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Leo standing nervously in front of a large school building, holding his backpack tightly.
Leo clutched his backpack tightly as he stood in front of his new school. His family had just moved to town, and being deaf made starting over even scarier. He took a deep breath and walked through the doors, hoping this school would be different.
Leo sitting alone at a lunch table, looking down at his sandwich. Tyler and Mia, who wears school uniform, sitting at a nearby table, glancing over at him.
At lunch, Leo sat alone, watching other kids laugh and talk. Tyler and Mia sat at a table nearby with their friend Jake. Leo noticed them looking at him, but he just stared down at his sandwich.
Leo shooting a basketball alone on the playground. Tyler standing nearby, holding the ball and smiling at Leo.
During recess, Leo took out his basketball and started shooting hoops by himself. The ball bounced off the rim and rolled toward Tyler. Tyler picked it up, smiled, and gestured if he could join.
Leo and Tyler on the basketball court, both smiling and gesturing to each other. A basketball hoop in the background.
Leo nodded and showed Tyler some basic basketball moves. Though they couldn't speak to each other with words, they communicated through gestures and smiles. For the first time since moving, Leo felt a connection.
Jake knocking over Leo's lunch tray in a crowded cafeteria. Leo looking surprised, while Tyler and Mia look uncomfortable with change of face
The next day, Jake knocked Leo's lunch tray over and laughed. "He can't even hear me making fun of him," Jake said cruelly. Tyler and Mia looked uncomfortable but didn't say anything.
Leo shooting hoops on a sunny afternoon. Tyler and Mia approaching him on the basketball court.
After school, Tyler saw Leo shooting hoops again. Despite Jake's teasing earlier, Tyler walked over to join him. Mia followed, curious about the new kid who played basketball so well.
Leo teaching Tyler and Mia sign language for 'friend' and 'basketball.' All three smiling, their hands forming signs.
Leo showed Tyler and Mia how to sign "friend" and "basketball." They practiced eagerly, their fingers forming new shapes. Leo's face lit up when they successfully signed back to him.
Leo reading a note from Tyler about a basketball game, smiling widely. A basketball court in the background.
Tyler had an idea and wrote it down for Leo: a basketball game where everyone had to use sign language. Leo grinned and nodded enthusiastically. They would need more players, even Jake.
Tyler and Mia talking to Jake on a school playground, trying to convince him to join the sign language basketball game.
Tyler and Mia approached Jake about the special basketball game. "Why should I learn sign language for him?" Jake scoffed. "Because he's really good at basketball," Tyler replied, "and you might learn something cool."
Jake practicing sign language for 'pass' and 'shoot' with Leo on the basketball court, looking impressed.
Reluctantly, Jake joined their practice session. Leo patiently taught them signs for "pass," "shoot," and "defense." Even Jake couldn't help but be impressed by how quickly they could communicate on the court.
A small crowd gathered around a basketball court, watching Leo and his friends play using sign language.
Word spread about their unique basketball game, and other kids wanted to learn too. Soon, a small crowd gathered to watch them play using only sign language. Leo moved confidently, signing plays to his teammates.
Leo surrounded by friends on the basketball court, smiling with a sense of belonging. Jake looking apologetic.
By the end of the month, Leo wasn't the new kid anymore – he was the friend who taught everyone a new way to communicate. Jake even apologized for his behavior. Through basketball and sign language, Leo had found his place in his new town.