Sam crouches low, tongue out in concentration, stacking a red block on top of a blue one until his tower sways dangerously. Sarah sits nearby, legs tucked under her, watching with wide, eager eyes as she hugs a stuffed cat to her chest. "That’s a very serious tower you’re making, Sam," "It’s not finished yet," he whispers, barely breathing as he balances the next block.

Sam freezes, his shoulders slumping, staring at the pile of blocks in silence. Sarah picks up a blue block and scoots closer, her face kind and gentle. "Do you want help?" "No… I always mess it up," he mutters, cheeks pink.

Sarah[/@ch_2] begins building a small tower beside Sam, her hands steady, her face calm and hopeful. Sunbeams make her blocks glimmer like tiny jewels.] Sam peeks at her tower, watching as it grows with each careful motion. "My towers fall sometimes, too," she says, smiling softly. "But if they do, I just try again." Sam watches her in silence, thinking about trying again.

Sarah rockets her hand in the air, eyes shining, and walks to the front with a bright drawing in her hands. "This is me and Sam," she announces. "Sam builds things. I talk a lot. We’re friends." The class giggles, not mean, but happy. Sam feels brave for a moment, his heart thumping as the teacher looks at him. "I… I build towers," he says quietly, then louder, "Sometimes they fall. But I keep building." The class bursts into applause, Sarah clapping the loudest.

Sarah starts to walk over, waving. Sam hesitates, but remembers how it felt to share. Sam picks up the ball and walks with Sarah, the grass cool under their sneakers. "Hi! I’m Sarah. This is Sam," "You dropped this," Sam says, handing over the ball. The new boy’s face lights up, and soon they’re all laughing, taking turns, and cheering each other on.

Sam[/@ch_1] and Sarah sit side by side, blocks piled between them.] "Let’s build together," This time, their tower grows taller than ever. When it wobbles, Sarah steadies it; when it leans, Sam fixes the base. The tower stands firm, shining in the dusk. "Tomorrow, I’ll build an even bigger one," Sam says, grinning. "And if it falls?" "I’ll try again," he laughs, both of them smiling at the sturdy, colorful tower they built together.