Little Hands, Heavy Hearts
HUGE TW: child abuse (all chapters told from taylor's pov unless otherwise put)
Taylor is only five when she learns that the world can be cruel. Living in an abusive household, her days are filled with fear, silence, and secrets too heavy for such small shoulders. But everything begins to shift on the first day of kindergarten, when she meets a boy named Travis. Travis is kind, curious, and instantly drawn to the quiet girl with the sad eyes. As their friendship grows, he starts to notice the bruises Taylor hides and the way her smile never quite reaches her eyes. Though he's just a kid himself, he understands enough to know something is wrong-and he makes a promise to always be there for her. Bound by a secret neither of them fully understands, Taylor and Travis find safety in each other's presence. Through scraped knees, whispered stories, and pinky promises, their connection deepens into something unshakable. But as they grow up, the weight of what Taylor endures threatens to pull her under-and Travis begins to realize that love alone might not be enough to save her.
