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Inside the brightly lit preschool classroom one afternoon, June, Charlotte, Brooklyn, and Saylor twirl in glittery princess costumes among scattered blocks and paint jars, laughing under colorful wall posters.
June loved preschool. Every day, she played with her best friends Charlotte, Brooklyn, and Saylor. They built blocks together, painted pictures, and shared snacks. June had wavy brown hair and bright green eyes that sparkled when she smiled. "Let's play dress-up!" June said one afternoon. The four friends put on costumes and pretended to be princesses. They laughed and danced around the classroom. June felt so happy with her friends by her side.
Morning sunlight pours into the spacious kindergarten classroom as June stands by her desk waving happily to Charlotte and Brooklyn, new bookshelves and unfamiliar classmates filling the background.
Summer ended, and it was time for kindergarten. June felt excited and a little nervous. On the first day, she saw Charlotte and Brooklyn in her class. "Hi!" June waved happily. Saylor was in a different classroom, but they could still play at recess. The classroom looked bigger than preschool. There were more kids and new things to learn. June couldn't wait to have fun with her friends in this new school.
Under bright gym lights, June stands mid-court clutching a red playground ball, speaking assertively while Charlotte and Brooklyn exchange uneasy glances beside scattered cones and hoops on the polished wooden floor.
Gym class was June's favorite. They played games with balls and ran relay races. One day, the teacher said they could pick their own game. "Let's play tag!" June announced. "No, dodgeball is better," said another kid. "We should do tag my way," June insisted loudly. Charlotte and Brooklyn looked at each other. June kept telling everyone what to do. She wanted gym class to be perfect, but she didn't notice her friends' faces.
In the quiet hallway outside the gym, Charlotte gently addresses June, who blushes with teary eyes, while Brooklyn stands supportively beside her beneath fluorescent ceiling lights and a row of cubbies.
After gym class, Charlotte walked up to June. Brooklyn stood next to her. "June, you were being kind of bossy today," Charlotte said quietly. June's cheeks turned red. "I was just trying to help," she said. "But you didn't let anyone else choose," Brooklyn added gently. June felt her eyes get wet with tears. She hadn't meant to be bossy. Her stomach hurt, and she felt confused. June didn't know what to say, so she walked away.
At noon in the bustling school cafeteria, June sits alone at a long table picking at her lunchbox while Charlotte and Brooklyn laugh with other kids across the room and Saylor waves encouragingly from the doorway.
The next few days were hard for June. Charlotte and Brooklyn still talked to her, but something felt different. They didn't play together as much. At recess, June saw them laughing with other kids. Saylor tried to cheer June up, but she was in another class most of the day. June ate her lunch quietly. She missed how things used to be. Everything felt broken, and June didn't know how to fix it.
Evening lamplight warms the living room where a glowing Christmas tree stands; June leans into June's mom with gentle smile, half-decorated cookies on the coffee table as she confides her worries.
School closed for Christmas vacation. June stayed home with her family. She decorated cookies and opened presents, but she kept thinking about her friends. "What's wrong, sweetie?" her mom asked. June told her everything. "Maybe you could tell them you're sorry," Mom suggested. "But what if they don't want to be friends anymore?" June worried. Mom hugged her tight. "Being brave means trying, even when you're scared." June thought about what Mom said.
At the bright living-room window, June's mom with gentle smile records on a phone while June, standing bravely on the couch cushion, looks into the lens and apologizes to Charlotte and Brooklyn.
June decided to be brave. She asked her mom to help her make a video message. "Hi Charlotte and Brooklyn," June said into the camera. "I'm sorry I was bossy in gym class. I should have listened to you. I miss playing with you." Her voice shook a little, but she kept going. "I hope we can still be friends." Mom sent the video. June felt nervous and proud at the same time. She had done something really brave.
Under pale winter sunlight on the playground, June approaches a bench where Macy sits alone; June extends her hand invitingly, the swings and slide stretching unused behind them.
Winter break ended, and June went back to kindergarten. She felt nervous walking into her classroom. Charlotte and Brooklyn smiled at her, but they didn't say much. At recess, June noticed a girl sitting alone on a bench. She had blonde hair and looked friendly. "Hi, I'm June," she said. "I'm Macy," the girl replied. "Want to play on the swings?" June asked. Macy's face lit up. "Yes!" They ran to the playground together.
Inside the bustling cafeteria at midday, June and Macy sit opposite each other, grinning as they lock fingers in a freshly invented handshake, lunch trays and chattering students framing their table.
June and Macy played together every day that week. They took turns choosing games. They listened to each other's ideas. "You're really nice," Macy said. June smiled. "You're nice too!" One day at lunch, June felt brave again. "Macy, do you want to be best friends?" she asked. Macy grinned big. "Yes! I'd love to!" They did a special handshake. Having a best friend made June feel confident and happy again.
On the sunny playground field, June stands with Macy at her side while Charlotte and Brooklyn face them smiling; Saylor rushes up, and the five girls form a loose circle beneath a bright blue sky.
With Macy by her side, June felt stronger. One day, Charlotte came over at recess. "We got your video," Charlotte said. "Thank you for saying sorry." Brooklyn joined them. "We're sorry too. We should have talked about it more." June smiled. "This is my friend Macy," she said. "Hi Macy!" Charlotte and Brooklyn said together. Saylor ran over from the other playground. All five girls stood together. June's heart felt full.
Near the jungle-gym on a mild afternoon, June, Macy, Charlotte, Brooklyn, and Saylor sit in a semicircle, clapping rhythmically while laughing, a jump rope and rubber ball lying ready beside them.
The five friends started playing together every day. They took turns picking games. When June had an idea, she asked, "What does everyone think?" Macy fit right into the group. She made everyone laugh with funny jokes. Saylor taught them all a new clapping game. Charlotte and Brooklyn showed Macy their favorite spots on the playground. June looked at all her friends playing together. She had fixed her friendships AND made the group bigger.
Bright lunchroom lights shine on the long table where June sits surrounded by Macy, Charlotte, Brooklyn, and Saylor; the girls lean together, sharing jokes over open lunchboxes and cartons of milk.
June learned something important. Being brave enough to say sorry had helped. Finding a new friend had given her confidence. Now she had even MORE best friends than before. At lunch, all five girls sat together. "I'm glad we're all friends," June said. "Me too!" everyone agreed. They talked and laughed together. June realized that friendships can grow and change. Sometimes trying to fix something broken makes it even better than it was before. June smiled at her wonderful group of friends.