When the Story Continues (Sequel to When the Script Changes)

Chapter 16: A New Year, A New Challenge

The new school year had officially begun, and Mon was thrilled.

She had spent the last few days color-coding her school supplies, laying out her uniforms with Becky, and making a list of all the things she wanted to do this year—like help more classmates, get better at math, and plan the biggest birthday party ever.

At drop-off that morning, Becky kissed Mon's forehead. "Have the best day, my love."

Freen smoothed out Mon's uniform and whispered, "And if anyone new joins, make them feel welcome, okay?"

Mon grinned. "Of course, Mom!"

She waved excitedly and ran off into school, her backpack bouncing behind her.

It was a new year, and she was ready for anything.

Or so she thought.

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By lunchtime, everyone was buzzing about a new student.

"Her name's Lila," Jayden whispered to Mon as they lined up for food. "I heard she transferred from a fancy school!"

Emma nodded. "And I heard she's super smart. But..." She hesitated, lowering her voice. "She kinda seems... mean."

Mon frowned. "Mean?"

Emma nodded. "She didn't talk to anyone all morning. When Mia tried to sit next to her, she just moved seats."

Mon tilted her head. That didn't sound mean—just maybe shy?

She decided to see for herself.

As Mon carried her tray to her usual table, she noticed a girl sitting alone at the end of the cafeteria.

She had dark, straight hair, wore her uniform perfectly, and was picking at her food like she wasn't hungry.

Mon took a deep breath and walked over.

"Hi! I'm Mon!" she said with her usual bright smile. "Do you wanna sit with us?"

Lila looked up. Her dark eyes studied Mon, then she scoffed.

"I'm fine," she said coolly.

Mon blinked.

That was... new.

Still, she didn't give up.

"We have space!" she chirped. "And my friend Emma brought cookies to share!"

Lila rolled her eyes. "I don't eat sweets."

Mon hesitated. "Oh! Well... um... we also have—"

"Look," Lila interrupted. "I don't need a friend, okay?"

For the first time ever, Mon felt her stomach twist at someone's words.

Most kids wanted to be her friend.

But Lila?

Lila didn't seem to like her at all.

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At recess, Mon and her friends sat by their usual tree.

"That was so mean," Emma said, crossing her arms. "Who doesn't like Mon?"

"Maybe she's just grumpy," Noah added. "Like my uncle before his coffee."

Mon swung her legs, thinking. "I don't think she's mean," she finally said. "Maybe she just doesn't know us yet."

Jayden frowned. "You're still gonna try?"

Mon nodded firmly. "Of course."

And she did.

For days, she kept smiling at Lila in the hallways.

She offered her a seat in group projects.

She even let Lila go first in line for the slide during gym class.

But nothing worked.

Lila always gave short answers, looked away, or ignored Mon completely.

And slowly... Mon started feeling sad.

One night, as Becky tucked her into bed, she noticed Mon's frown.

"What's wrong, baby?" Becky asked, smoothing her hair.

Mon sighed. "There's a girl in my class. I keep trying to be her friend, but she doesn't like me."

Becky's heart squeezed. "That must feel really hard."

Mon nodded. "I just don't understand why. Did I do something wrong?"

Freen, who had just come in with a glass of water, sat on the edge of Mon's bed.

"Sweetheart, sometimes people need time," she said gently. "Not everyone is ready for friendship right away."

"But I'm always nice," Mon mumbled. "Why wouldn't she like me?"

Freen smiled softly. "Kindness isn't about getting people to like you, baby. It's about choosing to be good, even when it's hard."

Becky kissed Mon's forehead. "And you have the kindest heart we've ever seen."

Mon thought about that all night.

And in the morning, she made a decision.

She wasn't going to force Lila to be her friend.

But she wasn't going to stop being kind, either.

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A week later, it was rainy and gloomy.

During recess, everyone stayed inside, drawing and reading.

Mon was coloring with Emma and Jayden when she noticed Lila sitting alone again, staring at the window.

Something inside Mon softened.

She wasn't upset anymore.

She just felt... sad for Lila.

So, without a word, she picked up her extra yellow crayon and walked over.

She set it down in front of Lila.

"For your sun," she said simply, pointing at the half-finished drawing on Lila's desk. "It looked like it needed some light."

Lila blinked, surprised.

For the first time, she didn't scoff.

She didn't roll her eyes.

She just... looked at Mon.

Then, slowly, she reached out—

And took the crayon.

"...Thanks," she mumbled.

Mon smiled. "You're welcome."

She didn't sit down.

She didn't say anything else.

She just walked back to her friends, happy knowing she had given a little kindness.

Even if it was only a crayon.

Even if Lila never became her friend.

Mon was proud of herself.

Because Freen was right.

Kindness wasn't about making people like you.

It was about choosing to be good—even when it was hard.