Trouble

ADHD is no excuse

Maisie stayed furious the whole evening. She did come downstairs to have some dinner but she sat seething and didn't say a word. As soon as she was done, she stormed upstairs.

"Mais please can we talk?" Tracy called after her but she got no reply and soon heard the slam of her bedroom door.

The next morning, Maisie was feeling super guilty about everything. She shouldn't have gone off on Erin. It wasn't her fault that she was angry and it wasn't fair to take it out on her.

She was stuck in her own head when there was a knock at her door.

"Can I come in?" Peter asked.

"Sure."

He opened up and came and sat beside her.

"What's going on mush?"

"Nothing."

"Why wouldn't you do your exam? You'd prepared for it hadn't you?"

Maisie took a few deep breaths to try and keep herself calm.

"Yeah I was prepared but," she paused, "What if it wasn't enough? What if I put in all that work and still failed?"

"If you put in the hard work then you'll get something in return," he said, "I know sometimes trying can be scary but if you don't try, you won't be able to show everyone how clever you are."

"I'm not clever. I have a brain that doesn't work properly."

"Your brain might work differently to other peoples but it is amazing and it makes you you."

They fell into silence.

"I was a bitch to Erin. All she was trying to do was be nice and I went off on one."

"What are you going to do to make it right?"

"I don't know."

"I'm sure you'll think of something. You're kind and clever and you know what to do to make it right."

Maisie didn't say anything.

"Now are you going to get ready for school?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Good girl."

***

Maisie had gone to school and completed her exams. She was quite pleased with how they'd gone but even that couldn't raise her spirits.

"You should be so proud," Miss Bisham said. She'd come to meet her after her afternoon exam and they were walking together to the gates.

"Especially after what happened yesterday, the fact you picked yourself up and came and smashed them today shows how much of a hard worker you are."

"Yeah. I'm pleased," she said but she didn't sound like she was.

"What's up?" Miss Bisham asked.

"I fell out with my girlfriend," Maisie said and then an idea burst into her head, "But I'm going to make it right."

"I'm sure you are. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah. See you tomorrow."

Maisie ran out to where her mum was waiting to pick her up.

"How'd it go?" she asked.

"Good. Can you drive me to Erin's? And can we stop at a shop on the way?"

***

Erin had been in a bad mood all day. She was still cross and upset with Maisie and that was all she could think about.