. STATUS : ACCEPTING REPLIES ! ASSUME CONNECTIONS.
“ wait, hello ! ” perhaps that wasn't the best means of approach to someone they had nearly pile-driven in a rush - hell bent on showing face at one of the hottest parties in town, but they caught willie on a particularly successful day, hence the chipper attitude. their time in miami, brief, easily debunked that all too specific sparkle that they continued to exude - always the optimist, regardless of the emotional drainage caused by a service shift. “ i've seen you before — ” they began, knee-deep in recollection to even touch upon the impending social anxiety, that of which crept upon her cheeks with a fruitful bloom. “ not here. maybe here, but, fuck, you've just got one of those faces on ya', you know ? not hittin' on you, or anythin'. no offense. — it's just botherin' the shit out of me that your name's escaped me. ”
is now a good time to say that alex is PEAK representation of 'gay in theory'??
hear me out, he has very loving and supportive friends and he's comfortable and relatively open with who he is. but we know that he's experienced a lot of homophobia particularly from his parents, and i feel like his trouble expressing his affections with willie really show the impact that had on him.
dont get me wrong, part of it is definitely because of the whole 'willies being blackmailed' thing but it could easily be metaphorical and shit can have double meanings. that hug ?? the way he clearly cares a lot about willie but can't look him in the eyes and admit it even to himself because at that point he has to face the reality of his feelings and show vulnerability with them. it isn't often talked about, but a lot of queer people act very outwardly proud as a preemptive defense mechanism - what you say won't hurt me so dont even bother. because if they show vulnerability then they're letting the prejudice get to them, and they can't do that. hence why alex hesitates from the hug, otherwise comfortable with physical affection but knowing how much this particular hug will mean to him and being scared to face it, particularly in front of the people he loves. because in his experience, the people he loves have been the ones to judge him for it.
its a huge misconception that gay people like to 'show it in your face' that they're gay, and complaining about it is inherently homophobic. but there is some truth that gay people like to call out homophobia before it even comes up, so as to feel some power over it. acting confident and proud is our way of protecting ourselves from a world that has always preyed on our vulnerability.
The Phantom Whisperer
Chapter one: Ghosts Lead To Therapy
Hello! So, this story will be a multi-part series featuring an OC Maddie. Please give me feedback, I would greatly appreciate it <3
Maddie has always been able to see ghosts. What happens when she gets introduced to three boys that form a band with a girl she knows from her past?
To be completely honest, Maddie doesn’t even know how she does it. When she was four, she had met a kind man in the store after losing her mom isles away. Maddie had tugged on his sleeve with tears falling down her cheeks and asked if he could help. To the gentlemen’s surprise he felt a touch for the first time in three weeks. Maddie’s mother had run over and grabbed her up before he could even begin to understand.
Since then, Maddie would have multiple talks with her parents about the people she would talk to that they couldn’t see. A shrink here and there would help Maddie realize that no matter what she would say, they would tell her the same thing. “Maddie it’s all your imagination”, “Maddie do you really believe what you’re saying”, or her personal favorite, “Maybe you just need more attention at home”. All of this led to a simple conclusion for young Maddie, no more talking to ghosts. Or, in front of her parents at least.
So that’s where Maddie is now. A senior at Los Feliz High School, trying to keep her head down. No more music program and the less friends the better. No matter how hard she tried, no one would be permanent in her life. So, she decided it would be best to be on her own, for now at least. Maddie knew that she shouldn't waste her time on those who she felt didn't deserve it. The dead nor the living seemed to fit perfectly into her life. All she could count on was herself. Though, there was rarely an occasion Maddie would find herself an actual friend. There just so happened to be one ghost who she could call a friend. One who she would stop by to see on her walk to school. In all honesty, Maddie would take a detour to see him, forfeiting a couple minutes of her morning by taking the longer way.
"What up Madds!” the skateboarding ghoul rode up, bringing his board up to stand.
“Willie! How are you this fine morning? Sneaking into anymore museums?” Maddie had a soft spot for the kid who died so recently. She doesn’t remember ever hearing about it on the news, but Willie filled her in on the details one day when he rode right into her on his skateboard. He was more astonished that they could touch rather than actually talk. Willie had been sworn secrecy about it. Maddie would rather not have to speak to 200 ghosts asking her to reach out to their families. One episode of The Ghost Whisperer had made her want to stay away from that field.
“Not yet, but hey, the day is still young” Willie sent a wink her way. He was the closest person to her. They would spend countless hours after school hanging around. With him either showing off tricks or her ranting about school and her parents. He understood how she’d rather be by herself rather than seek out others, he respected that. Willie himself was a free spirit (kind of). Maddie was aware how he was tied to the Hollywood Ghost Club. She felt bad that his soul belonged to Caleb, never wanting to catch a glimpse of him or have him see her, so she tried to stay as far away to the place as she could. The stories of Caleb Covington sent chills down her spine.
“Well, I would love to hear about it after I get back from school. Don’t miss me too much skater boy!” Maddie started to walk backwards only stopping to do their handshake. Willie gave her a sarcastic salute as she turned around. Maddie continued her walk as she bumped into someone. “Oh gosh I’m so sorry!” She apologized to the man before continuing. The man stood still before turning towards her.
“My apologizes Ma’am.” The dark tone not registering to Maddie as she kept walking. Willie froze as he watched the exchange. The man turned and straightened himself out before looking Willie in the eyes. “Well well well, looks like you’ve made an interesting friend.”
“Mr. Covington, um sir, I was just talking. I promise I didn't say anything,” Willie casted his eyes towards to ground. He was not one that had the courage to face the man himself. He wouldn't put Maddie in jeopardy willingly.
“Oh no Willie, I think you’ve stumbled upon something very interesting. Please do tell me more.”