To my little brothers, Peter, Casey, and Elijah, who are three of the strongest boys I know. I love you.

Bailey

Preview audio:

storyj.mp/adr6d8dhv4kb

Casey and Eli had started to pack up their clothes and toys. Both of them were nervous about their adventure in front of them. They were preparing to move to Maryland. They would have to make new friends, meet new people, and start at a new school. At the same time, they would have to leave everything they knew behind.

Their Aunt Alison and Uncle Danny were with them, helping to organize their things. Both little boys were quiet as they packed up one thing after another. Once they finished packing everything away, they loaded up their suitcases into the truck. Casey and Eli took one last look at their home town and closed the door.

It's ok, buddy. Sometimes, new and scary things are good.

I'm scared. We are leaving everything we know behind us to go to a completely new place.

The road trip to their new home in Maryland went quickly and they soon arrived. Both boys were trying to have a good attitude about their new adventure.

Uncle Danny explained to the boys, "Sometimes it is good to keep an open mind, you never know if you will stumble onto something good and surprising."

"Your new school starts tomorrow!" Uncle Danny excitedly told the boys.

Casey and Eli set out their backpacks for the next day and went to bed early.

Aunt Alison explained "It's not a bad idea to get a good night's sleep tonight to rest up for school in the morning."

Their alarm went off bright and early at 7am the next morning. The boys went down to the kitchen to see warm pancakes waiting for them at the table.

Aunt Alison walked in from the other room, "I made you boys a yummy breakfast" she said with a smile.

Casey and Eli sat down to eat. They were visibly nervous about their first day at a new school.

I am super nervous, I don't know if I can do this.

I know it might be hard at first, but if you challenge yourself to make some new friends and try to have a good attitude, maybe it won't be so bad after all.

The boys started off their day on a good note, but shortly after the bell rang, a few other students decided to cause some trouble. Casey and Eli were walking though the hallway together when two older boys walked right into them and pushed their books out of their hands. The older boys kept walking and then turned around to laugh at them. Casey and Eli looked at each other but weren't sure what to do.

"Let's go see Mrs. McNeil." Casey suggested.

"Thank you for coming to see me. While the other students are in gym, let's talk about what happened. I think the other students may be causing trouble because they are not used to having you two in our class. I will talk to them when they get back to see what this is all about."