Something New

Chapter 7

A/N: Okay, this is where the drama starts. Enjoy :).

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Lauren clapped her hands together excitedly as she slowly rolled into a parking space in front of Ryan's school that evening. She turned the car off before she hurried inside, feeling a few drops of rain starting to come down. Her feet carried her to the little boy's classroom, the smile never leaving her face at how happy she was to see him.

That was until she got to the almost empty classroom and she could see what looked like Ryan being comforted by his teacher. His back was facing her, so he didn't see when Lauren entered the classroom. The woman whispered something in his ear and pointed out that his mother had arrived and that's when he turned around. Lauren tore her sunglasses off her face and immediately rushed to the little boy, seeing that his eyes were a bit teary.

"What happened? Are you okay, Ryan?" Lauren asked, squatting to be at level with him.

He just shook his head and threw his arms around her neck, burying his face there. Lauren felt a pang growing in her chest and rubbed his back soothingly. This was not how she imagined this going.

"It's okay, baby." Lauren tried, still unaware of what was actually going on.

She looked to his teacher for an answer and she silently pointed to the trash bin near her desk. Inside the bin was the same Captain America toy Ryan had given to his friend, but it had broken compartments. Lauren's eyebrows came together with so many questions running throughout her mind. Ms. Miller must have noticed because she began speaking.

"Um, Ryan told me that the little boy, Luca, gave the toy back to him in this condition. Luca then proceeded to tell him that his mother made him give it back." She sighed.

"Like that?" Lauren asked shocked. Who would do such a thing?

"Yeah, and I have no idea why. I tried cheering him up, but he wasn't having it. He wouldn't talk to anyone." She frowned.

Lauren nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. She was trying so hard not to let her emotions spill over. Her eyes immediately scanned the classroom for the other little boy.

"He's gone, Mrs. Griffin. His mother was here to get him not too long before you showed."

"What is this woman's name?" She then asked.

"I unfortunately can't disclose any of that information unless it's for legal purposes." She explained with a sad grin.

Lauren sighed, feeling herself become more frustrated by the second, but she understood.

"Okay, thanks for letting me know about this."

"No problem." She nodded her head.

"I guess we should head out. Say goodbye to Ms. Miller, Ryan." Lauren tried.

He didn't move, he only tightened his arms around Lauren's neck. Lauren thanked the woman once more before she left the classroom. She fixed his hoodie over his head and opened her umbrella, seeing that the rain had started to come down more. She had no idea what her next step was gonna be regarding the situation besides the obvious which was telling Ty about this.

"Did you miss mommy?" Lauren asked him as she got him into the car, trying to get him to at least say something to her.

He simply just nodded his head. That's when Lauren knew he probably wouldn't say anything to her, at least not right now.

"Well, I missed you too." She gave a sad smile, wiping at his eyes.

Lauren ran her hand through his hair before placing a lingering kiss on his forehead. She then rounded the car to get in on her side. The car ride was awfully silent. Lauren constantly checked her rearview mirror to keep an eye on him. All he did was look down into his lap the entire ride home.