Finding Alaska

It was incredible to close "Looking for Alaska" and see sunlight creeping in through the teeny space between the living room blinds. It is 5:42 AM. A bit over a half hour ago, I finished the book. I stayed up all night to do so.

I was wrong.

Although, in an attempt to save face, not entirely wrong. I was sure we were counting down to the point where two characters hook up and fall madly in love, no matter how short a period that love may last. I was partially right. But that part sort of happened before the countdown ended? Does that make sense? We were actually counting down to something entirely non-expected.

I'm not sure I want to ruin it for you. But I am happy to say I solved part of the mystery before the characters did. I am not a complete idiot, apparently.

The book brought me back to my early teens. Where I was so invincible and nothing could be wrong in the world. Even if it actually was wrong. And staying up until the crack of dawn only solidifies that feeling. God. What happened to those days? Now, all I want to do is get in bed with my best friends and talk about this book. And endless nothings. It truly is amazing to feel like this again. And I can't even explain to you what "this" is. "This" is wonderful, and joyous, like when you're opening Christmas gifts, maybe. I suddenly feel in the moment. There is nothing ahead of me and nothing behind me. Just this... "this" that is around me, consuming me and swallowing me and wrapping me in a wonderful, warm embrace. Perhaps the "this" will get me through 24 hours of no sleep. Or perhaps I should go to bed now....