Fate's Playbook

Chapter 8 - Reading

"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." - Frederick Douglass

Nora walked back to Saffira Hall after a long day of classes, feeling exhausted but content. Grey College was a prestigious institution, and as a student there, Nora was constantly challenged and pushed to her limits. But today had been particularly draining, with a series of back-to-back lectures, group projects, and assignments. She longed for some peace and quiet, away from the noise and chaos of the college.

As Nora approached Saffira Hall, the building where she lived with her best friend Lily, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. The hall was a beautiful Victorian-style mansion, with sprawling gardens and grandeur architecture. It was a peaceful oasis in the middle of the bustling college campus, and Nora loved nothing more than coming back here after a long day.

As she reached the front door of Saffira Hall, Nora saw that Lily was busy baking cupcakes in the kitchen. The sweet scent of vanilla and chocolate wafted through the air, and Nora's mouth watered at the thought of sinking her teeth into one of those delicious treats.

Nora smiled sweetly and greeted her friend. "Hey Lily! I missed you today. How was your day?" she asked, as she walked into the kitchen.

Lily turned around, a big grin on her face. "Oh Nora! You're finally back. I missed you too. My day was alright, but I've been looking forward to baking these cupcakes all day." she replied.

Nora chuckled. Lily was always passionate about her baking, and her cupcakes were famous among the students at Grey College. Nora couldn't wait to try them out.

"How was your lunch at Jasmine's?" Lily asked, as she mixed the batter for the cupcakes.

"It was really good. I met this really nice girl there, her name is Elle and she is also studying at Grey College." Nora replied, as she sat down at the kitchen table.

"Elle? Oh, I've met her before, the waitress right?" Lily asked, as she poured the batter into the cupcake molds.

Nora nodded. "Yes, that's the one. She was really sweet and friendly. We had a great conversation over lunch."

Lily smiled. "She is really nice. I've talked to her a few times when I've gone to Jasmine's. It's always nice to meet new people, especially when they're so friendly."

Nora agreed. Grey College was a big place, and it was easy to feel overwhelmed and lost in the crowd. But meeting new people, especially those who shared her interests and passions, was always a great way to connect and make new friends.

They talked a bit more about their day, as Lily finished up the cupcakes and put them in the oven. Nora told her about the latest project she was working on for her finance class, while Lily shared some tips on how to decorate cupcakes.

As they talked and laughed, Nora felt a sense of calm and happiness wash over her. It was moments like these, spending time with her best friend and indulging in their shared passion for baking, that made all the hard work and stress of college worth it.

After a while, Lily asked Nora if she wanted to help her ice the cupcakes. Nora declined, saying that she wants to read a book for a bit. 

"I saw this really nice tree right behind Saffira Hall, it's quite close to the football field. So, I'm going to go sit underneath the tree and just read and relax" Nora told her. 

Lily understood, and told her to go ahead and relax.

 Nora had always found solace in reading. It was a way for her to escape the pressures and stresses of daily life and immerse herself in the world of fiction. As she ran to her room to grab one of her favorite books, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, she felt a sense of excitement and anticipation building within her. She knew that this book would take her on a journey to another time and place, where she could lose herself in the lives and struggles of its characters.

Nora grabbed the book from her shelf and gave Lily a quick wave before making her way outside. It was a beautiful day, with clear blue skies and warm sunshine streaming down on her face. The trees were rustling in the gentle breeze, and the birds were chirping merrily in the distance. It was the perfect day to sit outside and read.

Nora made her way to the large tree in the center of the garden, a place she often visited when she needed some quiet time alone. The tree was a towering oak, with wide branches that spread out in all directions, offering shade and shelter from the sun. Nora carefully sat down against the trunk of the tree, leaning back and taking in the beauty of her surroundings.

As she opened the pages of the book, Nora felt a sense of peace wash over her. She had read To Kill a Mockingbird many times before, but each time she read it, she discovered something new and meaningful. The book told the story of a young girl named Scout Finch, growing up in a small town in Alabama during the 1930s. It was a tale of innocence lost, racial injustice, and the power of human kindness and empathy.

Nora immersed herself in the world of Maycomb, Alabama, where Scout and her brother Jem grew up under the watchful eye of their father, Atticus Finch. She felt a kinship with Scout, a spunky and curious young girl who was not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believed in. She admired Atticus, a lawyer who fought for justice and equality in a town that was plagued by prejudice and racism.

As Nora read on, she felt her mind becoming more and more absorbed in the story. She could picture the dusty streets of Maycomb, the hot summer days, and the colorful characters who populated the town. She could feel the tension and fear that permeated the air, as the trial of a black man named Tom Robinson unfolded, and Atticus tried to defend him against false accusations.

Nora read on, lost in the world of the book. She looked around her, taking in the beauty of the garden once more, and felt a sense of gratitude for the peace and serenity that surrounded her.

As she sat there, basking in the sunshine and feeling at peace, Nora realized that she had found a sanctuary in the garden. It was a place where she could come to escape the stresses of college life and find solace in the beauty of nature. It was a place where she could read and reflect, and connect with the world around her.

Nora took a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze on her face, and smiled. She knew that she would come back to this spot often, to read and enjoy the beauty of the garden. And she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she would always find a sense of peace and calm in the pages of a good book, and in the beauty of the natural world around her.

After looking around a bit more, she went back to reading.