When I arrived at my office, I found Jaden already sitting there.

Eighth grader. Usually calm, polite, the kind of kid teachers barely notice because he never caused trouble. But today, his body seemed to fold into the chair, shoulders hunched, arms locked across his chest, the brim of his hat shadowing his face so completely that I couldn’t even see his eyes.

I sat down across from him, keeping my voice soft.

“What’s going on, man?”

Silence.

I leaned forward a little, hoping he’d glance up. “You know the rule. I just need to understand why this is happening today.”

The seconds stretched long. Finally, in a voice barely above a whisper, Jaden said, “They laughed at me.”

“Who did?” I asked gently.

“Everyone,” he said