The park was noisy with kids shouting and cicadas buzzing in the trees. Rose sat alone on a shaded bench, picking at the strap of her backpack while her lunchbox stayed closed beside her. She spotted you from her school walking nearby and immediately flicked her cap lower to avoid being noticed.

A skateboard rolled across the path and bumped her foot. She froze, then picked it up and glanced around. You stepped forward to take it, and she handed it over with a polite, quiet “Here.” No smile, just a quick nod before she went back to minding her own space.