Craving My Brother's Best Friend (Bailey and Kaleb) novel Chapter 44

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

**Chapter 44**

**Bailey’s POV**

The atmosphere in the school hall was electric, a mix of excitement and anxiety swirling around me like a storm. My heart raced in my chest, pounding so loudly I feared it might escape its confines.

The moment we had all been waiting for was finally upon us—the election results were about to be revealed.

As the principal took the microphone, the room fell into a hushed silence, anticipation hanging thick in the air. One by one, he began to announce the names of the winners for various positions, each declaration met with a chorus of cheers or groans.

My palms were slick with sweat, my legs felt like jelly, and the tightness in my chest made it hard to breathe.

“Financial Secretary…” the principal’s voice resonated, echoing off the walls. Every ear was strained to catch the next name. “Bailey!”

In that instant, the world around me froze. My name rang out, a melody I couldn’t quite grasp.

“I won!” I shouted, the words escaping my lips before I could process them. My gaze darted to Selena, who was practically vibrating with excitement.

She leaped towards me, her arms wrapping tightly around my neck as I held her, my eyes brimming with tears of joy.

“You did it,” she whispered, her pride palpable.

“I won,” I repeated, my voice quivering, the reality settling in.

Relief washed over me as I scanned the crowd, witnessing the applause and cheers enveloping me.

Paige and Lila’s minion shot me daggers with their eyes, but their disdain felt insignificant in the glow of my victory. Kaleb approached, pulling me into a warm embrace, and I shot him a grateful look. Without him, none of this would have been possible.

As the ceremony concluded, I stepped out of the hall, Selena by my side, with my brother David trailing behind. Kaleb walked closely, a comforting presence amidst the whirlwind of emotions.

The world outside felt different, brighter somehow. The sunlight bathed us in warmth, but it was the warmth in my heart that truly lit up my spirit.

Then, I spotted Denise.

She lingered by the door, her complexion pale and her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

The moment our gazes locked, she sprinted toward me, desperation etched on her face.

“Bailey!” she cried, her voice choked with emotion. “I’m sorry… please, I’m so sorry for everything.”

Before I could muster a response, Selena stepped forward, a fierce protector.

“Don’t you dare come close,” she snapped, her tone icy.

“You don’t get to talk to her after what you did,” she added, her fists clenched tightly, ready to defend me.

I quickly grasped Selena’s arm, urging her to back down. “Selena, please. Let me handle this.”

Reluctantly, she stepped back, her expression still fierce, but I could see the tension in her shoulders.

Turning to Denise, I felt a calmness wash over me, allowing me to speak.

“Listen to me carefully. I won’t report you to the school authorities for what you and Paige did. I won’t escalate this any further.”

Denise swallowed hard, her guilt evident as it flickered across her features.

“But,” I continued, my voice steady, “you need to stay away from me. Don’t approach me again. Don’t even think about apologizing, because we are done—forever. And just so you know, I was never dating Kaleb.”

Her lips quivered as she processed my words. “I regret it, Bailey. I swear I regret it.”

“I don’t care,” I replied, my voice cold and unyielding. “Regret won’t undo the damage you’ve caused. Just stay out of my life.”

With that, I turned on my heel, striding away with Selena and David, not daring to glance back.

Later that evening, I returned to my apartment, the familiar yet distant space feeling strange after my time away.

The air was stale, carrying the scent of dust and neglect. The curtains hung closed, the floor was coated in a fine layer of dust, and the table was cluttered with the remnants of my life—books and papers strewn about haphazardly.

David entered behind me, wrinkling his nose in disapproval.

“Why does your apartment look like it hasn’t been lived in for months? Bailey, you’re not the messy type,” he remarked, his voice tinged with concern.

“Have you been so busy that you didn’t even have a moment to tidy up?”

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