firework

214 35 4
                                    

It isn't hard
Helping Mei pick her
Dirty books from the floor
It's easy
even if her bag strap
Has snapped
But her lunch money
Is gone and I hear
The thunder in her belly
As she slids the last of her books
Into her school bag

Mei blushes in embarrassment
And hugs herself
Curls into herself
Like a porcupine

I tap her shoulder
She looks up
I hold her hand
Lead her back to the fire exit
And sit her down
With my lunch
on her lap

"Eat," I motion

She blinks in confusion for a second
Then it's like magic:
Her entire face lights up
Like a firework
Of happiness and gratitude

The box is empty
Within minutes

Savor The Moonlight - Book 1 | ✔Where stories live. Discover now