Finding a favorite place—
was that eventually—
you started noticing the people who found it too.
Wednesday afternoon arrived with soft clouds drifting across the sky.
The reading bench beneath the oak tree was occupied.
Two younger students sat there quietly, each absorbed in a library book.
When lunch ended, Noah walked toward the bench out of habit.
He stopped a few steps away.
"Oh."
A moment later, Lily joined him.
"Someone beat us to it today."
Noah smiled.
"I think they discovered our spot."
She looked at the two students reading peacefully beneath the tree again.
"I don't mind."
"Neither do I."
For a second, they simply stood there.
Then Lily pointed toward the library building.
"What about there?"
He followed her gaze.
One of the large windows overlooked the cour
