At the ripe age of 13, a young daughter watched as children walked with their parents through the park. She had everything she could ever want, riches, an education and a large courtyard to play in but— if that was so, why did she feel suffocated, like she had a rag over her mouth and quieting her every word?
A sigh escaped her lips and she turned away, letting herself fall into this world she had before her, one of academics and knowledge and learning. But what if she wanting more?
Looking out again at the families, she couldn't help but ask herself, "Where are my walks in the park when others have them? Why must I learn to be my father's bright young daughter while they can go out and play?"
Her heart yearned for these experiences, an ache budding in her chest, that could only be soothed with a moment away from these writings.
As she played in her courtyard she peered through the fence of metal and saw children walking into a large, beautiful building of burgundy stone. She watched through the fence and into a window as the children sat before an adult and pulled out books and pens.
She frowned and turned away yet couldn't help but ask herself, "Why is it that they can be together and talk to an adult whilst I am handed a large textbook and am told to read and learn? Why should I sit in the quiet while they sit in a room of chatter?"
Her soul craved this room of conversation, the ache thudding in her chest, that could only be soothed with a mere change in scenery.
Walking through the halls, she could hear nothing but her own breathing, her own footsteps. She held a steady pace hearing sounds so quiet, so loud in this room. The silence sounded louder, she started to feel isolated. She walked over to a large window and listened to the sounds of the outside world. The birds chirping, dogs barking, children playing with their young companions.
Hearing these sounds of life, she wondered what it would be like for the long, lonely halls of this manor were filled with sounds and life. She couldn't help but ask herself, "Why must this silence be so still, yet so deafening?"
Her mind craved for a companion, the ache thundering on, in a way that could only be soothed by a simple sign of life in these barren corridors.
She changed her route to head for her father's study, where he would most likely be working at the time. She stopped in front of the intricately carved doorway and raised her hand to knock. Hesitation did not become of her and her fist's collision with the door resounded through the hallway.
"Enter."
"Father, I have a question."
"Yes, my daughter?"
The girl stood tall, her shoulders set, and chin raised. She spoke, "Father, I have noticed the neighborhood children recently. I must ask, why do they walk through the park with their parents when you hide away here? Why is it that they listen to that adult together while I must read alone? Why am I here, in a large, silent manor without anyone to keep me company?"
The sounds of a pen scratching parchment stopped; the pen having fallen from her father's hand. She did not wait for an answer, the adrenaline already leaving her body. She rushed from the room, leaving a stunned man behind.

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Days later, her birthday celebration arrived. She did not have high hopes, her father has never gifted her anything before. The girl had accepted in these past days that with no confrontation from her father, she would never have her inquiries answered. She'll just have to get used to this ache in her chest.
She moved from her room to the dining hall and was surprised to see her father seated there. They ate together in silence, but once the meal was complete, the girl's father stood.
"Wait here, my daughter. I have something for you."
The girl's eyes widened, and she nodded her head rapidly. She sat at the end of the chair constantly shifting around, anticipating her father's return.
When he came back, he held a box with decorative wrappings on it. Strangely, the box had holes lining the top in two rows. Her father placed the box on the table and stepped back.
"Open it whenever you are ready, dear."
"Father... this is a gift?", She was shocked. Nonetheless, she took off the lid and gasped. Inside was a puppy! A small brown puppy with the most adorable face! "Thank you, Father!"
"What do you want to name him, daughter?"
"Uhm, oh, I know! Caramel, after his beautiful brown fur."
After the new addition to the small family, the house was suddenly filled with more noise. The yips of the puppy, laughter of a girl. The girl was happy, and home felt less lonely, the ache felt a little less strong.
One day, the girl's father told her they had somewhere to go. He led her toward the big school building.
"Now, recently I called the school and asked if they took any new enrollments. They said yes and— "
"Thank you, Father!", the girl exclaimed, hugging her father tightly. Her father smiled back and patted her head. They entered the school and met with the students.
After this, the girl was overjoyed. She was now meeting new people in school and making friends. She felt much less lonely, and the ache felt weaker than it had ever been these past months.

Over the next few months, the girl saw that her father was around more often, and he worked with his office door open. They walked places together with Caramel, shopped together and played together. They were her best of friends and the girl thought that maybe, just maybe, things would be better going forth.