Bad Things Happen

Check up!

It was time. The time Laurens hated. Every foster kid didn't exactly enjoy when their social worker came to 'check up' on them, but Laurens' social worker was Charles Lee. Lee hated kids, no one really knows why he worked with them anyway. He hated Laurens most of all, and tried everything he could to ruin his reputation.

"Laurens!" Washington called from down stairs. "Can we talk?"

Laurens ran down stairs to Washington's study, where George and Martha were sitting.

"Your social worker is coming tomorrow to check up on you. So after school come straight home, and Mr. Lee will be here by 5:00 for dinner." Washington said.

Laurens sighed loudly and slumped into a chair.

"What's wrong?" Martha asked kindly.

Laurens therapy had helped him start talking a little more, not much, but it was better than not talking at all. It helped when he was drawing, so he started keeping a small notebook in his pocket.

"He's a jerk."

"Well, I understand why you wouldn't enjoy dinner, Alexander was the same way. But why do you think he's a jerk?" Washington questioned confused.

Laurens pulled out his notebook, ready to rant.

"He's just like every other stuck up, idiotic, loser I've ever known. He hates me, and I couldn't tell you why. He also, just like everyone else in my life, blames me for, and I quote, 'taking one more life from this world'."

Washington was now the one who sighed. He went over to sit by Laurens and wrapped an arm around him.

"It's ok, just make it through tomorrow night and it'll all be ok. Can you do that?" He asked.

Laurens calmed down and nodded. He put away his notebook and relaxed.

"I understand. Being alive is a blessing, and a curse. Some get lucky and some don't. I know that life has not been kind to you, but I promise, things will get better. Everything will be ok." Washington wrapped him in a hug.

"I never had a chance of a good life. I never had a mom. I had a father, but I didn't have a dad." Laurens mumbled under his breath.

"That's why when I first saw you that day at school, I knew you were special. I knew that with the right parent figures in your life, you could do great things." Washington reassured him. "Don't ever tell Alexander that though, I told it to him once and he went on a rampage. Telling everyone he hated they would work for him someday."

They all laughed and Martha came and sat next to them too. They all hugged each other. For the first time in a long time, Laurens felt loved.

"So how's life?" Lafayette asked Herc. "Find anything interesting?"

Mulligan knew he meant a girlfriend. "Maybe."

Lafayette put down his video game controller. "Spill."

"You'll laugh." Herc mumbled. "Fine, her name is Brooklyn. She's in my class, same major. You?"

"Not really?" Lafayette lied. "She's way out of my league so, why even bother."

"Who?" Herc pressed.

"Angelica Schuyler." He whispered, trying not to let Mulligan hear him.

"What?!?!?" He heard him anyway. "I wouldn't say out of your league."

"She's in college, I would never stand a chance." Laf laughed.

Even though Angelica had lunch with her sisters everyday, she went to college with Hercules. Laf was still happy she agreed to that bet for the dance, even if it was just to get Peggy and Laurens together.