VERONICA SHUTS HER EYES FOR A MOMENT AT A RED LIGHT, opening them quickly and running a hand through her now messy hair. She didn't really know what she had gotten herself into, all she knew was that she was obligated to go back. Oh, Christ.

'This isn't good', She thinks as the light turns green, beginning to drive once again, her foot resting on the brake as she drives towards Mason's school. She was already nearly there, probably five more minutes with traffic.

Her mind was terribly clouded as she turned left and began to drive straight towards the school, she could already see the large soccer fields and playground the younger children play on. Gripping onto the wheel anxiously, she looked to the rear view mirror, turning into the front parking lot of the school and scouring for a parking spot.

She didn't have a clue where she'd place Mason today, the Warrens were done, she hated the thought of placing him is respite, it's not like she could bring him to Derry with her! Pulling to stop and beginning to park her car in a space near the doors, pulling her things together and bringing her purse onto her lap. She runs her hand through her hair, letting out a deep breath — attempting to calm herself down.

Part of her was breaking, her mind was breaking up. Another part was excited, things were coming to her. Her childhood, her friends, Richie. She remembered him best, so far. After Mike had said the Losers names, her mind had conjured up the curly haired boy with the thick bottle lenses. She didn't remember him, twenty-seven years. Oh, God. Richie Tozier, her Richie Tozier.

"Okay, get Mason — get out of here, figure this shit out," She mumbles to herself, opening the car door and beginning to get out. Her shoes crunching against the rocky ground as she slams the car door shut and begins to walk towards the school doors.

She couldn't really focus on anything as she walked. Her mind doing backflips as her hands takes hold of the door handle, pulling it open and her eyes being blinded by the bright fluorescent lights. Plucking the black hair tie on her wrist, she snaps it against her wrist harshly.

Making her way through the halls, she passes by students and staff before she finally makes her way to the office. Turning into the room while snapping the hair tie against her wrist once again. The receptionist was on the phone. Slowly, she walks closer to the desk. Waiting patiently for the woman to get off the phone.

She stares around the office, seeing the bustle of the staff who worked in the overpopulated high school. It was about two minutes before the phone call was over, the woman looking up to Veronica from her chair. "Hello, how can I help you?" She asks, tiredly.

Veronica pauses for a moment, blinking several times — her heart still racing from the previous phone call. "Uh, I'm... Veronica Mills," She begins — pausing once again as her mind begins to get clouded all over.

'Shut up, Nic!' A distant voice rings in her ears, her breath hitching. It was a familiar voice, it wasn't mean despite the words. Almost made her feel safe.

'You're real fucking pretty, you know, Veronica? Too bad you don't know how to shut up!' Her heart clenches, her hand reaching for her hair tie as more words begin to circle her.

'What do you say, huh? Veronica and Henry?'

'Watch it, Brace Face!'

'I can't believe the Mills of all families had a child like you! It's no wonder why they left,'

But, from all the voices, she was able to pick up one. One in particular. One that stuck out. 'I missed you so much, Ronnie,'.

"Excuse me? Ms. Mills? What is it you need?" Another voice, a closer voice, breaks her from her trance. Veronica shakes her head, looking to the confused receptionist.

Breathing out a shaky breath, Veronica furrows her eyebrows. "Oh. I'm sorry. Yes, I'm here for Mason McAllen. I'm his social worker," She responds, going into her purse and pulling out the yellow file which contained Masons paperwork.

The receptionist sighs, "He's quite the troublemaker," She says, typing something on her computer before getting up. "Just this way, you can just take him... Home?" She goes on as she begins to walk to the empty principals office.

Veronica nods, placing the file back into her purse as the receptionist opens the door and beckons her in before turning away and back to her desk. "Mason," Veronica greets, walking towards the seat that the boy sat in, facing away from her.

His head turns back, a bruise already blossoming on the side of his face and suddenly she felt lightheaded. Stumbling over a bit as she brings her hand to her face.

Suddenly, she sees it. Sees him, more accurately. She's thirteen and she's in the middle of this street. She's thirteen and surrounded by six people. He shoved her back causing her to lose her footing and nearly topple over onto the hard concrete.

She can't hear anything, only see and feel. She's upset, angry, furious because the next thing she's seeing is a fist forming in her hand, before her hand makes contact with his face. Richie's face. His glasses falling off, his body stumbling back.

And, then, she's back. Hand holding onto the chair that sat next to the one Mason was seated on. Well, once seated on. He's standing now, rushing towards the shorter woman, he stood at 5'8. He's been taller than her since he was eleven. "V-Veronica? Are y-you okay?" He sputters out, grabbing hold of her forearm and helping her stand straight.

She stays silent for a moment, catching her balance as Mason continues to hold onto her arm, staring down at her with worry. "Yes. Yeah, sorry, Mace. Come on, I'll explain what's gonna happen in the car," She begins, looking up to the young boy she cared so deeply for.

Mason was practically her child. Sure, he was a ward of the government. But, Veronica has seen the most even if she couldn't adopt him. Even if, she wasn't with him everyday. Mason was her child. In both her eyes and his.

Letting go of her arm, he lets her lead the way out of the school. Keeping his head down as students glared at him, teachers giving him pitiful looks. He was an orphan in their eyes. But, in his, he was so far from it and that was all because of Veronica Mills.