A Notebook Can Change Your Life

The book was out of place. It was in the middle of the bright green grass. Alyssa felt like it was a reflection of who she was. Her black flyaway hair and green eyes drew her to the spot. She stood over the book examining it. The thin spine and the unassuming look of the book made her want to open it. She looked around to see if anyone was paying attention.

There was no one in the area, and everyone else at the park seemed to be involved in their own thing. She sat down on the soft damp grass trying to appear nonchalant. She sat next to the book, not daring to touch it yet. Alyssa leaned back propped up on her arms. She continued to scan the area, waiting for someone to show up and claim it.

It was only a few minutes before she decided it was safe to open the book. She crossed her legs and put the book in her lap. It was clearly a journal. The lines in the book were neatly filled in. It was almost like reading a different language. Cursive.

The words took some time to decipher. She had seen cursive before and typed with it on occasion to make her signature line look more like a real signature. It was not something she saw often at all. Each person's handwriting is different. In this case, the cursive was different than any she had read before.

“This book is not what it appears to be. It is a symbol of a life that has gone too quickly past. Beware, reader.”

Alyssa chuckled at the first page. It sounded like it was written by a paranoid teenager trying to keep their nosy sibling out of their journal. Alyssa glanced around once more before turning to the next page.

"Dear Diary, today is my 18th birthday. Mom and dad gave me this journal for my birthday. It’s not anything fancy. They told me they knew I was growing up so they wanted to give me a book that would look nice. At least it’s better than the one covered with teddy bears. I guess any book will do. Someday I will be a famous writer. I feel like I’m so far behind what I am supposed to be. I wanted to be published before I was 18 but that apparently didn’t happen. I can’t believe my life is so boring. I just wish my life was more interesting."

"Dear Diary, you are never going to believe what happened. This morning I woke up and there was a gift on the door stoop for me. Mom and dad didn’t know what it was. I thought it must have been a family member who stopped by late. I opened it and it was an invitation to the Authors Gala. It had a visa gift card in it for like $1000. I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a joke or something but I called the number on the invitation and they had my name down. It’s tomorrow night, they are going to send a limo for me. I just have to get a dress."

"Dear Diary, the Authors Gala was unbelievable. There was all type of authors there. So many geniuses in one room. I couldn’t even believe it. I just sat and soaked up all they had to say. It was amazing. It makes me want to just sit and write. I wish that I could finish one of my novels. I feel like I am always working on them."

"Dear Diary, perhaps turning 18 was just what I needed. I spent all night working on my novel and I haven’t slept. It was 12 straight hours of working on my novel. I feel like I got so much done. I wrote it all down by hand and I still have to type it up but it has to be thousands of words. I feel like I’m actually making progress. I really had something to write about. I just need to find someone to publish me. I wish I knew one of those publishers at the gala."

"Dear Diary, another day spent working on my novel and I finished it. You are never going to believe this, a publisher called me. They got my name at the authors gala and called me! It’s like a dream come true. I can’t even believe this is happening to me. It’s like all of my dreams have come true."

Alyssa looked up, this had to be some type of fiction. No one ever had this much good happen to them in that short of time. She flicked through some more pages. They continued to hold news of amazing fortune for this nameless 18-year-old. She was curious who this belonged to. From what she gathered the author of this journal was now a published author. After flipping through half the book she found the rest empty. The final passage a message.

To whoever picks up this book, be careful. It will make your dreams come true. As with any wishes, there are consequences. Be clear about what you want or you will end up like me, a life altered.

The frown caused Alyssa’s eyebrows to furrow. She didn’t understand this last passage. It was only a small black book. It wasn’t like it could really make dreams come true. She closed the book, looking it over. The black cover was unassuming. A ribbon strung through the book holding the reader's last place. The band closed the book to unwanted eyes. It did not seem to be anything magical.

Alyssa looked around furtively and then collected the book. It may not look like magic but she was willing to take the chance. What did she have to lose anyway? If it wasn’t magic she had found a simple notebook.

The mile walk to her small studio apartment seemed to lengthen with each step. The notebook was tucked away in her bag. Though hidden it felt as if everyone who passed by her was looking at it. She hit the steps of her apartment and walked up the 4 floors. The number on the door was upside down, as usual, this time she didn’t stop to fix it.

The apartment was dimly lit by the one window. The sun shining through the cracks between the wall and the sheet she hung for curtains. She turned the light on and placed the notebook at the table. She needed a minute to think.

Alyssa busied herself in the kitchen. Heating some water and pulling out her favorite mug. The hand-painted mermaid tale represented her dream. She wanted so much more than this little life. Her job at the coffee shop was okay but it wasn’t what she dreamed of. She wanted to travel the world. She wanted to be able to live like her favorite insta idol.

Sitting at the table, Alyssa sipped on her hot green tea. The warmth of the tea radiated through her hands. She looked at the notebook, her mind exploring all the things she could do. The problem was she didn’t want to do anything unless she knew it was real.

She picked up her pen, her mind formulating a plan. It had to be something easy but amazing. There had to be something that would prove the book and its worth.

Alyssa closed her eyes and put her pen to the paper, each stroke drying quickly. Her plan cemented in the written word.A knock on the door broke Alyssa’s concentration. She put her pen down. The plan was in place. Now to see who was at the door.

“Alyssa Cervantes?” The man was dressed very specifically in a bright green jacket with orange shoes.

“I’m Alyssa.”

“This is for you.” He handed her a brown suitcase, nodded his head, and walked away. Alyssa peeked into the briefcase but knew what it held. $20,000. She smiled and looked at the unassuming notebook on the table. This notebook was going to change her life.