Craving My Brother's Best Friend (Bailey and Kaleb) novel Chapter 42

**The Night We Borrowed Fire from a Broken Star by Selvin Arlo Crest**
**Chapter 42**

**Bailey’s POV**

I had always imagined that the world of school politics would be a mere game of smiles, posters plastered on walls, and spirited debates echoing in the hallways. But as I found myself entrenched in the chaos, I realized just how naive I had been.

The reality was far grimmer than I had anticipated. My meticulously organized notes had vanished more times than I could count. My locker, once a safe haven for my belongings, had been broken into, leaving me feeling violated and exposed. Each morning, I would wake to find threatening messages waiting for me, their harsh words cutting deeper than I cared to admit.

Sometimes, the school tabloid would feature my name in the most ludicrous of headlines: “Bailey wore the same shoes twice in one week!” or “Bailey is three minutes late for class!” It felt like a relentless barrage of mockery aimed squarely at my insecurities.

Yet, amidst this storm, I found solace in Denise. She was my rock, my beacon of light in the murky waters of high school politics. Her talent for transforming negative press into something uplifting was nothing short of miraculous. Without her unwavering support, I often wondered how long I could endure this relentless onslaught.

That particular morning, I received an unexpected summons to my professor’s office. I had already submitted my report via email, but he required a physical copy as well. I had printed one and stashed it in my locker, but when I went to retrieve it, I discovered it had been stolen—another casualty in my ongoing battle with fate.

With a deep breath, I pushed open the door to his office and stepped inside, trying to project an air of calm despite the turmoil churning within me.

“Good morning, Professor,” I greeted him softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

He looked up from his desk, his expression warm as he nodded in acknowledgment. “Bailey. Come in.”

I approached the chair opposite him, my heart racing and palms clammy. I settled into the seat, attempting to mask my anxiety.

“I apologize for the delay in my report,” I began, my voice steadier than I felt. “I sent it by email, but unfortunately, the physical copy was stolen. I just wanted to explain the situation.”

He set his pen down, a small smile breaking across his face. “I understand. I received your email, and I must say, your work was quite impressive.”

A wave of relief washed over me, and I blinked in surprise.

“I also heard about the stolen copy. These unfortunate incidents happen,” he continued, his tone shifting to something more serious. “But Bailey, you mustn’t allow the politics of this school to distract you from your studies. Academics should always come first.”

I nodded vigorously, grateful for his understanding. “Yes, sir. Thank you so much for your support.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied kindly, and I felt a genuine warmth in his words.

As I stood up, gathering my bag, I stepped out of his office with a lighter heart, feeling a little more equipped to face the challenges ahead.

The hallway was unusually quiet as I emerged, the typical buzz of students replaced by an almost eerie stillness. Just then, I spotted Denise hurrying down the corridor, her pace quickened as if she were trying to avoid being seen.

“Denise!” I called out, my voice echoing slightly in the emptiness.

She halted and turned, her eyes widening for a split second before she managed to plaster a smile on her face. “Hey, Bailey,” she replied, though her tone seemed a touch off.

I approached her, curiosity piqued. “What brings you to my department? I didn’t know you had any classes here.”

“Nothing much,” she replied too quickly, her demeanor slightly evasive. “I just came to see someone.”

Her response felt off, but I brushed it aside, attributing it to the stress of the upcoming election.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” she exclaimed suddenly, snapping her fingers as if a light bulb had gone off in her head. “There’s a leadership seminar happening later this evening on campus. I think it could really benefit you for your manifesto tomorrow. You might learn some valuable things.”

My spirits lifted at her words. “Really? That sounds fantastic! What would I do without you, Denise?”

She chuckled softly, but there was an undercurrent of something I couldn’t quite place. “Don’t thank me just yet,” she said cryptically.

“I’ll try not to,” I replied, a smile creeping onto my face as I watched her wave goodbye and walk away. Denise always had a knack for coming through for me, and I appreciated her more than she knew.

Later that day, I dressed simply yet neatly, determined to make the most of the seminar. Armed with my notes for the manifesto, I returned to campus, my mind racing with anticipation.

As I arrived at the hall, I caught sight of Denise waiting for me by the steps.

“Bailey, over here!” she called, waving enthusiastically.

I made my way toward her, but before I could utter a word, I noticed Paige approaching from the opposite direction.

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