Chapter 3:Discovering the truth

Serena woke up with a start. It was daylight. She sat up in bed, looking around frantically. This wasn't her room. Where was she? She threw the covers off her legs and stood up. Just then, the door opened and a doctor walked in holding a chart. Serena remembered him from yesterday. He was the one that gave her the sad news about her parents.

"Good thing you're awake miss. I'm Dr. Lampam. You passed out from shock yesterday",the doctor said. "My condolences miss Serena".

" Thank you doctor. Am I free to go now?"Serena asked quietly. The doctor checked her pulse and temperature and scribbled something in the chart he was holding. " Yes you can. Your friends are outside, they've settled the bills",Dr. Lampam said.

"Thank you doctor",Serena said again and walked out. She met her friends in the sitting area in the hallway. They all rushed to meet her. Anderson drew her into a big bear hug and patted her back. "We're all here for you Rena. I'm so sorry this happened",he said.

Serena sobbed quietly in his arms. "Please take heart Serena. You have to be strong"Tabitha and Samantha said while the rest of them tried to cheer her up. Someone tapped Anderson and he turned to see Jayden. He nodded, understanding what Jayden wanted. He released Serena and Jayden drew her into his arms while placing kisses on her hair.

"I'm here for you babe",he said. "We're all here for you. Everything will be fine", Jayden said softly to her. Serena wrapped her hands around Jayden, needing his comfort. Soon she was able to keep the tears at bay and they all left the hospital.

"You want us to come stay with you?" Natasha asked. Anderson parked the car in front of Serena's house and they all waited to hear her out.

"You guys don't have to. I'll be fine",Serena said. "I just need to be alone"

"You can't be alone in this state Serena",Jordan said. "I'll stay with her",Jayden said. He looked at Serena, "If that's okay with you".

Serena smiled and nodded. They all came down from the car and hugged her. "We will all text you when you feel better, ok?" Tabitha said. Serena nodded again bid them farewell. Then she turned and walked into the house, with Jayden behind her.

"Who paid the hospital bills?" She asked. Jayden looked sheepish as he answered her. "I did. You don't have to worry about it".

"Thanks Jay" she said softly. "I have to shower.",she added and walked to her room.

"If you need anything, I'm here",Jayden said as she walked away. Serena nodded and shut the door.

Back in her room, she fell on her bed and buried her head under her pillows. She could feel the tears brimming in her eyes and she blinked them away. She had to be strong. Crying wouldn't bring her parents back. Suddenly she sat up. Her presents! She walked to her closet and pulled out the two decorated boxes her parents had given her the previous morning. She couldn't hold the tears this time. They pooled below her eyelids and spilled out.

"I miss you so much mom and dad",she cried softly. "Why did you have to leave me all alone?" She wiped her tears and tore through the gift wrappings.

Her dad had bought a new pair of sneakers for her. She smiled through her tears. There was also a small note attached to the shoes. She picked it and unfolded it to read,

"my sweet serena. if you're

reading this, it means you're

already 18 and it's time for

you to know the truth about

your real parents...."

Serena stopped reading and frowned. Real parents? This was so confusing. What was her dad talking about? She wiped her tears and continued reading,

"i'm so sorry serena. your

mom and I are not your

real parents. we planned

to tell you on your 16th

birthday, but we felt you

were still too young. Your

real parents will come for

you as you turn 18. i'm

sorry for the lies my serena.

I hope you can forgive me".

Dad.

Serena was dumbfounded. The people she thought were her real parents were actually her foster parents? This couldn't be happening. She unwrapped her mom's gift and saw a pretty pink dress, the one she had always admired online. She started to feel emotional again, then she remembered they were not her real parents. There was another note attached to the pink dress. She opened it and read,

"Sweet serena, I know you

will be upset and angry

once you realize what I'm

going to tell you. but it's

for the best. your dad and

I are not your real parents.

your real parents are alive,

and they will come for you

once you turn 18. they will

explain everything to you.

I only hope you can forgive

us for keeping this secret

from you. we will always

love you".

Mom.

"OMG",Serena whispered. She couldn't believe her whole life had been a lie. Why would her real parents want her only when she turned eighteen? There was something missing, Serena thought. She heard a knock and she quickly shoved the notes into the box.

"Serena, you okay babe?",Jayden asked. He sounded worried.

"Yea I'm okay. Just give me a minute, I'll be with you",Serena answered as calmly as she could. She heard his retreating footsteps and breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't let anyone know about this secret yet. Her head was reeling with a thousand questions. Questions that she didn't know the answers to. She would just have to wait for her so-called real parents to show up.

She hid the box in her closet and entered the bathroom and took a quick shower. She brushed her teeth and changed into black shorts and a red t-shirt. She brushed her hair and tied it in a ponytail. She went to the door and called,

"Jayden, you can come up now".

She heard approaching footsteps and Jayden appeared. Her breath caught as she saw him. He was so handsome. He had blond hair framing his strong face, the bluest eyes, a straight nose and plump lips. Who wouldn't fall for a guy like Jayden?

"You okay?" he asked as he entered her room and took her into his arms. Serena nodded and rested her head on his shoulder. Then she pulled him to her bed where they cuddled together.

"I just feel so empty",Serena said. Jayden's arm tightened around her, trying to comfort her. "I understand how you feel babe",he said. "I felt this way when I lost my dad. I thought I would never be the same"

"I remember. You were so lost",Serena said and looked up to stare at him. She remembered when Jayden lost his dad a few years ago. He had been so heartbroken.

"Yea" Jayden said with a smile. "But I had my mom, and you guys and I was able to find myself". He caressed her hair softly as he spoke. "We're here for you Rena, and we will all help you overcome this difficult time". He looked down at her and gave her a smile.

"I'm so glad I have you guys. Especially you",Serena said softly and smiled back at him. Jayden used his thumb to trace her face, her rosy cheeks, her chin, her lips, "Did I ever tell you I get captivated each time I stare into your eyes?"

Serena blushed deeply hearing what he said. No one had ever told her things like that. Her heart hammered in her chest as Jayden lowered his head to kiss her. He pressed his lips softly on hers and stopped. When she didn't stop him he kissed her again, lingering on each kiss. Her lips were so soft and sweet. So inviting. As he deepened the kiss, Serena pushed him back and sat up.

"I'm so sorry babe, I got carried away",Jayden apologized. "No it's okay. I'm not just in a right state of mind",Serena said.

"I shouldn't have done something like that. Not when you're going through a lot",Jayden said. He looked like he was about to curse himself. Serena turned to him and held his face,"Jayden it's okay. I liked it",she said shyly. "I just....",she paused not knowing how to continue.

"It's alright",Jayden said. He pulled her close to him. "Are you hungry? We could go out to eat or I could prepare something for you",he said. Serena smiled sweetly at him. "I don't feel like going out",she said. "Let's prepare something together".

"Alright", Jayden said. Serena led the way to the kitchen, still wondering about the letters she found about her foster parents and her real parents.