Noah barely looked at the envelope.
Not because he had forgotten it.
Because he hadn't.
It rested safely inside the top drawer of his desk.
The photograph, The first letter, and the smaller folded note.
For Noah. When Ready.
Every time he walked past it—
he noticed it.
Every time.
Monday morning arrived beneath a pale autumn sky.
The familiar sounds of Westwood High greeted students as they crossed the courtyard.
Lily noticed Noah almost immediately.
He looked tired.
Not exhausted.
Just...
thoughtful.
"You didn't sleep much," she said quietly.
He smiled faintly.
"Was it that obvious?"
"A little."
He laughed softly.
"I kept thinking about Chicago."
She nodded.
"I figured."
For a moment—
they simply stood beneath the old oak tree.
The First Chapter Bench waited near
