My friend Sara (who lives a thousand miles away from me and thus has little way of forcing me to read anything) had been telling me about this great book “Twilight”. I listened patiently, read a little of her fan story of it, but otherwise ignored all her remarks about her book. I even passed by it many times at Target. I still remember reading the back the first time and thinking, “What the hell?! This is about VAMPIRES? How stupid!” and practically throwing it back onto the shelves.

Finally, many months later, my family was going on an outing for a little summer fun. We live in Washington, so we went up north to a Mariners’ game. I think it was an impulse buy. In fact, now that I think back upon this Twilight Journey, I know it was. We stopped at WalMart for one reason or another and in one hand I had “Twilight”, in the other I had “Sold” (which I still have yet to buy). Since Sara had read “Twilight” and I had become a reading fiend over summer, I bought “Twilight.” Actually, I think I bought it because it was the same price – if not cheaper – as “Sold” but was at least twice as big. I then proceeded to cross the aisles to the music section and buy AFI’s “Decemberunderground” CD, which has absolutely noting to do with this story other than the fact it’s another thing Sara got me addicted to and that I did actually buy it the same day as “Twilight.” After a little more shopping in the mall that was connected to WalMart – including buying a bright pink American Eagle sweatshirt that I was wearing as I read the first page – I returned to the car. I reached into the WalMart sack and….pulled out the AFI CD. I begged my parents to let me listen to AT LEAST the first song, which they did. I loved Prelude 12/21. Then Kill Caustic came on. I cringed. After Miss Murder, I concluded that I hated the CD and returned it to the bag. My parents thought that maybe they’d like it instead, or maybe my brother. The funny thing is is that they now hate AFI, as does my brother, and I’m in love with them.

And I would say that I was digressing, but I’m really not. This is all part of the story.

So, we get to Safeco Field. “Twilight” had still not left the WalMart bag, but I, unlike my family, despise watching any sort of sports game. It’s freaking BORING. So, instead, I pull out Twilight and read the preface. I practically hyperventilated! I was absolutely positive that Edward was the monster threatening to kill Bella in the preface. 100%. No question about it. I turned to my mom and made her read it. After that, I promptly began Chapter One.

What a letdown! That great opener immediately draws your attention, then you’re like “Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww” when you start Chapter One! Where did the drama go? Who was the killer? DID Bella die? What the hell is going on????????????? I didn’t read much more at the game. It was too loud and I couldn’t concentrate.

I read the remainder of the book the next day and the day after that. (I find it strange that I could finish Harry Potter 7 in 23 hours, but Twilight takes me 3 days and I love Twilight so much more) My parents went grocery shopping so my brother went on MySpace – since we weren’t yet allowed MySpaces so he did all of his MySpacing in secret – and I sat on the couch, dreading what I was sure would come at the end of Twilight and reading all the funny parts out loud to Kaj (my brother).

Of course, I won’t tell you the end, because that would be horribly awful of me. All I WILL say is that I’m glad you’re reading this book and you’re not alone: there’s a guy on my bus who’s finished Twilight and is either on New Moon or Eclipse. Not sure which.

On a final note, I read Twilight one and half more times before Mom brought home New Moon several days later.

~ Kelci

Besides, it’s refreshing to hear someone, a male someone, about their experience, particularly when they have as good a sense of humor as you do. So thank you for writing this! You deserve that number 7 spot!