My Bestfriend's Brother Shouldn't Know How I Taste
35

Bailey's pov

I power off my phone and place it back on the nightstand. I amdetermined to not fall for his tricks again.

I took a warm shower and changed into my pajamas. Tucking under thecovers, my door suddenly creak open. The light from the hallway creepinto 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. Imoved closer to her and we both stayed under the covers, peering upat the ceiling.

My gaze was lost on the ceiling but my mind wandered off, thinkingabout Kaleb and Juliet. Now that she was back, what would happennow?

I can vaguely remember her, we never really talked much. She actedsweet in front of everyone but her true colors always showed when shewas alone with me. Juliet was a big bully and always flaunted herselflike she was better than everyone.

Kaleb was head over heels in love with her and never noticed her vileside. I wondered if she was the same?

I bet she got even more beautiful.

"Is it true?" Lilian suddenly whispered, pulling my attention away frommy thoughts.

I twisted my head to her. I couldn't exactly see her because the roomwas dark, but I knew she was close. Her smaller figure was curledbeside 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 theone."

My heart lodges in my throat and I swallow, clenching my eyes tightlyas I felt horrified. I sat up, turning to face her fully even though I couldnot see her.

" What are you talking about?"

Lilian's voice softened. " Dad told mom that you may have someoneyou're in love with.”

Her words made me stammer, my eyes widening as my faced heatedwith an embarrassed flush. Thankfully Lillian couldn't see my stainedcheeks. 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 untilshe replaces out.

" So is it true Aile? Are you in love with some guy?" She whispered intothe 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 Irespond 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 hisheart beat every time she was near.

My heart would always beat when Kaleb was near but I had thought itwas because of rage then. But now, I am starting to believe it issomething entirely different.

However, I can't be in love with Kaleb can I? The guy infuriates me andwe always argued. He couldn't be trusted and could never stick to onegirl for too long. Hoping for his affection is like waiting for rain in thedrought. Pointless, painful and disappointing.

I turn my head to Lilian, imagining that our eyes were leveled as Iwhispered. " It's to early to tell.”

Lilian is quiet as she curled herself closer to me. * If you do fall in lovewith someone, will you still love me more than you do them?" Sheclung to me as though she would lose me.

My heart clenches. " I love you more than life Lilian, of course I wouldlove you more than I love any guy.”

I hugged her, hearing her sigh in relief. I brushed my hand down herhead, my heart aching when I touch scalp and not her pretty hair. Thechemo 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 monthsthey searched until finally they got one. He was a kind man and gaveus 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'sbeen two months since she has been discharged from the hospital afterringing 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 brightsmile on her face never faded as she looked at us like she was a superhero. 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 dollanyway 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 afteruttering the words I love you.

I nod, kissing her head, blinking back tears as I recall a time I lost hopemy sister would live. But here she was, in my arms. How could I notlove her more than my own life?

" Always and forever Lily."