The Medal
The boy carefully picked up the last photograph.
Something slid out from behind it.
A small bronze medal.
Scratched.
Old.
Its ribbon had faded with time.
The girl immediately reached for it.
"Please..."
"Give it back."
The boy handed it to her without hesitation.
"What is it?"
She wiped away her tears.
"It was my dad's."
She held the medal against her chest.
"He received it..."
"...the day before he died."
The hallway had gone completely silent.
Even the students who had laughed earlier...
Were no longer smiling.
The boy looked toward the staircase.
The bullies had stopped walking.
They were watching now.
One of them scoffed.
"It's just a medal."
The girl's voice trembled.
"No."
"It's the last thing..."
"...he ever gave me."
The boy slowly stood.
His eyes never left the group of boys.
May you like
Something inside him...
Had changed.
