Craving My Brother's Best Friend (Bailey and Kaleb) novel Chapter 43

**The Night We Borrowed Fire from a Broken Star by Selvin Arlo Crest**
**Chapter 43**

**Kaleb’s POV**

As I stepped into the bustling school hall, I clutched the largest bouquet of flowers I could find, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the nervous energy swirling around me. Each bloom felt heavy in my grasp, but the weight of the flowers was nothing compared to the anticipation thrumming through my veins. Today was Bailey’s moment—her manifesto reading, a culmination of her hard work and dedication. I had no idea whether she would accept my gesture, but I couldn’t let this day pass without being there for her.

The rows of seats were filled with students, their chatter echoing off the walls, while teachers occupied the front rows, their expressions a mix of pride and expectation. Brightly colored posters of the candidates adorned the walls, each one vying for attention, but my focus remained solely on Bailey.

A large clock loomed above the stage, its hands ticking down the minutes, and I noted with a slight pang of anxiety that we had thirty minutes until the program began. I scanned the crowd, my heart racing as I searched for her familiar face, but she was nowhere to be found.

My gaze fell upon Ethan, who sat isolated in a corner, his leg bouncing restlessly—a clear sign of his own unease. I made my way over to him, urgency propelling my steps.

“Where’s Bailey?” I inquired, my voice laced with concern.

He looked up, his expression tight and anxious. “I don’t know. I thought maybe she was with you!”

I shook my head, a knot of worry tightening in my stomach. “She’s not.”

Before we could delve deeper into our conversation, Selena approached us, clutching a notebook to her chest, her brow furrowed with worry.

“You’ve seen Bailey, right?” she asked, her voice quick and breathless. “I haven’t spotted her all day.”

We exchanged glances, a silent understanding of our shared concern passing between us.

“Let’s call her,” I suggested, my heart racing as I pulled out my phone.

We all fished out our devices, and I dialed her number, pressing the phone to my ear with a growing sense of dread. The call went straight to voicemail, the mechanical voice sending a chill down my spine.

“She turned off her phone?” Selena murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

“No,” I replied with conviction. “Bailey wouldn’t do that, not today of all days.” I knew her too well; she had poured her heart and soul into this moment.

She had warned me not to interfere when I offered to help, and her seriousness about this manifesto was evident.

Just then, David burst into the hall, his eyes darting around the room like a hawk searching for prey. “Where’s Bailey?” he demanded. “Don’t tell me she’s late!”

“She’s not here,” Ethan replied, his voice tinged with frustration.

David’s frown deepened, confusion etched on his features. “What do you mean she’s not here? This is her…!”

“Her phone’s off,” Selena added softly, her voice trembling slightly.

David cursed under his breath, his worry palpable. “She wouldn’t miss this. Something must be wrong.”

I couldn’t remain idle any longer. Without a second thought, I turned on my heel and hurried out of the hall, my heart pounding in my chest.

I dialed and texted, desperately trying to reach her, but the silence on the other end was deafening. I scoured the library, the courtyard, and even the cafeteria, but no one had seen her. My palms began to sweat, anxiety clawing at my insides.

Then, I spotted Paige and Denise near the science hall, their whispers barely audible over the din of the students. They stood close together, Paige’s lips moving rapidly, a sly smile playing on her face. Denise, however, looked pale and anxious, her fingers twisting nervously.

Paige caught sight of me first; her smile faltered for just a moment before returning, sharper and more smug than before. She leaned in to whisper something to Denise before striding away with a confident swing of her bag.

I approached slowly, my heart racing as I greeted Denise. “Hello, Denise.”

She jumped slightly, turning to face me with wide eyes. “Hi, Kaleb.”

Her demeanor suggested she felt cornered, as if she had been caught in a lie. She attempted to step back, but I moved in front of her, blocking her escape.

“Where is Bailey?” I demanded, my voice steady but urgent.

Denise’s gaze dropped to the floor, her lips trembling. “I don’t know.”

The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut, the words echoing in my mind.

“What?” I exclaimed, disbelief flooding my voice.

She fumbled in her pocket, retrieving a small key that trembled in her hand. “Here; it’s the key. I thought maybe she’d get out by morning. I didn’t think it would go this far.”

I snatched the key from her, a curse escaping my lips as I bolted towards the back door. I jammed the key into the lock and twisted it, the door creaking open to reveal a dimly lit room filled with the musty smell of dust and paint.

In the corner, I spotted Bailey, curled up with her knees drawn to her chest. Papers lay scattered around her, a chaotic testament to her efforts. Her hair was disheveled, and her eyes were red and swollen, a clear indication of her distress.

“Kaleb?” she whispered, her voice hoarse and fragile.

I dropped to my knees, pulling her into my arms as she clung to me, her body shaking with sobs. “They locked me in,” she cried, her voice breaking. “All night. I screamed, but no one came.”

“Shh,” I soothed, holding her tighter against me. “I’m here now. You’re safe.”

She buried her face in my chest, and I gently stroked her hair, whispering reassurances. “I found you. You’re okay.”

Her fingers clutched at my shirt, panic still evident in her eyes. “I’m late; I missed it. They’ll disqualify me.”

“No,” I said, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. “Listen to me, you are not late. You still have time. You’re going to walk in there, read your manifesto, and you’re going to crush it.”

She shook her head, doubt clouding her features. “I can’t.”

“Yes, you can,” I insisted, my resolve firm as I helped her to her feet.

She looked at me, uncertainty flickering in her eyes, but slowly, she nodded.

“Okay,” she whispered, a glimmer of determination beginning to shine through her fear.