Daniel Kpodo

THE NOTE IN THE BOOK

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The Note in the BookChapter One: The Mysterious NoteMonday mornings were never Daniel’s favorite.The school bell had already rung twice, students were rushing through the corridors, and teachers were beginning their lessons. Daniel, however, was sitting quietly in the school library, trying to find a book for his English assignment.His English teacher had given the class an assignment to write an essay about “A Person Who Changed My Life.” Daniel had spent the entire weekend thinking about it, but he still had no idea what to write.He walked slowly between the shelves, reading the titles of different books.“Maybe this one,” he whispered.He reached for a blue book on the top shelf. As he pulled it out, something fell from between the pages and landed on the floor.It was a small folded piece of paper.Daniel looked around.Nobody seemed to be watching.He picked it up and opened it.There was only one sentence written on it:Sometimes, the person you are looking for is closer than you think.Daniel read it twice.Then he smiled.“Who wrote this?”He looked at the handwriting. It was neat and careful, with small hearts drawn beside the sentence.Daniel placed the note inside his pocket and continued searching for a book.A few minutes later, someone walked into the library.“Excuse me.”Daniel turned around.It was Mia.Mia was one of the quietest students in their class, but she was also one of the smartest. She usually sat near the window during lessons and spent most of her break time reading or talking with her best friend, Sarah.Daniel had noticed her many times before, but they had never really talked.Mia walked toward the shelf where Daniel was standing.“Have you seen a small piece of paper?” she asked.Daniel immediately knew what she meant.He took the note from his pocket.“This one?”Mia froze.Her eyes widened.“Yes.”Daniel handed it to her.She quickly took it.“Thank you.”Daniel smiled.“It’s a nice message.”Mia looked down at the note.“Maybe.”“Did you write it?”She hesitated.“Yes.”Daniel smiled again.“Why did you write it?”Mia shrugged.“I don't know. I just felt like writing it.”Daniel wanted to ask more, but the librarian suddenly looked up.“Please keep your voices down.”They both laughed quietly.Mia returned the note to her book and walked away.Daniel watched her leave.For some reason, he couldn't stop thinking about the sentence.Sometimes, the person you are looking for is closer than you think.He didn't know it yet, but that little note was about to change his life.---Chapter Two: A New FriendshipThe next morning, Daniel arrived at school earlier than usual.He told himself that he wanted to finish his English assignment before class.That wasn't completely true.He also hoped he would see Mia.When he entered the classroom, only a few students were there.Sarah was sitting at her desk, arranging her books.Mia was beside her.Daniel walked past them and took his seat.“Good morning,” Mia said.Daniel turned around.“Good morning.”It was only two words, but Daniel couldn't stop smiling afterward.During English class, their teacher asked everyone to work in pairs.Daniel looked around.Before he could choose someone, the teacher said, “Daniel, you can work with Mia.”Daniel looked at Mia.She smiled.“Looks like we're partners.”Daniel laughed.“Looks like it.”They moved their desks together.At first, they were both quiet.Then Mia asked, “What are you writing about?”Daniel looked at his blank paper.“Honestly? I don't know.”Mia laughed.“You've been staring at that paper for ten minutes.”“I was thinking.”“You were thinking very hard.”Daniel smiled.“What about you?”“I think I'm going to write about my grandmother.”“Why?”“She always encouraged me when I was younger. Whenever I thought I couldn't do something, she reminded me that I could.”Daniel nodded.“That sounds like a good topic.”“What about you?”Daniel thought for a moment.“Maybe I'll write about someone I haven't known for very long.”Mia raised an eyebrow.“Who?”Daniel smiled.“I'm not telling you.”“That's unfair. We're partners.”“Maybe I'll tell you later.”Mia laughed.For the rest of the lesson, they worked together.They discovered that they had more in common than they expected.They both liked music.They both enjoyed reading.They both hated waking up early.And they both loved chocolate.By the end of the lesson, Daniel realized something.He had spent almost an entire hour talking to Mia without feeling uncomfortable once.Their friendship grew quickly after that.They began studying together during free periods.They helped each other with difficult assignments.They exchanged jokes during break.Sometimes, they would sit under a large tree near the school field and talk until the bell rang.Daniel began looking forward to school.Even Mondays weren't so bad

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