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

Chapter 41: Hayden

About three days later...

W

ednesday, 10:49 A.M. EST

I woke up today feeling different.

The last few days have been hectic. It turns out, the first thing to go after skipping my daily doses of medication was my ability to get up in the morning. 

I just haven’t wanted to.

And besides that, a few of my voices have been waking up from their slumber. I’ve had to listen to them rant back and forth to each other about what to do in our current situation.

Nobody is happy to be here, doing any of this. None of them are okay knowing what Ty did to me, and none of them want to deal with Ren’s shit. I don’t blame them, but unless they’re going to do something about it- I’d rather them stay silent.

There has been no sign of Jena, but today feels different. 

I walk out into the cafeteria, dragging my feet until I make it to the table. I let myself slump down on the seat with a sigh.

“Hayden, I was waiting for you!” Sarah gasps excitedly when she turns around to see me. “Mr. Evan was asking for you! It has to do with Ren, doesn’t it? Can you tell me what will happen before you go talk to him? I feel like I have to prepare for this...”

Well, that was a lot to process. My mind somehow does it, but stays hung up on one specific statement. 

“What does Evan want me for?” I ask in synchronization with the thought passing my mind. In the two weeks that I’ve been here, Evan has never said a word to me.

Sarah rolls her eyes and lets out a small sigh. “I don’t know, that’s what I’m asking you!” she exclaims, shrugging her shoulders. “I’ve got to know what’s going to happen! Is Ren going to go on a rampage? Because I’ll fake a meltdown just to go into solitary! This can’t be a stressful day; My stomach hurts already!”

I can see the anxiety on her face, and consider trying to ease it. I’ve had a soft spot for Sarah because I see so much of myself as a child in her; That’s how I know there is nothing I can do to make her feel better. 

Except eliminate the source of her anxiety, and I’m working on that.

“Where’s Ren?” I ask, once again ignoring her questions as I form my own.

She lets out a frustrated sigh, visibly on edge now. “She’s in her appointment with Dr. Reyborn!” she whines. “Can you please tell me if you’re going to make Ren mad again?! She stole my snuggie last time! I didn’t do any-“

I shake my head before she can finish, scanning the room until I find Evan standing against the nurse station. 

“Everything will be fine,” I say to Sarah before bee-lining right to him. “Relax, I promise you everything will be okay!”

I’ve got no time to waste. Who knows how long Ren will be in that appointment. 

On my brief walk over to where Evan stands, I contemplate what he could need to talk to me for.

Is Ren being a snitch again? Am I in some kind of trouble with Mr. Big Bad Ward Lead over here? It wouldn’t surprise me… 

The thoughts don’t stop me from approaching him wearing a smile across my face I haven’t worn in a while, but have seen since the day that I got here.

“Sarah said that you’d requested me?” I say with confidence as soon as he turns to face me.

Evan’s brows raise before he nods his head. He brushes off his conversation with one of the older nurses to request that I follow him into his office.

Even if I’m in trouble, I have no concern. 

His first mistake, if trying to punish me for whatever Ren probably snitched about, was bringing me into his office.

Alone.

I woke up today feeling different. And I don’t want to draw any conclusions yet, but I've got a feeling that I have nothing to worry about.

If what Ren says about Evan is true, he should be the one worrying.