|MISCONCEPTIONS Z.M.|

Pt 5

Age 9

Today Esme started middle school. Yes,it was very early,but Esme was a smart girl. She had skipped two grades(fourth and fifth) and was now entering sixth grade. She was nervous as her mother braided her hair,twiddling with her thumbs.

Esme walked to school that day. Her school Marshall Grammar School was only one block away and she had perfectly navigated the streets. It was 1946 so no one thought of  a young girl walking to school alone a threat. Besides,she wasn't alone. Zayn was with her.

"Are you nervous?"

"Yes..no one will like me."

"I like you." Zayn offers,his bright smile showing. "But..to make sure other people like you too..let's not tell them about me."

"Why? You're my friend and I'm proud to be your friend."

"I know you are,love,but don't you want to be popular?"

"I'd rather be lame with you then popular with people who ignore the other half of me." She says,referring to Zayn as her other half.

+

"Zayn you'll never guess what happened!"

"What?" Zayn says excitedly,pretending he didn't know what happened.

"I made a friend!"

"What's her name?"

"It's..it's a boy. And his name is Zach."

"Oh.."

"Mhm..he's really nice! He said I was pretty!" She says,continuing to do her homework.

"You are. Esme,you have to be careful with older boys. They are mean and confusing and will hurt you if you let them."

"You're an older boy." She retorts,continuing on her page of multiplying fractions.

"But I l-You'll understand when you're older."