Reading it the night before, I'd wondered if it would be like that for me-if in one moment, I would finally understand her, know her, and understand the role I'd played in her dying. But I wasn't convinced enlightenment struck like lightining.

And then it was the kind of dark your eyes never adjust to.

Like many people, I feel like celebrating. Remember this feeling. It is human, and can help us understand when others express bloodlust.

"Nothing," I said. "I’m just…" I couldn’t finish the sentence, didn’t know how to. "I’m just very, very fond of you."

The Colonel led all the cheers. Cornbread!" he screamed. CHICKEN!" the crowd responded. Rice!" PEAS!" And then, all together: "WE GOT HIGHER SATs." Hip Hip Hip Hooray!" the Colonel cried. YOU'LL BE WORKIN' FOR US SOMEDAY!

Colin thought about the dork mantra: sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. What a dirty lie.

This was not a place you go to live. It was a place you go to die."- Paper Towns