The Way We Stay Story 11: The Orange Slice

Story 11: The Orange Slice

The park was quiet in the morning.
Not empty.
Just calm.

Aiko sat on the steps near the swings.
Her lunch box rested beside her.

Inside were orange slices.
Carefully peeled.
Carefully placed.

She watched a boy nearby build a road in the sand.
He didn’t look up.

Aiko opened her box.
The orange smelled bright.

She took one slice.
Then stopped.

Okaasan sat a little behind her.
Not watching closely.
Just there.

Aiko stood.
Walked slowly.
Held out the orange slice.

“For you,” she said softly.

The boy looked up.
Surprised.

He took it.
“Thank you,” he said.

They sat.
Not talking.
Eating.

The sand road grew wider.
Aiko added a small bridge with her fingers.

The boy smiled.
He moved his car across it.

Okaasan watched from the bench.
She didn’t wave.
She didn’t interrupt.

When it was time to leave,
Aiko bowed her head slightly.

“Bye,” she said.

The boy waved.

Aiko walked back.
Her lunch box lighter.
Her steps fuller.

Friendship doesn’t always start with words.
Sometimes it begins
with sharing what we have.

What helped Aiko make a new friend?

Share something small today.
Food.
Time.
A smile.