Bit of a short chapter but I wanted to fit in a Maisie/Zoe conversation. Thanks for your wonderful continued reviews, next chapter will be up in the next few minutes :)
The next morning Zoe was awoken by the sound of Oscar crying once again. She decided that it wasn't really fair to wake Nick up considering it was already 6 O'clock and they had to be up in and hour anyway so she got out of bed and headed to the nursery to check on their son, before rocking him back to sleep and heading downstairs to make a much needed cup of coffee.
"Morning" She said in surprise as she found Maisie sitting at the breakfast table, already fully dressed in her school uniform. This was a very rare occasion as usually Maisie would always be the last person in the house to get ready. Mostly often 5 minutes before school started, never mind 3 hours before.
"Morning mum" Maisie replied, glancing up from her breakfast as she watched her mum enter the room.
"You're up early" Zoe pointed out as she began to make her coffee.
"Couldn't sleep" Maisie mumbled back.
"Is something bothering you Mais?" Zoe questioned as she walked over and took a seat at the table opposite her, taking a sip of her coffee as she looked over at her for an answer.
Maisie quickly shook her head in response, before pausing for a moment "Actually" She hesitated, realising it would probably make her feel better if she spoke to someone "I don't really want to go to school today" She added.
"I thought you were eager to get there, you're dressed and everything" Zoe joked, but soon realised from Maisie's face that this wasn't really a laughing matter "Is something bothering you at school?" Zoe asked, concerned with how quiet she was being.
Maisie continued to shake her head "I just don't like school" She added.
Zoe sensed that this wasn't the case however "You're not being bullied or anything are you?" She worriedly asked "Because you know you can always tell me anything don't you" She reassured her.
Maisie nodded "Yeah I know" She half heatedly smiled "I'm not being bullied though" She added.
"What happened yesterday then?" Zoe questioned "This is not like you at all is it" She added.
Maisie paused for a while before finally speaking again "I guess I'm just worried that nobody will like me if I don't join in" She sighed.
"oh Maisie" Zoe sighed "I've told you before, people will like you for who you are, you don't have to act a certain way to make your friends like you" She told her "If they're really your friends, they will like you no matter what" She said, reaching her hand over the table to grab Maisie's.
"Yeah but that's easy to say" Maisie mumbled "You don't know what they are like" She sighed.
"Well then they're not worth it are they" Zoe told her "You've got a boyfriend, I'm sure he likes you for who you are"
"probably not" Maisie shrugged. She had completely lost all her self confidence and Zoe could see this.
"Sweetheart, you need to stop doubting yourself, you're going to much happier when you start living your life the way that you want to" She tried to reassure her, gently squeezing her hand.
"I suppose" Maisie shrugged her shoulders.
"Promise me you'll stop trying to fit in?" Zoe asked, hoping that this was finally going to be the end of it all.
Maisie thought for a while before nodding "Yes I promise" She let out a slight smile to convince her mum.
"I mean it Maisie, I can tell you're not happy, it's not worth it"
"I know, it's silly" Maisie agreed.
"all this behavior stops now OK?" Zoe firmly asked.
Maisie nodded "OK" She agreed "Thanks mum" She smiled, before leaving the table.