Twelve-year-old Marcy was the new kid in school. She had just moved to town with her family, and she didn't know anyone. On her first day of school, she was sitting by herself at lunch when a group of older kids came over and started making fun of her. They called her names and made fun of her clothes. Marcy was scared and didn't know what to do.

Just then, a boy named Alek stood up and walked over to the group of older kids. "Leave her alone," he said. "She's new here, and she doesn't know anyone."

The older kids laughed. "What are you going to do about it, little boy?" one of them asked.

Alek didn't back down. "I'm going to tell the teacher," he said.

The older kids looked at each other, then they shrugged and walked away.

Marcy was so grateful to Alek for standing up for her. She had never met anyone so brave before. She and Alek became friends, and they stuck up for each other whenever they saw someone being bullied.

One day, Marcy and Alek were walking home from school when they saw a group of kids picking on a smaller kid. The smaller kid was crying, and he was trying to run away, but the older kids were blocking his way.