Hark! An idea!

Grab it and run! Run, Molly, run!

We have been assigned a "creative project" in one of my English classes in lieu of an actual final. Sounds a little lame in my opinion, but seeing as it means that I have one less exam to take, I shouldn't complain.

My original plan was to take a long hard look at Looking for Alaska (by John Green. Brilliant book; funny in its delivery, sympathetic to the trial that is teenaged angst, doubly so to those of us who were the nerdy smart kids, poignant, sweet, and smart. Check out his website. Seriously, I'd chase this guy if he weren't married already...) and make a scrapbook of it (can't tell you too much about it because I don't want to spoil it).

But even as I critically reread it, looked for ideas ans clues, I realized that 1) to make a cheesy scrapbook out of such a well-written book is to rob it of all of the virtues extolled above; 2) it would hardly count for a decent project; if I were the professor I wouldn't give it an A; and 3) scrapbooking, while fun, is expensive. And I am poor. Quite poor. Like, college-student-with-no-beer-in-the-fridge-because-it's-superflous poor. I can't afford to make a scrapbook that will look nice, and it would suck to spend that much time and money on a project that I know is a really half-assed idea (read: not creative, a mere rehash of someone else's great idea).

So in short, I scrapped the scrapbook, and that left me with no other ideas and six days until the project is due.

But fear not! For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people! For unto you... (oh, wrong story...)

Anyway, fear not! For included on the list of acceptable mediums for this project is "writing a short story!" And my friends, I can write a short story! Moreover, writing is free! All you need to buy is coffee and various calorie-laden foods to keep you awake and focused!

And furthermore. I had an idea for one in August and just sat down and started writing it. Started, but never finished. But it deals with young adult themes, which is the sole criterion of this project. And if I do say so myself, it's a decent story. And it's already four pages long, so I don't have to scramble for a new idea.

Who's have thought that insomnia-induced, late-night writing over the summer would result in a final project four months later? My guardian angel's a thinker, I tell you...