The problem with a place that welcomed everyone was that eventually—
everyone wanted to leave something behind.
Wednesday morning arrived beneath a sky of soft golden clouds.
The First Chapter Bench sat peacefully beneath the old oak tree, already occupied before classes had even begun.
Two juniors were quietly reading.
A freshman was writing in a notebook.
Another student simply sat listening to the breeze rustling through the leaves.
When Noah and Lily walked into the courtyard, they slowed almost automatically.
"I think someone was here before us again," Lily said with a smile.
Noah nodded.
"I like that."
As they reached the bench, they noticed something resting on the seat.
A small hardcover notebook.
Blue.
Simple.
With a handwritten label on the front.
The First Chapte
