Chapter 1: The Lunchbox in the Trash
That morning, Liam arrived at school in silence. He held his old backpack tightly against his chest, trying to hide the pale blue lunchbox inside like a precious secret.
It was picture day at school. Caroline wanted everything to be perfect. Sophie’s dress — her own daughter’s dress — had been carefully ironed. Her hair was tied with a brand-new pink bow. Liam, even in a clean uniform, still annoyed Caroline because of one thing: his old lunchbox.
“Are you really planning to bring that thing into the picture?” Caroline asked with disgust.
Liam answered softly, “No one will see it. It’s inside my backpack.”
“But I can see it.”
That single sentence made Liam fall silent. He knew that if he argued, his dinner might disappear that night. Or worse, his father would hear Caroline say he was being difficult again.
When the car stopped in front of the school gate, Caroline suddenly snatched Liam’s backpack. He panicked and tried to grab it back, but it was too late.
The lunchbox was pulled out.
“No! Please don’t!” Liam cried.
Caroline did not hesitate. She threw the lunchbox straight into the trash bin in front of everyone.
A dry, hollow sound echoed as it hit the bottom. Several students nearby started laughing.
Liam stood still. The world around him seemed to become cold and empty. He could no longer hear the voices clearly. All he could see was the old lunchbox lying among scraps of paper, plastic cups, and leftover food.
May you like
It was his mother’s lunchbox.
The last thing she had touched before leaving this world.
