Leaving a message—
was that eventually—
someone answered it.
Thursday morning arrived beneath a sky painted with soft shades of blue.
A gentle breeze stirred the leaves of the old oak tree as students crossed the courtyard on their way to class.
The First Chapter Bench was already occupied.
Not by readers this time—
but by the little blue Visitor's Notebook.
Waiting.
When Noah and Lily reached the bench, Noah picked it up almost automatically.
"It already feels different."
Lily smiled.
"Open it."
He turned the page they had written in yesterday.
Beneath his message—
someone had added another.
«"Thank you for sharing your page. It reminded me that I'm not reading alone."»
Noah paused.
He read it twice.
Then smiled.
"I don't know who wrote this."
Lily looked at the words
