Axel

Axel is going all out to express themselves in middle school. When some mean kids start making fun of them, will they keep their true self a secret or crank up the volume?

Axel’s music is mocked by mean kids.

Axel accidentally plays music that they made aloud in the cafeteria, which attracts the attention of some mean kids. The kids make fun of it for sounding “weird.” The player can choose to have Axel respond more or less assertively.

The mean kids giggle about Axel in class until their classmate Helen shushes them.

Tuesday afternoon, Axel sits in class with the same mean kids who made fun of their music. While Axel tries to concentrate, the mean kids giggle about their music until Helen shushes them. The player can choose whether they interpret Helen’s actions as explicit help.

Axel debates whether to talk about the mean kids to their parents.

Axel’s parents ask them if anything is wrong. Axel is reluctant to say anything, but the player can choose to admit that other kids were being mean to them. Either way, Axel does not want their parents to escalate this to the school.

Axel’s project partner Helen yells at them.

Axel tries to make conversation with Helen while they work together, but Helen isn’t happy with Axel’s project work, and blows up at them.

Axel discovers that other kids are making fun of them online.

A kid Axel doesn’t know shows them an online profile filled with mean jokes about them.

Axel considers looking at the profile made to make fun of them.

The profile is full of mean jokes about them, but they’re tempted to look.

Axel’s teacher asks if they’re alright.

Axel doesn’t open up, but wonders what would’ve happened if they had.

Axel’s group project partner Helen apologizes for yelling at them.

Helen had previously gotten angry about Axel not doing satisfactory work on their project.

Axel goes through a magical portal to realize that they should start valuing bravery.

Axel used to value self-expression and comfort, but after reflecting on how much they value who they are, they set aside comfort and prioritize bravery.

Axel confronts the mean kids by asserting their belief in their own music, and for themself.

Axel hears the mean kids playing their song after school. They reveal that they’re not just a listener, but a creator of music.