Keep Holding On

Bad Days

January 23rd, 2028

Malibu, USA

Miley's POV

It's been a few days since Jessica was upset and wouldn't tell me what was bothering her. She's basically been avoiding me lately unless she has to be around me. Even when I try to watch a movie with the kids she says she has homework, which is done so she does extra credit. I'm not mad at that, I just wish she'd talk to me. I can't have two people I love ignore me, it's hard enough not talking to Liam. The only way I can know what's up with him is if he posts on Instagram. Cecilia and Leonardo were outside while Jessica was in hers and Cecilia's room. I knock on the door before I hear her say to come in. I figured I'd better get her permission since she doesn't wanna see me.

"Jessy- Jessica, this is really hard." I say, walking in. She's sitting on her bed reading. I sit on Cecilia's bed which is across from Jessica's bed. "I really don't like it when you ignore me like this. I've given you your space, but I think I deserve an explanation why you won't talk to me. It's hard enough being ignored by your father."

"I'm not trying to ignore you." She puts down her book and makes eye contact with me. Finally.

"Well it sure seems like it. Jessica I don't like it when you ignore me, I want an explanation. Did something happen at school? Did something happen here? Is anything wrong?"

"I don't wanna talk about it." She says softly.

"Jessica Mae Hemsworth, I'm not here because I'm upset or angry with you. I'm here because I care about you so much, and I don't want anything to be wrong. You know you can talk to me about anything, you know I'm not gonna tell anyone. I'm also the last person that should judge you out of everyone in this family. I wish you'd know that you can tell me anything."

"I know I can and I know you won't judge me."

"Then why can't you talk to me?"

"You promise you won't tell anyone?"

"Jessica I won't tell anyone, I promise." I say.

"Well some kids at school found out that dad is in Australia. They were asking why he left and I said he was doing a movie. I said that I missed him, and they made fun of me. I told them I miss him because I love him, it's normal to miss him. They told me in a mean voice to do school stuff and forget about dad since I'm such a nerd. I asked them nicely to please stop being mean, and they said "why don't you tell your mommy" and I said stop. They said only babies call their parents mommy and daddy and only babies need their parents. They told me Jessy is a stupid little kid nickname and my name is Jessica. If I wanna be treated like a big kid then my name is Jessica and not Jessy. I asked them to please be nice but they just walked away." After Jessica finishes talking, my eyes were filled with tears. My daughter was getting bullied but she didn't tell me.

"You're being bullied? Jessica why didn't you tell me earlier? Do you realize how upset I am right now? Not angry but upset."

"I didn't talk to you cause I don't wanna be like a baby that always tells her mommy everything. I didn't know it would make you sad."

"Jessica...of course I'm sad, my daughter is being bullied and that's not okay. You're not a baby if you talk to me. In fact mature kids talk to their parents because they know they can trust them and their parents can trust the kids. Why didn't you tell a teacher if you didn't wanna talk to me?"

"Mom, you know how bullying works. The kid tells the teacher and the bullies make fun of the kid for telling on them." She replies, but I shake my head no.