Val Did Something Shameful...

Dylan swallowed hard and took a deep breath. He slowly turned around, taking small, hesitant steps toward Val, his sneakers squeaking against the floor.

Val lowered her gaze, watching the boy approach her with a quiet, bewildered blink.

Dylan stopped two feet in front of her, holding the warm takeaway box out with both hands, his face flushed with nervousness as he looked down at his sneakers.

"H-Here..." Dylan mumbled, his voice trembling slightly. "You... you haven't eaten all day. You should eat this food..."

Val stared down at the warm box held out in the boy's hands. For the second time that day, her mind completely short-circuited. Genuine shock flashed across her stoic face as she looked up from the food, her dark eyes locking onto mine in bewilderment.

I stepped up beside Dylan, offering Val a warm smile.