Jenalyn: From the Inside (#3) [Complete]

Chapter 7: Hayden

Sunday, 1:21 P.M. EST

"Wow! Don't mind my asking, but why would you even take drugs knowing that you're pregnant, and that the Golds would trip their shit?" Ren asks, her eyes wide with interest as she presses further. "I mean- don't get me wrong! I've had my addiction since I was like 11, but I'd put it on hold for nine months, at least!"

I narrow my eyes at her, cocking my head to the side as I question how to respond to such a seemingly judgemental question.
I'm sure as hell not about to go into too much detail with this girl; It's become apparent that her hold over some of the girls is the secrets they confide in her.

I'm not about to fall into that category.

"Sometimes you just can't help it," I say matter of factly, shifting my weight from one buttcheek to the other...These chairs are hell.

Ren nods her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she'd like to say something but chose to go with something else instead. "That's crazy..." She sighs after a moment. "Well just know, you can talk to me about it whenever you want... even outside of this blanket of confidentiality."

She closes off her interrogation with a wink just as one of the nurses comes over to inform us that we have ten minutes until the session is over.

Has it really been a half hour already? The only thing we've spoken about is me...

Only in some of her responses to my answers have I learned anything about this girl, besides her ranking at this place and the apparent reason why.

I've learned that she's probably going to be in here for a while, seemingly because that's what she wants. I have also learned that, though it's not the reason for her admittance, she's had quite the addiction to both Oxycontin and Percocets since tweenhood. And I've learned that one of her friends from middle school liked Harlee Gold, but was too 'corny' so that the friendship ended pretty quickly.

"So what about you?" I ask before any more seconds tick away, and I'm shoved into another pointless activity. "Tell me what you're in for."

Ren's eyes widen in surprise before her round face widens into a big smile. She crosses her arms, placing them on the table with a thud.

"Oh, me?" she says with a small giggle. "I needed a vacation... the food here is shit, but the beds are fitting for my spine."
She winks again, but I can't return the playful demeanor she holds.

How is she going to have me spill the beans, but keep hers all hulled up and secretive like this isn't 'the blanket of confidentiality,' or whatever corny shit this place tries to drill into our heads?

She picks up on the unimpressed look glued to my face and playfully rolls her eyes. She lets out a sigh before continuing.

"Relax, Hayden!" she says while once again reaching across the table to grasp my hand. "That story's for another day... ask me anything else."

That story is for another day? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Why can't she tell me now?

A million questions, drenched in curiosity, swirl my mind as I wonder what she could've done to get herself in here. I want to inquire further- probably more now that she made it such a big deal! But I take a deep breath instead, and try to think of a different one.

My eyes scan the room, brief thoughts of what I know so far about this place passing my mind as my eyes fall on each of the other patients.

"What's your deal with that kid?" I ask as soon as my eyes fall on the quieter of the two boys from lunch. The one she said to be quite protective over when it came to Nurse Crystal and her bad habit.

I could've asked her about Evan, the ward lead... but based on her response to my first question, I figured I'd play it a little more safe.

Ren follows my gaze, falling on the boy only to flatten her brows and let out a groan. "Danny?" she asks, almost as if his name tastes sour in her mouth. "We've... fucked around. But apparently, he fucks old women too, so..."

She shrugs her shoulders and very visibly has to plaster a smile back on her face.
Ah, I was right!

That's... interesting. A part of me that I can barely hear takes note of all of the information that was just confirmed and received.

"Oh, wow!" I say without much enthusiasm, matching her demeanor without her even realizing it. "That's... fucked up! How long have you two even been here to-"

Ren cuts me off before I can continue, her face falling flat and almost annoyed as if a switch has just gone off in her head.

"Too long." she slams her hand firmly down onto the table. "-and for your information, I've found better. So don't go thinking Danny pulled anything over on me."

What the fuck...?