Bryan is having a hard time at school. He doesn't like going there anymore. That's because he is tired of being bullied (欺负). Some  (1)  boys at school are unkind to him. They push him to the ground. They hide his books. They are strong. Bryan is scared of them. When things get really bad, Bryan tells his mother he is sick.

     "You should stay home and rest," Mom says, "You'll feel better tomorrow. "

     Then Bryan stays home. He   (2)  television and eats what he wants. He doesn't like lying to his mom, but he thinks this is better than going to school. He'll do almost anything to  (3)   getting bullied.

    There is somebody who knows about Bryan's problem. "You should tell someone you are getting bullied at school. " says Bryan's best friend, Link. But Bryan is scared . He doesn't want to tell an adult.

     "That will make things worse, Link," says Bryan, "You don't go to my school. You have no   (4)   how unkind these guys can be. "

    "You can't keep missing school," says Link, "Your grades will fall. You will be in trouble at home. And besides, you don't want to be stuck in the seventh grade forever, do you?" Link knows that Bryan does not want to hear this. It hurts to tell him. But Link also knows that sometimes the truth   (5)  . It is better to tell Bryan the truth than to be dishonest with him.

      Bryan thinks. After a while, he thinks that Link is probably right. He will tell his mother about the bullies when

 she gets home from work tonight.

     Bryan will see what happens.