The First Meeting
482 Words
Lila spent the rest of the day thinking about the school magazine.
She had always loved writing, but she had never imagined anyone else would enjoy reading her work.
As the final bell rang, she made her way to Room 204, where the first magazine meeting was being held.
When she arrived, only a few students were there.
Mrs. Carter smiled as she walked in.
“I’m glad you came.”
Lila smiled back and took a seat near the window.
More students slowly entered the room until there were about ten of them.
Mrs. Carter stood at the front.
“Welcome, everyone. This magazine belongs to you. I want it to reflect your ideas, your creativity, and your voices.”
She handed everyone a sheet of paper.
“Our first edition will be published in six weeks. You’ll each choose something you’d like to write about.”
The room filled with quiet conversation.
A boy sitting across from Lila introduced himself.
“I’m Ethan.”
“Lila.”
“I’ve read one of your essays before.”
She looked surprised.
“You have?”
“It won the history competition last semester.”
Lila smiled politely.
“Thank you.”
Mrs. Carter began writing topics on the board.
School events.
Student life.
Opinion pieces.
Short stories.
Poetry.
Interviews.
Lila’s eyes stopped on one word.
Short stories.
Mrs. Carter noticed.
“I had a feeling that would catch your attention.”
Lila laughed softly.
“I’ve always wanted to write one.”
“Then write one.”
The meeting ended just before five o’clock.
As Lila packed her notebook, Noah appeared at the classroom door.
“You ready to go?”
She looked surprised.
“You waited?”
“I told my mom I’d be a little late.”
They walked out of the building together.
The school grounds were almost empty.
“I’m glad you joined,” Noah said.
“You are?”
“Yeah. You always seem happiest when you’re writing.”
She looked at him.
“You noticed?”
“I notice more than you think.”
Lila felt herself smile.
They reached the school gate, where Noah’s mother was waiting.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said.
“See you.”
As Noah got into the car, Lila began walking toward her own pickup point.
She didn’t notice the folded piece of paper lying on the ground until the wind blew it against her shoe.
She picked it up.
There were no names on it.
Only one sentence written in black ink.
Some stories are better left untold.
Lila looked around.
The school grounds were empty.
Whoever had left the note was already gone.
She slipped the paper into her bag, telling herself it was probably someone’s idea of a joke.
But as she walked away, she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had been watching her.
- Writer
