35

Bailey's pov

I power off my phone and place it back on the nightstand. I am

determined to not fall for his tricks again.

I took a warm shower and changed into my pajamas. Tucking under the

covers, my door suddenly creak open. The light from the hallway creep

into my dark room.

" Are you asleep Bailey?" Lilian asked as she stepped into the room.

I sat up, lifting the covers and silently telling her to get in. " No."

Lilian rushes over to me, fitting herself under the covers with a giggle. I

moved closer to her and we both stayed under the covers, peering up

at the ceiling.

My gaze was lost on the ceiling but my mind wandered off, thinking

about Kaleb and Juliet. Now that she was back, what would happen

now?

I can vaguely remember her, we never really talked much. She acted

sweet in front of everyone but her true colors always showed when she

was alone with me. Juliet was a big bully and always flaunted herself

like she was better than everyone.

Kaleb was head over heels in love with her and never noticed her vile

side. I wondered if she was the same?

I bet she got even more beautiful.

"Is it true?" Lilian suddenly whispered, pulling my attention away from

my thoughts.

I twisted my head to her. I couldn't exactly see her because the room

was dark, but I knew she was close. Her smaller figure was curled

beside me.

We usually had sleepovers when we found it a bit hard to sleep.

"Is what true?" I whispered into the night.

"I overheard dad speaking to mom. He said he thinks you found the

one."

My heart lodges in my throat and I swallow, clenching my eyes tightly

as I felt horrified. I sat up, turning to face her fully even though I could

not see her.

" What are you talking about?"

Lilian's voice softened. " Dad told mom that you may have someone

you're in love with.”

Her words made me stammer, my eyes widening as my faced heated

with an embarrassed flush. Thankfully Lillian couldn't see my stained

cheeks. I'm so mortified. Why would dad tell mom this!?

Was it our conversation in the car? Was it that obvious?

My heart pounds and I groan, throwing my head on the mattress,

grunting in shame. Dad just humiliated me, now mom will not stop until

she finds out.

" So is it true Aile? Are you in love with some guy?" She whispered into

the night, her voice so soft it was barely audible.

I freeze, raking her question through my head. Why can't I say no?

Why am I even thinking about this?

I huffed, turning around and staring at the ceiling blankly before I

respond in a quiet tone. " I don't know." I admitted.

What is love? Dad told me how he felt about mom, he told me how his

heart beat every time she was near.

My heart would always beat when Kaleb was near but I had thought it

was because of rage then. But now, I am starting to believe it is

something entirely different.

However, I can't be in love with Kaleb can I? The guy infuriates me and

we always argued. He couldn't be trusted and could never stick to one

girl for too long. Hoping for his affection is like waiting for rain in the

drought. Pointless, painful and disappointing.

I turn my head to Lilian, imagining that our eyes were leveled as I

whispered. " It's to early to tell.”

Lilian is quiet as she curled herself closer to me. * If you do fall in love

with someone, will you still love me more than you do them?" She

clung to me as though she would lose me.

My heart clenches. " I love you more than life Lilian, of course I would

love you more than I love any guy.”

I hugged her, hearing her sigh in relief. I brushed my hand down her

head, my heart aching when I touch scalp and not her pretty hair. The

chemo treatment made her lose all her shiny hair.

Lilian was diagnosed with stage three cancer about seven months ago.

Dad and mom tried their best to get her the best doctor. For months

they searched until finally they got one. He was a kind man and gave

us hope that we would not lose the little light in our family.

The doctor's said the chemo worked and now she was cancer free. It's

been two months since she has been discharged from the hospital after

ringing that bell. I can remember that day clearly, Bash was there too.

We all cried as her bony little fingers clung to the rope, yet the bright

smile on her face never faded as she looked at us like she was a super

hero. She was. She was to us.

Mom and dad wanted to homeschool her but Lilian loved public school,

especially her friends. Lilian didn't want to be treated as a fragile doll

anyway so they agreed to let her continue public school.

She beat cancer's ass anyway, so there was nothing to fear.

" Forever?" She whispered the same words dad and mom told us after

uttering the words I love you.

I nod, kissing her head, blinking back tears as I recall a time I lost hope

my sister would live. But here she was, in my arms. How could I not

love her more than my own life?

" Always and forever Lily."