Chapter 4

Jenna’s P.O.V.

There are moments in your life that seem to shape us and turn us into the person that we are today. I always used to believe that every person starts out their life as a blank canvas, and moments and circumstances happening to us throughout our lives, shape us into our unique personalities. There are good memories and moments you keep going back to, reliving them over and over again. And then, there are other moments that we just want to forget about more than anything. For me, one of those moments that I wanted to forget with a passion, was high school.

I hated high school, no, scratch that… I loathed high school! And yet, ever since my plane landed, my mind had been pulling me back to those horrible days almost constantly. I sighed, sitting alone in my hotel room, my gaze fixed on the worn carpet beneath my bare feet. The flickering fluorescent light cast a pale glow, illuminating the space in a sterile, impersonal manner like most hotel rooms would do. Memories of my high school years kept flooding back, the pain and loneliness from that time resurfacing with a vengeance. I remembered the girl I used to be back then, a fragile soul trapped in a body that I hated, a target for the cruelty of my fellow peers. I had carried the weight of their harsh words in my heart, their laughter in my ears, and their taunts like a scar etched deep into my psyche. I had tried to hide my insecurities like any girl my age behind a façade of indifference, but inside, I had been crumbling all that time.

Four...

I had been four years old when my mom left me at the front door of my uncle’s house.

Four years old, when she had closed the door of her car and had literally driven off into the sunset, never looking back at me once, and never coming back for me either. That fact alone had made sure that I had trust issues and a running away complex written all over me. Which was basically what I had done myself, once I had turned eighteen and I had graduated from this hell called high school. I had run away from this place and never looked back once either. Not that my uncle had been bad to me during my childhood. If anything, Uncle Ben had been my rock inside the madness and chaos, but even he hadn’t been strong enough to keep me rooted here.

But I guess dying and having your younger niece as your only living family, gave you a big enough reason to come back home just for one last time. I at least owed it to him to come back, it was the least I could do for him, making sure that his house and business would be taken care of. There were vultures enough around that wanted nothing more but to grab the business that had taken him blood sweat and tears to build, and sell it to the highest bidder just for their own profit. Not that I had any idea how to run a business, I just hoped his will would give me some advice on how to move forward with all of this.

At least, that was what I was hoping for…

 praying for.

And now, I sat here, twelve years later after leaving this town behind me. The bad memories still trying to slice through a field of confidence that had taken me years to build up. But this time, I was determined to face them all head-on. One problem in particular.

Adam freaking Miller.

The main subject of my misery.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to acknowledge the strength I had gained since those dark days twelve years ago. I had come a long way since then, finding solace in self-acceptance, and learning to love myself despite the flaws that once had consumed me. No longer defined by zits and teenage drama plus way too many out-of-balanced hormones, I had become a woman of substance, a freaking force to be reckoned with if you asked me honestly.

My return to Fairview had been reluctant, but I couldn’t deny the pull of my familial duties to my uncle Ben. My uncle’s passing had brought me back to the place I once so desperately had wanted to escape and run away from. And now, as the sole remaining family member, I had no choice but to face the ghosts of my past one way or another. I reached for the letter I had received from my uncle’s attorney, inviting me to his office in order to read his will after his funeral which had been small and only with a handful of his closest friends. Ever since I received the phone call of my uncle’s passing, I had been reminded of the love he had shown me when few others had. I knew he would have wanted me to find closure, to find peace within the turbulent times of my past, which was probably the main reason why he had agreed to me leaving Fairview and starting a life of my own in Chicago. He had wanted me to be happy, and hopefully, after having dealt with his last wishes in Fairview, I could go back home and just do that, be happy. And so, I clutched the envelope tightly, feeling a surge of strength flow through my veins.

Leaving the confines of my hotel room, I stepped outside. The streets of the small town were mostly quiet, wrapped in an embrace of familiarity. I steeled myself for what lay ahead, the confrontations of my past, the revisiting of the places that held painful memories for me, and the rediscovery of my own resilience. I walked through the small streets if the town, my head held high, my stride steady. I was no longer that girl who had once been bullied, no longer defined by the scars of her youth. This time, I would rewrite my narrative, reclaiming the power I had lost so long ago.

As I entered the heart of the town, I could slowly feel the weight of my past lifting. This small town had changed over the years, just like I had done. Just like I had started to dye my hair into a lighter blonde, the walls of stores had been painted in lighter colors as well. Just like I had traded my pair of glasses for lenses, many of the windows on the main street had been modernized as well. The winter breeze whispered through the colorful remaining leaves, creating a symphony of rustling sounds that mirrored the emotions swirling around deep inside of me. Finally, I spotted the office of my uncle’s lawyer, a quaint building nestled among the storefronts. The polished brass plaque announced the name of the firm, a reminder that this was a place of legal proceedings. I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts, before giving myself a mental shoulder pat before stepping inside.

The lawyer’s office greeted me with the scent of aged leather and the hushed murmurs of conversation. The receptionist looked up from her desk as soon as I walked inside, a warm smile offering a silent reassurance. I announced my arrival by telling her my name since I had never seen this girl before and she probably hadn’t lived here twelve years ago before I had left, or she had been too young for me to have known her back then. Even though that would be weird, this town was so small you couldn’t live here and not know everybody. But instead of asking her name, I was directed to the waiting area, where I sat in a plush armchair, waiting until the lawyer would call me into his office.

 And all while waiting, I couldn’t help but think of my Uncle Ben. I wondered if maybe his will would reveal some of his secrets, like why he never got married or had any children of his own. He sure was energetic and always loved to travel and fish. Memories of him flickered through my thoughts. His gentle voice, the twinkle in his eyes when he would laugh, and the sense of belonging he had bestowed upon me, while I had been living in his house. In a way, my uncle had been the only parental figure in my life, at least the only one I could remember. Or the only one that had actually stayed.

