Lessons Unlearned

Chapter 5

"Go away mom I'm not in the mood to talk." Jaylinn's speaks her voice sounds hoarse on the other side of the door.

I clear my throat briefly before speaking up.

"It's actually me mom. I was hoping we could talk." My voice trembles slightly from fear of her getting angry at me.

"Annalise I'm not in the mood to deal with you right now. Please go away." She chokes the words out somehow.

"I know what happened to your daughter." I blurt out loud hoping she will open up.

"Where did you hear about that!" Jaylinn's voice can be heard loudly through the door.

"Grandpa talked to me. He told me that you had a daughter who died at a young age. He also told me that you are infertile, Trevor and you can't have another kid." I state but she interrupts me.

"She wasn't Trevor's kid!" She loudly snaps as I hear the sound of something being thrown in her room.

"I know that too. I'm sorry you had to go through that. No mother should have to bury their child. This situation isn't ideal, as a matter of fact it is illegal, but I'm tired of living like this. I'm willing to try to make our family work mom but some things need to change." I state almost hating myself for it.

"Like what?" Jaylinn voice is soft and sounds closer. I'm guessing she is sitting by the door now.

"I want to go back to school in person. No more online classes. William and I also want to go back to our old school. After our last class of the day we will meet you in the orchestra room so we can go home together. I want to be treated with dignity like William is. We can be a family, like you have always wanted." I choke the words out. It's not ideal but if it gets us to live a somewhat normal life I'll take it. I need some normality in my life.

"You promise?" Jaylinn has tears streaming down her face as she opens the door.

"Yes mom I promise." I barely have time to get the words out before she pulls me into a tight hug.

"Okay." Jaylinn wipes her eyes, before standing up. We both head out of her bedroom with smiles on our face.

For the first time since being here, it is a real smile. I feel happier since making up with her.

This life isn't perfect, it's not what I wanted it to come to but things seem like they can be some what normal now. As normal as this can be at least.

"I see you two made up." Trevor's face lights up as we come down the stairs.

"Yeah I guess you can say we did." I smile as I look over at Conrad, he winks at me. I smile back at him.

The sound of feet pounding down the stairs makes me turn around in lightning speed.

William emerges out of nowhere pulling me into a hug with a smile on his face.

We tumble to the floor together in a fit of laughter. He stays on top of me, staring into my electric blue eyes. I stare back into soft pools of amber; getting lost in them, temporarily forgetting the world around us. He leans in, his perfect pink lips inches away from mine. The sound of four people clearing their throats loudly, brings us back to reality. William gets off me, while extending a hand to help me get up.

William looks down at the ground, embarrassment rising as his cheeks turn a slightly rosy hue. He breifly clears his throat before speaking one word.

"Sorry." He takes a seat on the couch while avoiding eye contact with everyone.

We sit in an uncomfortable silence for a few moments until someone breaks it.

"I was thinking since Annalise and Jaylinn made up, we should go out for dinner." Trevor declares a smile plastering his face.