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

Chapter 56: Hayden

Thursday, 1:56 P.M. EST

“So how’re things with Serenity?” Dr. Reyborn asks after we move on from the topic of my family, and the different treatment options for me after leaving here.

It’s become the norm for her to ask about Ren during all of our sessions.

“It’s getting a little better,” I tell her with confidence.

My response prompts her to raise a brow in interest as she notates something on her notepad. “Oh, yeah?” she asks, intrigued. “How so?” 

Only now does clamming up cross my mind. I’m not about to explain my plan to break Ren to Dr. Reyborn, so lying probably would have been the better option. 

Before I can come up with a response, Dr. Reyborn adds a follow-up question. “Are things with her getting easier to handle for you?” she asks, “Or are you girls actually forming some kind of friendship now?” 

I think about it, but find my answer easily. “Both,” I tell her matter-of-factly. “A little of both.”

She grows more interested as she continues to scribble, glancing up at me every few moments to read my body language.

I wish I could see what she’s been writing about. She keeps raising her brow as if to learn something new about me.

“That’s very interesting, Hayden,” she says after a few moments, laying her pen down on her desk before leaning toward me. “What’s changed? That’s not the response I expected given our last few sessions.” 

It takes longer for me to respond this time. I think hard on her question, but don’t find a response as easy. 

Even when I do, I’m uncertain of it; It’s not a lie… it’s just not the entire truth.

“I can tolerate her better, is all,” I say after forming the words in my head. “She doesn’t bother me as much as she used to.” 

Dr. Reyborn nods, but doesn’t notate my every word like she usually does. Instead, she stays very intent on following up and watching my response with a close eye. “So no need to be a hero anymore? I’m sure she hasn’t changed her ways at all.” 

It was never about that. The way she bullies everyone around her to get what she wants irked me, but there was always so much more underlying it too. 

I’m not sure how to respond though, so I just ignore her question and allow her to move on. 

“Hayden, is befriending Serenity after what we’ve spoken about during our sessions the greatest idea?” she asks, glaring at me over her glasses. 

I should’ve expected that question, but I didn’t. I mean, how could I expect a grown woman to advise me not to befriend another patient in her facility? 

That just sounds crazy!

“I think it’ll help,” I say after a second, crossing my arms over my chest as I stare back at her. “And it’ll save me a lot of energy I spent hating her, so…” 

Dr. Reyborn nods, but leaves silence to go back to scribbling on her notepad before continuing. 

“Wouldn’t this new relationship be symbolizing your complacency in your own disorders?” she asks when she raises her eyes to me again. She crosses her arms over her chest after placing her pen on top of her notepad. “If you’ve grown to tolerate Serenity’s… perks, and we’ve already established that those perks were the same ones you disliked in some of yourself…then?” 

She trails off, leaving time for me to fill in the rest of her statement.

But she doesn’t fucking know what the fuck she’s talking about.

“I wouldn’t say any of that, at all,” I respond, with more snark in my voice than intended. “Are we done for the day?”