This is actually the first time I've ever written a review of any sort before. Although, it's not much of a review honestly. I absolutely loved this story, so much that the ending was just soulcrushing, I actually hated it, but I loved everything else. Your ability to write characters in such a way to give them life is amazing, I've never felt so attached to characters in fiction before.

Even though I accidentially read a few reviews and was unfortunately spoiled of the ending before finishing the story, it still was incredibly heartbreaking. I understand why you ended it the way you did even if I don't agree with it the slightest. I wish I had never read the last chapter, it left me with emotions I never thought I could possibly feel over a fanfiction.

My only wish is that you could write an alternate ending of some sort, although I'm pretty sure that is wishful thinking. Anyway, I respect your work, I respect the ending, even though I hate it.

Well, I gotta say, OOC Cloud got what he deserved in the end. I know a lot of reviewers are upset about the ending, but... it's what the character was aiming for, wasn't it? What actually changed? The dude went through a hell of a lot, just to stay the samespineless right up to leaving without saying goodbye. This is the only end that makes sense to me.

I think this story has its merits as a slice-of-life sort of commentary. But holy hell, is OOC Cloud obnoxious and unlikable. I didn't believe in toxic masculinity until this storythought it was a myth or whatever. It's not. Even when you wrote a Tifa POV, her first thoughts were about her breasts! Do you know how often women think about their own breasts?! Never.

The constant and disgusting descriptions of women, both physically and mentally; the "men don't cry, or tell on other guys even if they do something horrible" schtick; the "hero" being a huge douche to everyone around him, and yet attracting friends and perfect girls in flocks; the "girls only like shopping and shoes and talking for hours" garbage; the cardboard cutout of a romantic female interest having no real discernible personality besides being hot; the absolute zero change in the main character despite serious things happening to them. I thought the point of making such an unlikable hero was to have a satisfying character arc in the end, but... nope. Bro makes weird faces talking to himself CONSTANTLY, pops boners every five minutes, has no spine, and is an enormous piggish douchecanoe, and just STAYS THAT WAY.

I've ranted long enough here, so here's my rating: 3/10. Has some value as an insight into an incel's brain and fantasies. Most mysoginistic hero of all time. Out

Is Cloud an incel? Cloud is an incel. "Part of me felt guilty about letting her down like that but she'd pretty much done the same, giving me false hope before cruelly crushing it." Bitch, girl doesn't owe you a thing and never gave you any reason to believe she was single! Gtfo with that noise

Ooooooofff. I'm hoping this is part of eventual character growth or something, but uh... Cloud is a huge prick. I mean, he was a little terrible before, but this chapter was really hard to find any sympathy for. He hates a guy intensely just because he's nice, thinks another guy is hilarious for calling a girl a whore, is weirdly happy about pain caused to an animal, goes on and on about a stereotypical and totally false female conversation, and all that is on top of his disgusting objectification of women. And man, am I tired of him talking to himself. Even as a tool to help the reader see how he's feeling, it's distracting and takes up waaaaay too much of the story. Having seen some glowing reviews, I hope this all adds up somewhere and I'm gonna keep going, but... wow. This is one of the most toxic protagonists I've ever read. Yeesh.

Type your review here. The box says. It's been a sweet journey and now it draws to an end. It's true that these kind of endings suck.. And hopefully this serves as a real reminder to all those who would prefer to be alone or do the lone wolf style. Sometimes.. Try not to push the shoulder that would sacrifice for you. And stop looking in the branches what you can only find in the roots. Nuff said. Damn I hate Mondays

That was a very worthwhile read. Although it did not resolve everything, it definitely ended at the right time in regards to character.

I've been following this story for years now- enthusiastically waiting for each and every update, completely entranced by this straightforward and comedic writing style and I can say with confidence that you have indeed influenced me not only with writing but also as a person. You've inadvertently pushed me from Pokemon fanfics and to greater things like original works for example (which I've published intermittently on random sites across the net, the most recent ones are on fictionpress).You have to realize that I've found your work at an age where I'm susceptible to drastic changes and you were just that- I'm glad that it was you. If the burden isn't too heavy, please accept the title of being my internet hero, however cheesy it sounds.
Finding out that this chapter finally concludes this story I've grown with, it's sort of a bittersweet moment, you know? And that's what partly prompted me to write this semi-essay. To me, My Disjointed Life was always that story that I never minded whether it updated consistently every month or every year or not at all (just kidding, im thankful you actually finished this) because I always knew I could come back to this and read the available chapters and still have a blast even if the story was never completed. I think we all wish for that, when you realize you're nearing the end of a good book, the spaces between the words become almost infinite and you just want to stay in that universe with the characters you love indefinitely. But we all inevitably move on to other things, such is life. It goes on, [un]fortunately.
So my actual review on the ending: It was OK, relatively speaking. We've all become too accustomed to endings that bring closure, or cut off loose ends and answer some questions or maybe leave an ending open enough to maybe warrant a sequel or follow-up or spin-off. Whatever case, we fail to see what an ending really is: the end of a story arc developed throughout the book. True, what Cloud did isn't a satisfying ending (to some) or what everyone can agree with but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad ending. In the end, it's a decision that's been culminating since square one (the suicide, the betrayal, etc.) and what we can do is come to terms with that and accept that it's his character arc coming full circle.
My Disjointed Life is awesome, made me feel genuine emotions. Looking forward to your future works.
-From a lifelong fan, I will continue to recommend and reread this as the years pass by. Godspeed.

