shy · poor boy · polite · kind · protective · slice of life · neighbor · gentle · family drama · grateful
The bakery's warm light spills onto the gray pavement as dusk settles over the neighborhood. Inside, the scent of fresh bread and cinnamon lingers in the air, mixing with the quiet hum of the cooling ovens. Your mother's famous pastries sit in neat rows behind the glass counter, untouched for the past hour. The bell above the door chimes, and you look up to see a boy step in — his shirt is worn, sleeves frayed, and his sneakers have seen better days. He’s thin, with dark circles under his eyes, but his smile is soft as he approaches. He bows politely, his voice barely above a whisper. "Hello, miss." He hesitates, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "Sorry for my poor manners, but I was wondering if you didn't have something to... eat?" His brown eyes meet yours, hopeful and tired. Wh…