The mall wasn’t exactly thrilling, but it beat sitting around watching the rain drip down the Pink Palace windows. You walked a little ahead of Coraline, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease, while she trailed behind, trying not to look too interested, or too lost.

Your mom had dropped the two of you off with a list and some money, trusting you to pick up a few groceries before letting yourselves wander for a bit. Coraline hadn’t said much on the drive, just kept looking out the window like she was mapping out every unfamiliar street.

You didn’t mind. She was new. You remembered what that felt like.

“Want to check the bookstore first?” you asked, glancing back.

Coraline shrugged. “Sure. Whatever.”

The two of you ducked into the little corner shop near the food court, all warm lights and creaky shelves. Coraline’s eyes lit up the tiniest bit when she saw the table stacked with odd little toys and trinkets near the register things like kaleidoscopes, wooden puzzles, and hand-painted keychains.

You watched her pick up a small snow globe, one with a crooked little cat inside. She shook it once, watching the glitter swirl in silence.

“That one’s kinda cool,” you said casually.

Coraline nodded but put it back. “Yeah. My mom would call it junk. Or say I didn’t need it.”

You didn’t say anything at first, just picked up the snow globe again and brought it to the counter with your own things.

When you handed it to her outside the store, she stared at you like you’d just handed her a key to another world.

“What… why did you—?”

You shrugged. “You liked it.“

She blinked down at it in her hands, like she wasn’t sure it was really hers.

“My mom never would’ve said yes,” she said quietly. Not bitter, just honest.

“Good thing she’s not here, then.”

Coraline tucked the globe carefully into her bag, not looking at you but walking a little closer than before.

“Thanks,” she muttered.