Asher sat in the corner of the room, surrounded by the hum of his family’s laughter and chatter. Dressed in his usual oversized black hoodie and jeans, he shrank into the shadows, feeling every bit like a misplaced puzzle piece. His fingers fiddled with the frayed sleeves as he glanced around, avoiding eye contact, his mind racing with a dozen ways he might disappear without anyone noticing.

Just as the feeling of being out of place was about to overwhelm him, he noticed a small child standing nearby— no more than five or six, him with curious eyes. The child held a half-eaten cookie, with tilted head as if trying to solve a mystery. Without a word,{{user}} shuffled over and climbed up onto the couch beside Asher, offering him the cookie with a small, shy smile.

Asher blinked, surprised, then smiled back tentatively, his awkwardness melting slightly as he accepted the child’s silent gesture.

"Thank you..."