Chapter 3: Discovering the truth

Serena jerked awake and sat up abruptly. It was daylight. She looked around the room in confusion. Where was she?

Throwing the bed covers off her legs, she stood up. Just then, the door opened and a nurse walked in holding a chart.

Serena remembered her from the previous night. She was the one who gave her the sad news about her parents.

"You're awake. Let me get the doctor." She said and hurried out of the room. A few seconds later, she returned with a doctor behind her.

"Miss Williams, I'm Dr. Lampam. You have my deepest condolences."

"Thank you." Serena murmured quietly. "Can I see my parents?"

"I'm sorry, but they've been taken to the morgue." Dr. Lampam replied. "You may come back tomorrow."

"Can I go now?"

The doctor checked her pulse and temperature and scribbled something on the chart he held.

"You can. Also, if any of your relatives are close by, please leave their information at the front desk."

Serena nodded and stepped out of the room. Her friends were waiting in the hallway. They rushed towards her when they spotted her and she broke down in tears.

"I'm so sorry this happened." Tabitha whispered, hugging her close.

"We're all here for you." Anderson added.

Someone tapped him and he turned around to see Jayden. He nodded, understanding what Jayden wanted.

He and the others moved away and Jayden pulled Serena close in a warm hug, softly kissing her hair.

"I'm here for you, babe." He murmured. "We're all here for you. Everything will be fine."

Serena wrapped her arms around him, needing his comfort.

The drive home was totally silent and she cried all the way. When they arrived at her house, they walked her to the door.

"We can come stay with you if you want." Natasha suggested.

"You don't have to. I'll be fine." Serena mumbled. "I just want to be alone."

"I'll stay with her." Jayden offered.

"Alright then." Tabitha nodded. "We will come to check on you later, okay?"

"Okay." Serena nodded bid them goodbye. Then she walked into the house with Jayden.

"Who paid the hospital bills?" She asked.

"I did." Jayden answered. "Don't worry about any of it."

"Thank you. I'm going to take a shower now."

"If you need anything, I'm here." Jayden assured her.

Alone in her room, she fell on her bed and buried her head under her pillows. Her tears resumed again, soaking the bedsheets, but she knew she had to be strong. Crying wouldn't bring her parents back.

Suddenly she sat up when she remembered her birthday gifts. She hurried to the closet and pulled out two boxes, fancily decorated.

"I miss you both so much." She whimpered softly. "Why did you have to leave me all alone?"

Wiping her tears, she tore through the wrappings and opened the box.

Rick had gotten her a new pair of sneakers, the one she had been saving up to buy. She smiled through her tears, noticing the small note attached to the box.

Picking it up, she unfolded it and read.

'My sweet Serena. If you are reading this, it means you're eighteen already, and it is time you know the truth about your real parents...'

Serena stopped and frowned. Her real parents? What was her dad talking about?

'I never intended to keep the truth away from you, but your mother and I are not your real parents. We badly wanted to tell you on your sixteenth birthday, but you were too young. Now that you're eighteen, your real parents will come for you. Can you ever forgive me?

Dad'

Serena was stunned speechless. So the people she had been living with were what, her foster parents?

Her mind still reeling, she unwrapped the second box. There was a pretty pink dress inside, the same one she had admired online.

There was another note attached to it and she read it.

'Sweet Serena, I know you will be upset by what I'm about to tell you. But believe me, your father and I did it for your sake. Your real parents are alive, and they will come for you soon. They will explain everything, because I know you have a lot of questions. I have always loved you, and you will always be my daughter.

Mom'

"What the hell." 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, she thought.

Jayden knocked and she quickly shoved the notes into the box.

"Serena, you okay babe?" He asked worriedly.

"Yeah I'm okay. Just give me a minute, I'll be with you." She answered as calmly as she could.

He walked away and she breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't let anyone know about this secret yet. Her head was reeling with a thousand questions, questions she didn't have the answers to.

She hid the box in her closet and took a quick bath. When she was done, she called Jayden up to her room.

"You okay?" He asked as he entered the room, taking her in his arms.

She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder. Then she pulled him to the bed where they cuddled together.

"I just feel so empty." She whispered.

Jayden's arms tightened around her. "I understand how you feel babe." He said. "I felt the same way when I lost my dad."

"I remember." Selena sighed. "You were so lost."

"Yeah." Jayden smiled warmly. "But I had to be strong for my mom, and you guys were there for me."

He caressed her hair softly as he spoke. "But we're here for you now, and we will all help you through this difficult time."

"I'm so glad I have you all. Especially you." Serena said softly, smiling back at him.

Jayden stared at her silently, caressing her hair. "Did I ever tell you that you have the prettiest eyes?"

She blushed deeply and shook her head. He looked so handsome, staring at her intently.

Jayden lowered his head and suddenly kissed her. His lips were warm and soft against hers. When she didn't stop him, he deepened the kiss, drawing out a soft sigh from her.

He was about to cover her body with his when she pushed him back and sat up.

"I'm so sorry. I got carried away." He apologized.

"No, it's okay. I'm not just in a right state of mind".

"I shouldn't have done something like that. Not when you're going through a tough time." Jayden insisted.

Serena gently held his face and pecked his lips. "Jayden, it's okay. I liked it." She assured him.

"Alright." He nodded. "Are you hungry? We could go out to eat if you want."

Serena smiled at him and shook her head. "I don't feel like going out. Let's prepare something together."

"Anything you want."

Serena led the way to the kitchen, all the while wondering about the letters she found about her foster parents and her real parents.