Violet

I stood before the enormous school gates, eyes lifted to the towering building beyond. Students in uniforms moved past me, their heads turning, whispering as they walked by.

I didn’t blame them.

I probably looked like a lost street performer with a dog.

My hair was a mess, I didn't have the time to brush it this morning. The baggy shirt I wore hung too long on my arms. And Tiger, my beautiful, oversized dog, sat beside me with his tongue out, mimicking my every movement like a child copying their mother.

I licked the strawberry ice cream in my hand and tilted my head.

Tiger tilted his head...