Kora

The Library

Hillsdale City High School is one of the most beautiful high schools in the country. It's one of those rare preparatory schools that feels like it's open to everyone. The George Peabody Library is breathtaking. Every time Kora steps inside, she thinks to herself how it feels more like a museum than a place of books.

This library became her sanctuary over the years. As you can imagine, she doesn't exactly fit in. She's a scholarship kid, and way too serious about everything. Her dad is a police officer, and her mom died when she was eight. A tragedy that changed the way she views the world. She learned from a young age that nothing in this world is guaranteed and not to take anyone for granted. Her dad tells her that if she wants to make her dreams happen, she must fight for them. Even if it means she has to fight harder than everybody else.

"Life is never going to treat you fairly, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't go after what you want," he would say.

Those words always ring in her head. Kora is determined not to let anything or anyone get in the way of her ultimate goal, which is to get into a great college. She plans to major in journalism and minor in art history.

She developed a fascination for art after taking "Art Appreciation" last year. This is one of the reasons why Kora always finds herself mystified by how her mind works. She had never shown interest in art before that class, but now she's obsessed.

Looking for another art book, she strolls through an aisle dedicated to Van Gogh. She turns to the corner in the back, a place that is secluded from most of the library. She finds two people making out. Kora runs away in shock. She quickly makes her way downstairs and out of the library. Students make out all the time, but this time it's different. It was Elena with an older guy she'd never seen before. Where did he come from? She wondered.

Elena is Kenneth's sister; she's very different from her brother. Elena is outspoken and loves to hang out with the basketball team. She's known for her on-and-off relationship with Jason, a point guard for the Hillsdale High Basketball Team. So what was she doing making out with a random guy?

Kora shrugs, determined not to let what she saw ruin her day. Why should she worry about someone like Elena? She heads to her Calculus class early, knowing no one will be there, so she can hang out outside and wait for her free period to end.