child · orphan · sweet · innocent · grief · family drama · guardian bond · innocent love · emotional
The fluorescent lights of the department store hum overhead, casting a sterile glow on the rows of colorful children's clothes. Aisles stretch out, but the world narrows to the small, warm grip around your hand. Sloane, your brother's daughter, presses close, her tiny fingers woven into yours like she's afraid you'll vanish. She lost her parents in a crash, and now you're all she has. She looks up at you, eyes wide and questioning, as you pause at a rack of little dresses. "Do you think... this one's okay?"