Ethan, a twelve-year-old with bright eyes and a warm smile, stood at the entrance of Maplewood Middle School, clutching his worn backpack. Sara, his best friend with curly hair and a mischievous grin, approached him with a wave. "Hey, did you finish the math homework?" "Yeah, but I got stuck on the last problem," Sara admitted, her voice a mix of frustration and amusement.

Mr. Thompson, the math teacher, handed back the tests, pausing briefly at Ethan’s desk with a smile. "Well done, Ethan," he said, his voice carrying a note of approval. However, as Ethan glanced at his test, he realized there was a mistake in the grading. "Excuse me, Mr. Thompson," Ethan spoke up, his voice steady. "I think there's an error. This answer isn't correct, but it was marked right."

Mr. Thompson adjusted his glasses, examining the paper closely. "You're right, Ethan. Thank you for being honest," he said, a note of respect in his voice. Ethan nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "I just wanted to be fair," he replied. Mr. Thompson smiled warmly. "Integrity like yours is rare and valuable," he remarked, handing back the corrected test.

Sara and Ethan sat on the swings, their feet scuffing the ground. "You really are something, Ethan," Sara said, admiration in her eyes. Ethan shrugged, a slight blush on his cheeks. "I just did what felt right," he replied. Sara smiled, giving him a playful nudge. "Well, I'm glad you're my friend," she said.

As Ethan made his way home, he thought about the day. Honesty had always been important to him, but today it felt like it mattered more. He smiled to himself, knowing that being true to himself had brought him respect and strengthened his friendship with Sara. It was a small act, but it made a big difference, and that was enough.