Braving Shadows: Overcoming Bullying"

Chapter 1: The New Kid Liam stood at the edge of the schoolyard, his hands gripping the straps of his backpack tightly. The unfamiliar sounds of chattering students and bouncing basketballs filled his ears as he scanned the crowd for a friendly face. It was his first day at Riverview Middle School, and though he’d promised himself not to let fear get the best of him, his stomach churned with unease. As he stepped cautiously toward the school’s main entrance, a sharp voice rang out. “Hey, look who’s here! The new kid!” A group of kids turned to look at him, their laughter cutting through the air like shards of glass. At the center of the group was Jason, the self-proclaimed king of the seventh grade. He had a smug grin on his face, his arms crossed as he looked Liam up and down. “What’s your name, newbie?” Jason called out, taking a step closer. “Liam,” he said, his voice barely audible. “Lame Liam,” Jason said with a snicker. The others burst out laughing, and Liam felt his face flush with embarrassment. He quickly looked away, trying to ignore them, but the sting of their laughter lingered in his ears.