Chapter 8: Whispers in the Hallway
The first few weeks of school were tough. Maya was behind in her studies, and her limp made her stand out. A boy in her class named Julian often poked fun at her slow pace in the hallways.
One afternoon during art class, Julian accidentally knocked over a jar of dark blue paint, spilling it all over his brand-new shoes and the floor. The other kids laughed, and Julian turned bright red, tears springing to his eyes.
Instead of joining in the laughter, Maya picked up a paper towel roll, walked over to Julian, and knelt down despite the stiffness in her knees.
""It’s okay,"" she said quietly, helping him wipe off his shoes. ""It’s just paint. It washes off.""
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Julian looked at her in shock, his embarrassment melting away. ""Thanks, Maya. I'm... I'm sorry for being mean to you before.""
""We all have bad days,"" Maya smiled gently.
