Prologue: author's monologue

Chapter 0: Author's Monologue

What Is Love?

Hey there, reader! Ever found yourself scrolling through the internet late at night, stumbling across those cheesy quotes about love that make you stop and go, "Huh?" Yeah, me too. The other night, I was knee-deep in one of those rabbit holes, and I came across some real gems. They weren't from a blockbuster romance flick or some fancy novel—just random bits of wisdom floating around in the digital void. And, well, they got me thinking. So, grab a snack, settle in, and let's ponder this big question together: What is love?

Here's what I found. First up: "Love is the bridge that connects two souls." Sounds poetic, right? But I'm over here wondering—what kind of bridge are we talking about? Is it one of those sturdy stone ones, or more like a rickety rope bridge swaying over a canyon? Are we connecting soulmates, or is this just a fancy way of saying you've got a solid Wi-Fi signal with someone?

Then there's this: "Love's beauty is not in how it starts, but in how it lasts." Okay, so love's like a marathon, not a sprint? Or maybe it's like that leftover pizza in the fridge—kinda meh at first, but way better the next day. Does it mean the messy beginnings don't matter as long as you stick it out?

How about "True love isn't found; it's built." Now love's a DIY project? Do I need a toolbox and a YouTube tutorial for this? I'm picturing me with a hammer, trying to nail down something that keeps slipping away. Sounds exhausting, but maybe that's the point.

Next: "Love is the light that pushes away life's darkest moments." So, love's a flashlight now? Or maybe one of those glow-in-the-dark stars I stuck on my ceiling as a kid. Handy when the power goes out, I guess—both literally and metaphorically.

Then we've got "Love's strength comes from its softness." Wait, what? Is love a marshmallow? A kitten? One of those squishy stress balls you squeeze when life gets tough? I kinda like that image, though—something gentle that still packs a punch.

Here's a sweet one: "The purest love is born from selfless giving." So, love's like volunteering your last slice of cake to your friend, even though you really want it? That's noble, but also… ouch, my cake.

And finally: "Love is the universe's way of saying, 'You're not alone.'" Aw, that's nice. But also, is the universe stalking me? Sending me cosmic love notes? I'm flattered, but a little creeped out.

Anyway, after all that scrolling, I sat back and asked myself: What even is love? Is it depending on someone special—like, "I can't function without you" levels of need? Is it standing by them no matter what, even when they're being a total goof? Is it thinking about them 24/7 until your brain's just a mushy love playlist? Or is it something deeper, something we're too busy—or too lazy—to figure out?

I've been asking myself these questions forever, and guess what? No answers yet. Zilch. Even now, I'm still scratching my head. I thought I knew love once. Back in my teenage years, I had this massive, one-sided crush. I was all in—writing their name in my notebook, daydreaming about our future. Total sap. But looking back? Hormones. Just hormones pulling a fast one on me. Ah, youth—what a scam.

Still, I'm curious. If love were something I could hold, what would it look like? A glowing orb? A fluffy cloud? To me, love feels like one of those mysterious potions in a fantasy novel—everyone's dying to chug it, but no one knows if it'll make you soar through the sky or turn you into a toad. It's this weird, powerful drug we all crave, right? It can change your life—or heck, even history. People chase it like it's the ultimate escape from the boring grind of reality. We don't want more normal. We want magic. That's love, isn't it?

Or maybe not. I see people toss the word "love" around like it's confetti, and it drives me nuts. They mix it up with desire all the time. Like, if you care about someone platonically, it's friendship—pure and simple. But throw in a little physical spark, and suddenly it's love? Who wrote this rulebook? It's like saying, "Oh, I like this cake," and then, "Oh, I wanna eat this cake," makes it true love. What?

Will I ever get it? Will there be a day when I'm like, "Aha! Love, decoded!"—or better yet, actually feel it for real? No clue. But I'm not giving up. I'll keep wondering, keep fumbling through it. And here I am, trying to write a whole story about love when I'm still lost in the plot myself. Kinda ironic, huh? But maybe that's the fun of it. We're all just bumbling along together, trying to crack this mystery. Maybe you'll figure it out before me—or maybe we'll both be clueless forever. Either way, stick around. Let's see where this wild ride takes us.