Tom shrugged. “I’ll be fine. We can share. That way, neither of us is hungry.”
For a moment, Mia hesitated. Then, slowly, she picked up the half sandwich, her eyes shining with gratitude. Together, they ate in comfortable silence.
By the time lunch ended, Mia’s cheeks had regained their color. She even laughed when Tom cracked a silly joke. On the playground afterward, her giggles mixed with the shouts of other kids — like sunshine breaking through clouds.
As the bell rang, Mia waved. “If I get a lunchbox tomorrow,” she called brightly, “I’ll share with you!”
Tom grinned back. He didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but he was glad she didn’t feel alone anymore.
