It started on Monday.
Scarlett arrived at school and looked for her best friend, Maisie.
Maisie was already talking to someone else.
She didn’t wave.
Scarlett told herself it was nothing.
But something small and tight settled in her chest.
On Tuesday, Maisie sat somewhere different at lunch.
Scarlett looked at the empty seat beside her and felt the tightness again — a little heavier this time.
On Wednesday, Scarlett tried to join in with Maisie’s game.
Maisie wasn’t unkind. She just seemed… somewhere else. Like she was there but not quite there.
That night, Scarlett climbed into bed and pulled Lenny close.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered. “Did I do something wrong?”
Lenny didn’t answer straight away.
He never rushed.
“What does it feel like?” he asked softly.
Scarlett thought about it.
“Like something’s wobbly. Like I’m not sure where I stand.”
Lenny nodded slowly.
“Friendships can feel like that sometimes,” he said. “Even really good ones. They have their own kind of weather.”
Scarlett frowned. “Weather?”
“Sunny days. Cloudy days. Sometimes a bit of rain — even when nobody meant for it to rain.”
Scarlett looked at Lenny for a long moment.
“Do you think Maisie is okay?” she asked quietly.
Lenny smiled — a warm, gentle smile.
“That,” he said, “is a very kind question to ask.”
The next morning, Scarlett found Maisie sitting alone on the bench outside.
She didn’t look happy.
Scarlett sat down beside her — not saying anything at first. Just sitting.
After a moment, Maisie said: “My mum and dad have been arguing a lot.”
“Oh,” said Scarlett softly. “I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t mean to be funny with you,” Maisie said. “I just had lots of feelings and didn’t know where to put them.”
Scarlett nodded.
She understood that feeling very well.
“That’s okay,” she said. “I’ve got room.”
Maisie looked at her.
“Room for what?”
Scarlett smiled.
“To help carry it. Just for a bit.”
That lunchtime, they sat together.
And the wobbly week felt a little steadier.
🫶 Dream big dreams.