Chapter 1 – The New Girl
Lila Anderson had been at Maplewood Middle School for two whole weeks, and she still felt like a puzzle piece in the wrong box. The building was huge, the hallways made noises like a busy train station, and everyone seemed to already have their own groups of friends.
She had her purple spiral notebook — her “secret notebook” — that she carried everywhere. It was filled with doodles, little poems, and comics she made about a superhero called Scribble Girl.
Lila thought maybe, just maybe, someone might think her comics were funny and want to be friends. But so far, no one had noticed — except Ruby.
Ruby Carson was the kid everyone seemed to either want to be friends with… or stay far away from. She had perfect wavy hair, a laugh that made people turn around, and a habit of saying things… that didn’t feel nice.
Chapter 2 – The First Encounter
It started on a Tuesday during lunch.
Lila had found an empty table and was unpacking her cheese sandwich when Ruby strolled over with two other girls behind her — Hannah and Chloe.
“Well, well,” Ruby said, her voice sugar-coated but sharp. “If it isn’t the little artist.”
Lila blinked. “Um… hi.”
“I’ve seen you doodling in that notebook every day,” Ruby went on. “What’s in it?”
Lila gripped the notebook tightly. “Just drawings. For me.”
Ruby smirked. “Why? Afraid it’s bad?”
Hannah giggled, and Chloe whispered something into Ruby’s ear. Ruby’s smirk widened.
“Well… maybe you should show me sometime. Or else I might… borrow it.”
They walked away, leaving Lila’s stomach twisting. She knew “borrow” didn’t mean bring it back.
Chapter 3 – The Advice Tree
After school, Lila sat under the big oak tree near the bus stop. She always stopped there for a few minutes because being around its wide branches made her feel safe.
She was sketching when an older boy named Mateo, from sixth grade, stopped next to her.
“Cool drawings,” he said, peering at her comic strip.
“Thanks…” Lila said shyly.
“You look upset,” Mateo added.
Lila sighed. “There’s this girl at school. Ruby. She’s… kind of mean.”
Mateo nodded slowly. “Ah. A bully.”
Lila frowned. “I don’t think she’s punching anyone or anything… but she makes me feel small.”
“Bullying isn’t always about punching,” Mateo said. “Sometimes it’s about making people believe they aren’t good enough. You gotta protect yourself.”
“How?” Lila asked.
Mateo thought for a moment. “My grandma says there are four steps:
- Stay calm so they can’t control your reaction.
- Speak firm so they know you’re not afraid to say no.
- Get allies — friends, teachers, anyone you trust.
- Know it’s not about you — bullies’ meanness is about their own problems.”
Lila scribbled the list in her notebook. Maybe… she could handle Ruby.
Chapter 4 – The Purple Heist
On Friday, Lila was at her locker when she noticed it was slightly open. She never left it open. Her heart dropped.
Her purple notebook was gone.
She spun around… and there was Ruby, on the other side of the hallway, flipping through it with Hannah and Chloe laughing.
“That’s mine!” Lila said, marching over.
Ruby smirked. “Relax, Scribble Girl. I just wanted to read your * masterpieces*.”
Lila’s cheeks burned — partly from embarrassment, partly from anger. She remembered Mateo’s advice: Stay calm.
She took a deep breath. “Give it back.”
Ruby flipped a page. “Hmm… ‘Scribble Girl versus the Giant Homework Monster’? Cute. I think I’ll hold onto this—”
“Give. It. Back.” Lila kept her voice low but firm, her eyes steady.
Ruby blinked, slightly thrown off. “Or what?”
Before Lila could answer, a voice from behind said: “Or I’ll tell Mr. Jennings you’re stealing.”
It was Priya, the quietest girl in science class, standing with her arms crossed.
Chapter 5 – The First Ally
Ruby rolled her eyes but dropped the notebook into Lila’s hands. “Whatever. It’s not even good.” She walked off with Hannah and Chloe.
Lila turned to Priya. “Thanks… I thought you didn’t even notice me.”
Priya smiled a tiny smile. “I noticed. I saw what she did and… I hate bullies.”
They sat together at lunch that day. Lila learned Priya loved robotics and could build a mini-drone out of scraps.
Something warm bloomed in Lila’s chest.
Chapter 6 – The Plan
Over the weekend, Lila and Priya hung out and made a plan. If Ruby tried anything again, they’d:
- Stay calm.
- Speak firmly.
- Not be alone — safety in numbers.
- Keep a record (Priya suggested writing in a “Bullying Log” in case they needed proof).
They even drew silly comics about “Captain Calm” and “Sergeant Stand-Tall” battling “The Mean Machine.”
Chapter 7 – Standing Tall
Monday came, and Lila was ready. She had her notebook in her backpack instead of her locker.
At recess, Ruby sauntered over. “Hey, Scribble Girl. Got any new jokes in that notebook?”
Lila straightened her shoulders. “Yes. But you’re not invited to read them.”
Ruby raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“You don’t get to take my things or make me feel small. So… stop.” She kept her voice calm and her face steady, exactly like she’d practiced.
Priya was right beside her.
Ruby looked from Lila to Priya, then shrugged. “Whatever. I have better things to do anyway.” She walked away — though her face looked a little less smug than usual.
Chapter 8 – The Truth About Ruby
A week later, Lila found something strange. In the library, she overheard Ruby talking to the librarian. Her voice wasn’t mean — it was cracking, like she might cry. She was asking if there were any books on… divorce.
Lila froze.
Priya later explained quietly, “I heard her parents are splitting up. Maybe that’s why she’s been so mean… it’s not okay, but maybe she’s hurting.”
Lila thought about that for a long time. She didn’t become immediate friends with Ruby — that would take a while, if ever — but she decided not to hate her.
Chapter 9 – Scribble Girl Saves the Day
By spring, Lila had more friends — Priya, Mateo, and a few others. She joined the school’s art club and even displayed her comics.
Ruby didn’t bother her anymore. Sometimes they even passed in the hallway without a word, which was fine with Lila.
One day, a younger student came crying because someone had taken her sketchbook. Lila knelt and said, “Let me tell you about the four steps…”
And just like that, Scribble Girl had passed on her power.
Chapter 10 – The Superpower You Can’t See
Lila realized something important:
Being brave doesn’t mean fighting back with fists.
It means knowing your worth,
standing tall,
and helping others stand too.
And that was a superpower she vowed never to lose.
Moral of the Story ✨
- Bullies often act out because of their own struggles — but you still have the right to protect yourself.
- Stay calm, speak firmly, find allies, and remember: it’s never your fault if someone’s unkind.
- Courage grows stronger when shared.
Tayle Tales 