Jenalyn: A Splitting Personality (#2) [Complete]

Chapter 26: Hayden

Thursday 4:10 P.M. 

"You really need to figure something out, Hayd- I'm not trying to nag, but we need to get you to the doctor's soon." Harper whispers, louder than I'd like, across the kitchen table.

Thank goodness Mama Gold and Harlee are outback checking out the garden, or Harper could've just totally blown my cover! 

I'm sure to shoot her a look as if to scold her for being so careless, but respond anyway knowing I can see the sliding glass door where Mama G and Harlee sit outside. 

"I'm working on it! I've been!" I whisper, "I'm trying to be smart about this, Harper! Just give me more time!" 

Harper's eyes fall low in annoyance for a moment, but quickly soften as I notice they always do when it comes to me. She let's out a small sigh before reaching her open hand across the table and awaiting mine to grasp it.

"I'm really not trying to nag you, you know that, right?" She says lowly, but empathetically. "I just know you want this- this whole... Hayden thing. And I know you want this baby, okay? But it's not going to be easy if it's not done the right way, love... You know I just want to help." 

I nod my head, thankful for Harper. I always am when she reassures me she's not like Mama G, or even Harlee. It's not that I don't love them! It's just that they would never love me if they knew half of what Harper does.

"I know." I tell her as I gently squeeze her hand.

I can see the worry still reside on her face though, and almost feel guilty for involving her in the web of lies I know I have to spin.

I want to tell her about Tyler, and how we've practically been seeing eachother- but how we've both been too afraid to really even consider it due to the age factor, and the fact that he's Harlee's ex. 

I just don't know how he'd feel about this pregnancy.. or if he'd even believe me if I tried to convince him it was his.

I also don't know how the Gold's would really take it all...

The sliding glass door slides open, and both Mama G and Harlee shuffle inside mid conversation about the vegetables growing so successfully in our backyard. 

"You girls gonna plant a garden at this place we're fixing up for you?" Mama Gold cuts Harlee off mid sentence to address us all. "I really hope you girls will take advantage of this opportunity, and not waste it away over a few parties, or some drugs or something! You all know I'll have you living with me until you're 40 if that's how long it takes before you all get your acts together!"

Both Harlee and Harper laugh, but I can't help the eyeroll I hide behind my hands as I place my elbows on the table. Thank goodness nobody noticed. 

"C'mon ma, you know Harper and I love gardens!" Harlee laughs. I'm not sure if there was meant to be any snark in her words, but even Harper's head snaps around with her mouth slightly agape to stare at Harlee. 

"I'm pretty sure Hayden would love a garden too," Harper says kind of defensively. "The girl practically only eats vegetables!"

Oh.. great.

Now I have Harlee throwing shade about my lifestyle, and Harper unintendedly throwing shade at my eating disorder...

Now what's Mama G got to say? 

They appraoch the table where Harper and I still sit within a few moments, and Mama Gold instantly let's out a sigh. 

"That whole 'eating disorder' deal will not be a thing either, young lady!" she quickly exclaims, only now speaking directly to the person she'd intended to direct her words at before. "I'm putting a lot of trust in you, Hayden Victoria! In my opinion, you are far too young to have your own place- even if it's just a sectioned off house, split with your sisters!" 

She walks over to me, softening her face once she realizes she had singled me out once again, and grasping gently onto each of my shoulders. 

"I don't want to hear about wild parties, or declining health, or little babies, or drugs and alcohol-" she says so mothering it's almost foreign. "-from any of you!" she quickly adds.