The days that followed were a whirlwind of quiet, focused activity. Operation: Aviary was no longer just an idea; it was a series of tasks, a checklist of small, achievable goals that gave their group a shared purpose.
Ruby was the first to succeed. She approached Mr. Harrison after class on Wednesday, her heart pounding a nervous rhythm against her ribs. Mr. Harrison was a kind, rumpled man in a tweed jacket who always had chalk dust on his sleeves and a genuine passion for literature.
She explained the idea for the magazine, her voice gaining confidence as she spoke about creating a space for student voices, for poetry and stories that were currently just sitting in notebooks and on hard drives.
Mr. Harrison listened intently, his head tilted, a thoughtful expression on his face. When she finished, he was quiet for a long moment.
