𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍 𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒

CH10- I KNOW THE WORLD'S A BROKEN BONE, BUT MELT YOUR HEADACHES CALL IT HOME

Thuds were heard down the hallway, approaching closer. (Y/N) quickly let go of Ryan, not wanting to be caught in another awkward situation with his mother. He gave her a confused look, until he saw his mother's head poke through the corner of the wall.

"Dinner's ready. Just come and sit down, and Ryan? Will you be a dear and set the table?" (Bro I don't know how nice moms talk, mine just expects me to have everything ready.)

"Of course, mom. I'll be right there."

"Thanks sweetie." Mrs. Ross turned around and walked away to what (Y/N) assumed to be the kitchen again. Making sure Mrs. Ross wasn't within hearing range, (Y/N) faced Ryan and preparing to apologise.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I just didn't-" She was cut off by his arms pulling her into his warm embrace once again. He knew she needed this, and his point was quickly proven by her arms, wrapping around his waist. Her head fell limp on his chest as she let him pull her closer into his chest, making sure to whisper a soft, "It's okay, you don't have to apologise. I understand."

Comforting (Y/N) to an extent where she felt his love radiate, but brushing it off as his warmth. Slowly, they both let go. She looked up at him and smiled, but quickly looked down.
"Uh, we should go set the table." She rubbed her fingers against the back of her hand.

"Yeah. Or else my mom will come over here again." He chuckled, walking towards the kitchen, (Y/N) following right behind. He redirected his path to a drawer. Those must be the silverware?
He took out three sets of the regular silverware– a fork, spoon and, knife– and proceeded to place it on table.

Don't be useless, do something. Oh yeah, I forgot, you are useless in general.
(Y/N) shook her head, as if to disagree but to get the voice out of her head at the same time. "Is there anything I can do to help, Ryan?"

"No, you're our guest! Of course not." (Y/N) bowed her head to signal her understanding, but in reality, those words just made her feel more useless.

After Ryan finished, he stepped into the kitchen and gave his mom notice that they– well, more he than they– were ready. She brought out a plate containing a pie. Placing it down gently, she walked back and forth from the kitchen to the dining room to gather all of the plates. Once finished placing everything, she gestured them to sit down with her.

They ate in silence, only the clinking of their silverware being heard. It was an awkward silence in which they took comfort in, until Mrs. Ross spoke up.
"So, (Y/N), how did you and Ryan meet?" Ryan ducked his head in embarrassment. (Y/N) chuckled at his actions. Stop it. Don't laugh.
"We actually met during," Gotta butcher it up again, "Um, what was it Ryan?" Ryan thought fast and said, "I think it was gym class. You accidently cut yourself on the bleachers, and I helped you clean the wound."
"Oh yeah! Gym. That was it. I, uh, get freaked out seeing my own blood."

Mrs. Ross looked between them, and smiled slightly. "Haven't I met you before? No, I think Ryan must've mentioned you."
"Oh yes. We were in a class together in grade school, 6th. Truth be told, I don't really remember that year. After all, it was so long ago, 5 years ago to be exact."

Liar.

(Y/N) remembered everything from that year. It was the worst year she had gone through. Her mother's boyfriend and her mother were beating her more, considering she was smaller, a lot more weaker and a lot less mouthy than when she was seven. Therefore, she wouldn't tell anyone.
She was forced to starve. And every day she went to school and put on a façade. All smiling and happy. No one suspected a thing.
Or at least she thought. Ryan knew. Wearing long sleeves in the middle of summer and brushing it off as being cold? That's not even close to believable. But, he was scared to ask her what was going on, if there was anything going in at home. He didn't know what to do. He was only twelve. What is a twelve year old supposed to do when his crush is being beat and she won't tell anyone?

Mrs. Ross nodded in understanding, "Yes, it was so long ago. I remember Ryan, such a little munchkin." Ryan's eyes widened, knowing that his mother was going to show (Y/N) his baby pictures. It was the first girl he ever brought home, even if it was just his friend. Well, friend that he's deeply in love with.

(Y/N) laughed, remembering how small Ryan was and how much he'd grown. Suddenly Mrs. Ross's eyes brightened as an idea entered her head. That idea, Ryan feared.
Mrs. Ross got up from her chair, "Oh, I have just the thing." Ryan sighed.

She came back with a book. A scrapbook to be exact. Oh shit, she probably still thinks we're dating or something. Mrs. Ross grabbed her chair and put it next to (Y/N) and opened the book, revealing tiny pictures– polaroid maybe –of a little boy, with brown hair and beautiful brown eyes. It was then that (Y/N) saw the boy's eyes, she knew (she fucked up) that was Ryan. It hit her like a bus in slow motion, that those tiny pictures of the boy, was Ryan as a baby. And in every picture, he was a bit older. This is a scrapbook. She's going to show me a scrapbook. Not just any scrapbook, Ryan's scrapbook.
━━

Hey! So sorry I haven't updated. School just started and I've been so busy. It's not likely I'll be updating a lot, but I'll try. Don't forget to comment, I love reading them!

–Dana❤