Tommy loomed near the basketball court, his eyes scanning the crowd with a hardened expression. His reputation as the school bully preceded him, yet today something seemed different.
Jenny, a classmate with a kind heart, noticed Tommy's demeanor. "Hey, Tommy," she called out, her voice steady and sincere.
Tommy sat in the back, tapping his pencil against the desk. His gaze was distant, lost in thoughts far removed from the lesson at hand.
Mr. Lewis, the teacher, noticed his distraction. "Tommy, are you with us?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
Tommy trudged through the crowd, his shoulders slumped and eyes downcast. Jenny caught up with him, her curiosity piqued by his unusual behavior.
"You seem different today," she observed gently, hoping to break through the walls he had built around himself.
Tommy sat on the bench, his face buried in his hands. Jenny joined him quietly, respecting his silence.
"It's just... things at home aren't great," he admitted finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
Jenny placed a comforting hand on Tommy's shoulder. "You don't have to go through this alone," she reassured him, her words filled with genuine compassion.
Tommy nodded, a small smile breaking through the storm of emotions he had been holding back.
Tommy stood by the basketball court, his posture more relaxed. Jenny approached him with a warm smile.
"Thanks, Jenny," he said, his voice carrying a newfound hope. "Anytime, Tommy," she replied, their friendship a beacon of light in the journey ahead.
