The Challenge [One Direction: Louis Tomlinson Romance]

                “We’re shutting down the daycare?!” I asked Margret, my eyes wide and already watery as my heart broke.

                She sighed. “The donations… We don’t have enough money to continue the business.”

                I spluttered, “What about the government? Don’t they give loans and funds to charity type businesses?”

                “Dyslexia isn’t a life-threatening disease. They just see it as a first world problem that some kids need to overcome on their own, without the comfort of knowing others are just like them or guidance to help. It’s not a big deal to them.” She explained solemnly.

                I took a step away from her and looked in the window of the classroom I’m usually in. All of the kids in my age group were preoccupying themselves in some way – some were gathered around the plastic table and reading, others were standing at the wall painted the alphabet, and others were in the center playing board games that required reading a card to determine their fate.

                They all looked so happy, and they were all helping each other whether they knew it or not. They were reading, and reading was the best practice a dyslexic child could do for his or herself. I didn’t know what to do, who to talk to, or even what to say at the moment – I just felt like crying. And so I wiped my eyes to make sure no tears escaped and walked inside.

                All heads turned to me as they exclaimed, “Melanie!”

                I smiled, saying calmly, “Hey guys.”

                “Come sing for us!” Annabelle said, grabbing my hand and tugging me to the center.

                As they all looked up at me, guitar in hands, sitting in the circle with them as if I was their role model, I felt my heart break in half. These children were no longer my children – they were so mature, so grown up for their age even though they didn’t realize it. They made me happy… and now they were as good as gone.

~*~

                “They’re closing down the daycare,” I sobbed, looking up at my boyfriend as he opened his apartment door.

                His eyes were wide as he gathered me in a hug, pulling me inside. Louis brought me up to his room and then the next second we were cuddling on the bed, my head on his chest as my own rose and fell in a quick, uneven motion. I was crying for the children, and all my boyfriend had to do to soothe me was hold me there.

                “Sh, it’ll be okay. I promise,” Louis whispered, smoothing down my hair. “You aren’t losing the children. They all love you.”

                “B-But I’ll never see them…” I choked out.

                Ten more minutes and he had me calmed down. He had wiped away my tears and kissed me softly after some comforting words whispered in my ear, and I was starting to breathe normally again. I took a deep breath, admiring my boyfriend for being able to handle me so well in such a surprising situation. He really was perfect.

                We walked downstairs hand-in-hand and he made me food as I sat on top of the kitchen counter. He was keeping me occupied by talking about nothing, and I was thankful so my mind wouldn’t slip into the reason why I was upset. Still, though, I found myself thinking about it in bits and pieces, unable to truly smile.