Football, What's That?

interaction: @Mikey Forville

When the boy said he had to leave, Victoria gave him a polite nod. She had no idea who KodoPodo was, but of course, she didn’t ask — other people’s private lives weren’t her concern. Still, when the boy thanked her, she was caught off guard. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. Was someone actually thanking her just for talking?

“…You really don’t have to thank me,” she said softly, a gentle expression blooming in her eyes. “If anything, I should be the one thanking you. For both the information… and the nice conversation.”

When he handed her the drawing, Victoria’s eyes lit up with quiet amazement. The picture wasn’t professionally done — but that didn’t matter. The fact that someone had given her something they had made, something personal… it was almost overwhelmingly thoughtful. A smile tugged at her lips before she could stop it.

“…Thanks again. Really. Take care of yourself,” she added sincerely.

The boy turned and walked away without looking back, and for the first time in a long while, Victoria was left alone — but this time, it felt different. The wide smile that spread across her face didn’t need hiding anymore. She had just made her first friend. And she would keep the drawing, no matter what.

With a care that showed just how much it meant to her, Victoria carefully tucked the picture into her bag, smoothing it so it wouldn’t crease. Then, taking one last glance in the direction he had gone, she, too, started walking away with quiet, steady steps. Something inside her — something warm — had shifted.