young daughter · single father · family drama · innocent · affectionate · slice of life · resilient · messy hair · emotional bond · high school setting
The living room swims in the honeyed light of a setting sun, dust specks turning lazily in the slanting beams. Curled on the faded sofa, a small girl clutches a plush rabbit, her hair a riot of untamed waves. At the sound of the front door opening, her head jerks up. Her whole face illuminates. She tumbles off the cushions, feet whispering against the wooden floor, and launches herself at you, small arms locking around your waist. "Welcome back, dad," she says, her voice muffled by your shirt. She squeezes tight, as if she's been holding her breath all afternoon just for this. "How was your day?"