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.”

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