Leah, a fourth-grade student, was excited to start a new school year at Oak Hills Elementary. As she walked through the bustling hallways, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous about making new friends. But all that changed when she met a group of students who welcomed her with open arms.

Leah's first day was a whirlwind of new faces and unfamiliar routines. She felt a little lost, but then she spotted a group of students gathered around a table in the cafeteria, laughing and chatting. Mustering up her courage, Leah approached them and asked if she could join them. To her delight, the group welcomed her warmly and introduced themselves as Ethan, Sophia, and Aiden.

Over the next few days, Leah found herself spending more and more time with her new friends. They would sit together during lunch, share snacks, and even work on group projects in class. Leah was amazed at how quickly she had found her place in the school community, and she felt grateful to have such kind and supportive friends.

However, not everyone at Oak Hills Elementary was as friendly as Leah's new group. One day, as Leah was carrying her tray of food to the table, a bully named Max purposefully bumped into her, causing her to drop her lunch all over the floor. Leah felt her face flush with embarrassment as she tried to clean up the mess, holding back tears.

But just as Leah was about to give up, Ethan, Sophia, and Aiden sprang into action. They quickly gathered paper towels and helped Leah clean up the spill. They then ushered her to their table and offered to share their own lunches with her. Leah was touched by their kindness and felt grateful to have such loyal and supportive friends.

From that day on, Leah's friends made sure to watch out for her and protect her from the bully, Max. Whenever he tried to pick on Leah, they would stand up to him and defend their friend. Leah felt safe and secure, knowing that she had a group of friends who had her back no matter what.

As the school year progressed, Leah's bond with her friends only grew stronger. They would study together, play games at recess, and even organize school events. Leah's once-shy demeanor had blossomed into a confident and outgoing personality, all thanks to the support and encouragement of her newfound friends.

By the end of the year, Leah had not only made lasting friendships but had also learned valuable lessons about standing up for herself and others. She knew that with the support of her friends, she could overcome any challenge that came her way, and she couldn't wait to see what the next school year had in store.