Adam shuffled in with his backpack slung over one shoulder, eyes fixed on the ground. He felt the usual knot in his stomach tighten as he passed by groups of students, their laughter echoing in his ears. He always wondered if they were laughing at him.

"Look, I'm Adam trying to read," Lily jeered, her voice dripping with mockery. Adam paused, his face flushing with embarrassment, but he knew better than to react.

"Hey, Adam, want to see my new comic?" Max asked, offering a warm smile. Adam nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Sure, Max," he replied, feeling the tension ease from his shoulders.

"I was thinking we could do something about superpowers," Adam suggested, his eyes lighting up with an idea. Max nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, like how everyone has something special," he agreed, sketching furiously on a fresh page.

"Our project is about understanding how everyone is unique," Adam began, his voice shaking slightly but gaining confidence with Max's supportive nod. "Like how Adam sees words differently, but that doesn't stop him from having an amazing imagination," Max added, showcasing their comic strip filled with heroes and adventures.

Lily, now subdued, approached Adam during lunch. "Hey, Adam, that was really cool," she admitted, her tone lacking the usual sarcasm. Adam smiled, feeling a sense of acceptance wash over him. "Thanks, Lily," he replied, realizing that understanding could bridge even the widest of gaps.