Lila loved drawing, but lately, she had been dreading going to school. Someone had been leaving mean notes in her locker: “Nobody likes you” and “You’re weird.”
At first, Lila tried to ignore them. She thought maybe it would stop if she didn’t react. But the notes kept coming, and every day, she felt smaller and smaller.
One day, her best friend, Omar, noticed how quiet she had become. “Lila, what’s wrong?” he asked. Lila hesitated but finally showed him the notes.
“You shouldn’t deal with this alone,” Omar said. “Let’s tell a teacher.”
The next morning, Lila and Omar went to Mrs. Carter, their homeroom teacher. Mrs. Carter listened carefully and promised to help. She spoke to the class about kindness and respect — without singling anyone out — and asked students to think about how their words affect others.
Soon, the notes stopped. Lila felt safe again, and she realized something important: standing up for yourself doesn’t always mean confronting someone alone. It can mean asking for help and speaking up in a way that protects you.
By the end of the week, Lila even shared her drawings in art class, proud and unafraid.
November, 2025
