HAZE (On Hold)

Part 3

With Dylan's help, Hailee finds herself getting settled into her new surroundings and routine. She undergoes testing to establish where she is at academically and starts out doing a few online courses to get her feet wet before taking on a full course load. Thankfully, academics were always a strong point of hers and she is able to undertake the new challenge with very few issues. The same can't be said for her family life or lack thereof a family life.

Her father is conveniently away more frequently for business as Shay plans the wedding of the century for the 500 on the guest list. Hailee has tried her best to get to know Aurora, but the other girl similar to her mother is always either typing or talking on her phone. Shay has "gifted" her daughter with her own personal driver and assistant, because anything Rory wants, Rory gets. On days when she should be in school, she often comes home with a car full of bags and her entourage of friends.

When Hailee sees them enter the house, she does her best to stay in her room, out of their sight. She had an encounter with one of the girls on the stairs one afternoon and said hi to her, the girl ignored her. She later overheard the girl talking to Aurora about her.

"I can't believe you have to live with that, like seriously isn't there some kind of surgery they can do to make her look less creepy."

"I know, right. She is so ugly even her Dad doesn't want to be around her, that's why he's always away; it's not for business, it's to get away from her."

"You should suggest to your Mom that she be shipped away somewhere, for people like her once they get married."

"Nah, good ole Randy wouldn't go for it."

"Your Mom convinced him to marry her, I'm sure she can convince him to get rid of scarface."

Hailee after hearing the last comment ran to her room in tears and cried herself to sleep. The next day she stood in her bathroom looking at the prescription pill bottles in her cabinet through a new lens. The contents of those plastic containers could help her end the pain, end everything. She had learned to tolerate the physical pain but the emotional scaring ran deep and she was having difficulties controlling the overwhelming thoughts in her head. Putting the bottle down, she returned to her bed and buried herself under the covers.

She didn't leave her bed for the next several days with the exception of small bathroom breaks. Anne brought up and left food in her room, but she wasn't interested in eating anything. She was awoken from her sleep with the covers being thrown off her.

"Go away."

"Nope, not happening kid. Get up, get showered and dressed. We have plans today."

"Leave me alone, Dylan."

"Either you get in the shower right now, or I'm bringing it to you. I have an extra ticket to the USWNT soccer game today and you're coming with me."

Hailee sits up and looks at her, "I can't go, I'll scare people."

Dylan lifts up her bag, "A little makeup and strategic hair placement and no one will even notice. Now c'mon or we're going to be late."

"Ok, can you ask your Aunt if she can make me a sandwich, I'm actually kind of hungry now."

"Deal. I'll be back, oh and I brought you this to wear." Dylan throws a USWNT shirt with the 13 and Morgan on the back. "How did you know?"

"She's the background on your laptop, now, seriously get moving. I'll be back."

Hailee removes her clothes and stands underneath the showerhead. She starts to feel overwhelmed but battles through it. She wraps a towel around herself and collects clothes to wear from her walk-in closet. She dresses quickly and pulls the Morgan shirt on, smiling when she sees the reflection in her floor-length mirror.