Niah's POV
The morning after Jules convinced Niah to leave her apartment, there was an unexpected sense of relief washing over her. The day felt oddly calming, filled with laughter and peaceful moments, offering a break from her usual routine.
By sunset, Niah found herself at her kitchen table, still pondering over her conversation with Jules. The idea had taken a root, slowly but surely growing in her mind.
"Maybe… I should try something different," she whispered.
Jules had thrown out the suggestion casually, but it was stuck with Niah. A hobby, something to distract her from the mounting pressures in her life. But not just any hobby. She wanted something that connected her with the world, something real and hands-on.
Joining the community archive project felt like the answer she'd been searching for. This wasn't simply about dusty old books; it was something fresh, a chance to be a part of something more significant than herself. She could make a contribution, help preserve Eldermere's history. And maybe… just maybe, it could help her untangle the mess of thoughts that weighed her down.
She could envision it already: sorting through old documents, cataloging records, diving into the town's forgotten tales. For some reason, the thought resonated deeply within her.
Niah picked up her phone, her fingers pausing as she navigated to Father Delran's contact. They didn't know each other well, though just a few polite exchanges and casual sightings near the chapel, plus that one time she saw him chatting with Maria from a distance. It felt like now was the right moment to reach out.
After a moment's hesitation, she typed out a message on her phone and pressed send:
Hey, Father Delran. It's Niah Viremont from the Greenbell bookstore. I'd love to help with the community archives. Could you fill me in on how to get involved?
Setting the phone down, she felt a strange mix of anticipation and nerves bubbling up in her chest. There was no turning back now; she was stepping into something new.
A notification popped up on her screen. Father Delran had responded almost instantly.
Of course, Niah. Come by the chapel tomorrow afternoon. I'll introduce you to the project coordinator. Looking forward to meeting you.
For a long time, Niah stared at the screen, feeling both excitement and anxiety swirling within her.
Tomorrow.
It was official. She was ready to leap into the unknown.
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