The door to the lawyer’s office swung open, interrupting my daydream. A middle-aged man with graying hair and a stern expression appeared, extending his hand in greeting. I stood and reciprocated, feeling a sense of formality envelop the room.

“Miss Jenna, it is nice to see you again. It has been a while. I do have to say you have changed over the years. I honestly wouldn’t have recognized you, if I wouldn’t have known about your arrival here.” The lawyer nodded at me in honesty, to which I forced myself to smile back at him.

“Larry Reynolds.” I nodded, of course, since Larry was old and had been a lawyer probably before my birth, I knew him. I mean… I didn’t ‘know know’ him, but I knew his name and profession.

“Are you still living in Chicago?” He asked me, to which I nodded again.

“Ben was always proud of you for taking the big leap and taking your chances out in the big world.” Larry smiled at me as if he had been close with my uncle, which could have been a possibility, since they would have been around the same age and he had been present on his funeral as well.

“Please, come inside,” Larry spoke, extending his arm and waving me into his personal office.

“I will read your uncle’s will and execute his final wishes.” He added, to which I swallowed and stepped inside, in a way feeling as if by reading his will, it would be some form of a final goodbye from my uncle.

I followed Larry into a well-appointed office. The large mahogany table commanded attention, while the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on either side of his desk hinted at the wealth of knowledge contained within those bound pages. Taking a seat, I braced myself for the revelations that were about to unfold. Larry cleared his throat and opened a folder that was already lying on the center of the table, his eyes focused on the legal document in front of him.

“I, Ben Anderson, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament,” Larry began to read, his voice measured and composed while I sat opposite him, my eyes fixed on his face, hoping not to break down in tears.

“To my beloved niece, Jenna Anderson, whom I love like my own daughter, I leave my entire estate, including my family home, the surrounding properties, and all assets contained therein.” He spoke, to which I nodded, understanding what he was telling me.

 “Also, to Jenna Anderson, I leave the business ‘Anderson Construction’ that I have built. Knowing she will lead it well.” My eyes widened in surprise at that statement, my heart quickening its pace. I had anticipated receiving my uncle’s property, but the mention of the business becoming mine as well, sparked a mixture of excitement and apprehension within me. I mean, I had left High school to enter college and now had a bachelor’s degree in business. So even though I knew the ways to lead a company successfully, running a construction company, somehow felt like a jump into complete darkness. Larry, however, didn’t seem to mind, as he continued to read as if nothing had happened, his voice steady as he kept on reading.

“It is important to note that the business, Anderson Construction, is deeply tied to several contracts that are still running. According to the terms of the will, Jenna Anderson is required to maintain those ongoing contracts, acting as a guardian of sorts to ensure its continued success and collaboration, which also includes finishing the works of the new library of the High School.” My brows furrowed in confusion. The unexpected condition perplexed me in a way. I had no experience in the educational field, let alone knew anything about building a library for a high school, and my own memories of that very same high school were riddled with pain and insecurities. The thought of being bound to a place that held such negative associations made me apprehensive. And now, a deal that a couple of seconds ago looked tempting to take, now felt like a life sentence where they would lock me up and throw away the key forever. Larry seemed to notice my expression and quickly added,

“I understand that this might come as a surprise to you, Jenna. Your uncle had a vision for the business, and he believed that you possess the qualities to ensure its further success. It is his hope that you will bring positive change and make a difference in the lives of the people in Fairview and the community as well. Look at the high school’s library as some form of tribute to your late uncle, since it will be your first contract.”

My mind whirled with conflicting emotions. A part of me felt overwhelmed by the weight of my uncle’s expectations, unsure if I could even live up to them to begin with. But he had always believed in me, even when I hadn’t been able to believe in myself. And I needed to honor his memory and his last wishes… I needed to honor him. So, taking in a deep breath, I nodded. Setting aside my own pride and insecurities.

“I will honor my uncle’s wishes.” I decided, seeing how Larry smiled back at me, his eyes reflecting a mix of relief and admiration.

“I believe you have made the right choice, Jenna. Your uncle saw something in you that he believed would make a difference. And perhaps, by embracing your new position within Anderson’s Construction, you may even find yourself staying here for good this time.”

Yeah…

that’s never gonna happen…

I’m just not telling you yet…

As Larry concluded reading the will, he fixed his gaze on me, a hint of compassion in his eyes.

“Your uncle also left you a letter, Miss Jenna.” He revealed, placing a white sealed envelope before me. With trembling fingers, I took the envelope from him and placed it inside my purse, knowing I needed to read it when I was alone and in private. I would not cry and fall apart inside a lawyer’s office. This was something I needed to do in private. Just me.

As I left Larry’s office, my mind was buzzed with a newfound sense of purpose. I was literally carrying my uncle’s legacy and business on my shoulders now. And I would embrace the responsibility that he had entrusted to me. The unexpected tie to Fairview High would be a challenge for me. But it also felt like an obstacle I could take, if I would just set my mind to it. I saw it as a massive middle finger to all those who had wronged me in the past, showing them all that I had survived, that I had come out better and on top. But shit… one thing I knew for sure, was that it wouldn’t be easy…

not easy at all…

especially because of Adam freaking Miller.

The high school’s gym teacher, so I’ve already heard.

With trembling fingers, I searched for my cell phone in my purse as I walked back to my hotel, desperately needing to hear a friendly voice and get some much-needed advice from her.

“Jules?” I spoke into my phone, sighing in relief as I walked back in the direction of my hotel. Knowing now, more than ever, that I desperately needed a real friend on my side.