After January
... As it is the completion of his VCE, he sees his future to be unknown. There is no longer the “usual symmetry about the holidays” that he has accustomed to. The Caloundra vacation is the point in which time stands still for Alex as uncertainty, fear and the ceaseless waiting continues. The idea of “waiting” is a motif used throughout to show evidently that Alex is waiting for the next chapter of his life to begin. It can be predicted that the key to his future lies in his vacation as the idea of change is already known. “It is as though the future is held here. Held at bay, held at more than arm’s length.” Alex is noticeably self conscious. ”But then maybe no one else is built with a chest like a bird cage, a body shape not often found desirable…” When Alex notices Fortuna on the beach for the first time, it is evident that he would not expect her to notice him. “This is the last thing I need, to be floating around staring into the sun at some girl I can’t even see properly” Although Alex does not expect Fortuna make a second glance towards him, it is obvious through the language and repetition that Alex does towards her. “I wash the salt away and rub the water from my skin. I head towards the newsagent with the towel around my shoulders and my coins in my hand. And I see the girl.” As the book progresses, Alex’s personality seems to slightly alter as he gets to know Fortuna. Fortuna’s character could be said to represent change in Alex’s life as his self consciousness and low self esteem disappears whenever Fortuna is around. Fortuna’s relationship with Alex is a very critical period in his life as it is a period in which his actions will shape his future. “I imagine the city taking all these colours away, and F wilting like and exotic plant taken to a cold climate and kept indoors …Maybe she needs this light, the space, the sea breeze.” When Alex receives his result he realises that there is more t...