The world in books seemed so much more alive to me than anything outside. I could see things I'd never seen before. Books and music were my best friends. I had a couple of good friends at school, but never met anyone I could really speak my heart to. We'd just make small talk, play soccer together. When something bothered me, I didn't talk with anyone about it. I thought it over all by myself, came to a conclusion, and took action alone. Not that I really felt lonely. I thought that's just the way things are. Human beings, in the final analysis, have to survive on their own.
The narrator reflects on their deep connection with books and music, finding them to be far more vibrant and engaging than the reality around them. Through literature, they encountered worlds and experiences beyond their own. Though they had a few friends at school, those relationships lacked depth, limited to casual conversations and shared activities like soccer. The narrator grappled with personal struggles in solitude, preferring to process thoughts and make decisions independently.
This sense of independence led the narrator to believe that solitude was a natural part of life. They felt no profound loneliness but accepted that human existence often requires one to navigate challenges alone. This perspective emphasizes a resilient attitude towards life's difficulties, indicating a belief that individual survival is an essential part of the human experience, even amidst the longing for deeper connections.