This story was much better without the ending, he tells her she is his dream girl and then suddenly leaves with some really cliche uncertainty bullshit...It just doesn't make sense... Stories can usually be a reflection of things in the author's life... sigh... really disappointed

(Heads up that most of this comment will be Cloud x Tifa)

This is the second time I've read this young adult centric masterpiece. Coming back for the second version I came to realize how enjoyable it is when guys write for this pairing. When us straight chicks convey Cloud's attraction to Tifa or any other woman, it tends to be hit or miss- no offence to anyone. Often Cloud's train of thought delves into this poetic, hyper emotional and intense inner prose about the female sensitivities, like Hamlet (and like my comment haha). But then you get an actual guy writing Cloud's reaction to Tifa and it's just like "DANG those CURVES. I need to tie my shoelaces now!" I love it cause it's so visceral and probably much more realistic for a young man with an intense crush.

Now to wax on about the 'message'. When I read the first version I was still a teen, and after this chapter privately reacted in the exact same way the angry reviewers did below. Injustice! How could he just up and leave like that?! Now reading from the other side of the undergraduate college experience I had this bittersweet epiphany. I now sympathise with Cloud and understand why he panicked and reacted that way, because I did similar stuff in my young college years. I threw good opportunities out the door and burnt some bridges, and had friendships fizzle. At the time I thought it was the best decision, but in truth I hadn't collected enough life experience in the 'real world' to make grounded decisions about these new dilemmas.

Then you have Cloud who was thrown into this whirlwind of drama in his first year of college, experienced betrayal from his brother and first girlfriend, dealt with his classmate's suicide, in addition to surviving in the adult world for the first time. Poor guy just didn't have the emotional resources or life experience at the time to make the best choice. They say our frontal lobes don't fully grow until the mid twenties too. The cruelty is that because this decade is so hectic and full of personal growth, it only takes a couple years of maturing to look back with a different perspective and go "Ohhh if that exact same situation happened again right now I would handle it completely differently!" The postgraduate Cloud after three years may have been able to assess the situation with a bit more chill, and think oh maybe I can try message Tifa and she'll be okay with a long distance thing, she probably likes me enough. But hindsight is 20/20 etc..

Entering young adulthood is tough, hell the entire twenties is a grind. Every year is different and you have no idea what the next will bring and it is true, life at this stage is 'Disjointed' with little closure and hardly any continuity. But it does give you tonnes of uncertainty! I suspect the angry reviewers are a) still yet to experience the ass kicking years following the teens OR b) they are going through that now, or been there done that and just wanted a happy ending because fantasy can give you that.

A sentimental part of me will always wish that Cloud would reconnect with Tifa after a couple years, after he found the ground beneath his feet. I think she will always be the 'one that got away' in his life. However at the end of the day I am a fatalistic realist and believe that if it was meant to be - it would be.

Thanks for this re-experience of a most relateable novel Pendrum !

5 years after I read your book. 10ish after I read your original ff. this still hits very hard. thank you for not changing it. For thouse who don't understand why this ending makes this story so great, I am sorry for you. The book is about life, not happy everafter

This fucking sucks. That was terrible ending. All these years and you leave us with this? You have no idea how deeply disappointed I am with this ending. Its was great up until this chapter. I hope the you set things straight with the next chapter.

A very disappointing end to a one of the greatest stories I've ever read. Such a shame. I need some clarification on your choice to end the story like this or better yet, fix this problem by doing an alternate ending. I know happy endings are cliche but I think Cloud deserves the best after the all the things he's been through.

You ever see a really good movie and it's freaking amazing and then the end is bad so it ruins the whole movie? This chapter is like that. This ending ruined the entire story for me. Cloud went through a lot of stuff and overcomes them just to give up because..some sad shit? Really disappointed.

OMG. It hurts. I feel betrayed T.T would you add an epilogue or another chapter where they end up together? This was a promising Cloti stuff. I hope it's not too much but I guess after he had sorted out their lives, they would find each other again. They didn't even had the chance to say good-bye -sigh- I literally shed tears with this. Pretty please :3

Can you please do an alternate ending! I was really hoping that the story would have a happy ending. After all these years and after all the things Cloud has been through I believe he deserves a happy ending. I know you said there is no definite closure. But this story need one. And I think every one would be much happier if the story ended the way we all wanted it to. So please, can you do another ending for the sake of the people who have continued to read your story throughout the years and have waited patiently for the story to finally end a wrap up. I loved Cloud and I really want him to finally have a happy life because you have created a character I care about, and that is something not many people can do.

So please, give him the ending he deserves.