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

Chapter 90: Hayden

Sunday, 6:07 PM EST

Ren grows more agitating the closer 10 o’clock creeps to us. She refuses to shut up about tonight! Any moment she’s alone with me, she brings it up.

She’s driving me insane.

“You should come with me, Hayden,” she whispers to the dismay of the woman speaking at the front of the room. 

I try not to make it obvious when I respond, waiting until the woman turns around to the Smart Board before opening my mouth. “I’d love to, I just-” I pause to rack my mind for a better reason than the hundred I’ve already given her. “I need to sleep tonight, okay? I’m being discharged tomorrow!”

Ren rolls her eyes. I don’t think she cares too much for the fact that I’m leaving. I’m sure the only reason she tolerates it is because she’ll go back to being "top dog" around here.

Little does she know…

“Whatever,” Ren sighs, shaking her head in annoyance. “That’s your loss; Tonight is going to be great. Did Ryan bring pot or alcohol?”

I shake my head subtly as not to irk the woman standing at the front of the room. “One or the other; I’m not sure,” I whisper.

Ren nods her head, seeming to be done with the conversation. I thank God in my mind; I couldn’t handle any more! It sucks I’m not going to get to enjoy my time here after I get Ren locked in Solitary. But listen to that sentence!

Enjoy my time here? I’m not supposed to enjoy that!.

“Hello! Hayden?” Ren pulls me from my mind after a few moments.

I look up to see everybody in the room staring at me. They’re waiting for me to respond to something I’m not even sure of.

The woman at the front of the room must catch onto the fact that I wasn’t paying attention because she repeats the question I’d missed.

“Would you like to come up and tell everybody about what you’ve gained during your stay here?” she asks, her face hopeful but kind. “It’s a tradition! And I’m sure everyone would love to hear what you’ve got to say!”

I don’t want to do that, at all. I need to for Hayden’s image though, so I let out a long sigh and try to gather myself. “Uhm… sure!” I exclaim, trying to seem optimistic.

I make my way to the front of the room, walking past an over-excited Sarah as I do. By the time I get to the woman, I’m at a loss for words.

After a few seconds, I start with an introduction. It’s silly considering that I’ve spent the last month with these people, but it’s the only thing that I can bring myself to do.

“I’m Hayden,” I tell everybody, ignoring their giggles as I rack my mind for more to say. “And I’ve been here for about five weeks… I learned a lot, I guess.”

I’m surprised that I’m nervous considering all the work I’ve done for crowds as Hayden. I guess this isn’t the same as living out your dreams though…

I pull her to the front of my mind, trying to block out all the other voices as I take a deep breath. 

What did Hayden learn here? What did she gain?