The school playground was alive with the chatter and laughter of boys. It was a sunny afternoon and the perfect day for the Battle for Buttons.

Tommy, the ringleader, explained the rules. The game was simple. Touch the belly button and trouser button of your opponent, and they had to play dead.

"Bleghh, I'm dead!" the boys would exclaim, undoing their trouser zip to show they were out of the game. It was all in good fun, a test of agility and quick thinking.

Tommy, however, was a bit of a cheat. He wore trousers with no button, making him a difficult target. His friends quickly noticed and called him out.

"Tommy is cheating! He has an outie belly button!" one of the boys shouted, pointing at Tommy's protruding navel. Tommy shrugged, a cheeky grin on his face.

"I can't change the way my navel looks," Tommy defended himself. But the boys were not convinced. Tommy needed a new strategy.

He teamed up with James. Together, they would be unbeatable. They plotted their moves, planning to outsmart the others.

"James, quick! We need to run-" Tommy began, but was cut off by a hand on his belly. "Bleghh, I'm dead," he groaned dramatically, falling to the ground.

James was startled. "Are you dead too?" he asked Tommy, eyes wide. "No Tommy, you are dead. Can I revive you or are you dead for the whole battle?"

"Hey, stop fiddling around with my belly button, Timmy!" Tommy shouted from the ground. The youngest boy had been trying to 'revive' Tommy.

"But why?" Timmy asked, his eyes welling up with tears. Tommy's harsh tone had upset him, and he quickly ran away.

"Timmy, wait!" James called out. He felt bad for the younger boy and wanted to comfort him. But Timmy was already out of sight.

"Why are you crying?" Tommy asked, feeling a pang of guilt. He hadn't meant to upset Timmy. He just wanted to win the game.

"I didn't mean to make Tommy angry," Timmy sobbed when James found him. He wiped his tears on his sleeve and looked up at James with a hopeful expression.

"Can I touch your outie, Tommy?" Timmy asked, his voice small. Tommy was taken aback. He considered the request, then nodded. "Only if I can touch your belly button, Timmy."

The boys went back to the game, this time with new rules. Tommy was allowed to play, outie and all. And Timmy was allowed to 'revive' his friends.

The Battle for Buttons continued with renewed vigour. Laughter echoed across the playground as the boys chased each other, each trying to outsmart the other.

Tommy and James were a formidable team. They managed to 'kill' most of the boys. But Timmy proved to be a surprise package. His small size and agility made him a tough opponent.

"Bleghh, I'm dead!" James fell, his hand on his belly. Tommy looked at Timmy, impressed. The youngest boy had managed to 'kill' his best friend.

Tommy was the last one standing. He faced Timmy, ready for the final showdown. The two boys circled each other, each waiting for the other to make a move.

Timmy lunged, but Tommy was quick. He dodged and touched Timmy's belly button. "Bleghh, I'm dead," Timmy groaned, falling to the ground dramatically.

Tommy was the winner of the Battle for Buttons. He looked at his fallen friends and felt a sense of accomplishment. It had been a tough game, but he had won.

But winning wasn't everything. As he helped his friends up, he realized that the game had brought them closer. They had laughed, fought, and made up. It was all worth it.

The Battle for Buttons was more than just a game. It was a lesson in friendship, understanding, and acceptance. Tommy, James, and Timmy were all different, but they were friends.

As the sun began to set, the boys packed up their things. They left the playground, their laughter still echoing in the air. They were already planning the next Battle for Buttons.