to live for the hope of it all.

Chapter 16

October 6th, 2023

"Kiss full of color, makes me wonder
where you've always been,
I was hiding in doubt 'til you
brought me out of my chrysalis..."

Bailey

I barely slept a wink last night. I'd thought Beckett and I were going to ignore how long we went without really acknowledging each other, but knowing his perspective helped. I understood where he was coming from, but it didn't stop me from wishing things had been different.

It was hard to sleep after having that conversation, especially after finding out he remembered when I made my crush so blatantly obvious in 2nd grade. He didn't directly say it, but I had a feeling he knew.

Then there was the whole Frankenstein controversy, which really just made things worse. What else was there to know about him? There couldn't seriously be anything else I liked about him, right?

Don't even get me started on how he acts with Beau. I didn't think I could be jealous of a dog, but maybe I was a little bit. But it quickly diffused when Beau was stapled to my side last night.

Grandpa Matt had teased me when I got home, but I could tell he was happy that Beckett and I were friends.

That leads me to now. I'm finishing up my hair when I hear a knock on my bedroom door.

"Come in!" I shout.

"Good morning, Bay. You look nice," my grandfather says.

"Thank you," I smiled, putting the last pin in my hair and turning to him. "Everything okay?"

"Yup, just wanted to see you before I left. Still nothing from Harlow?" He asked. I shook my head, and he gave me a sad smile before hugging me.

That's another reason I hadn't slept much last night. Wren had texted me when she got home, and was supposed to let me know about going to today's game after she talked to her parents. It worried me that I hadn't heard from her yet, especially after I called her twice this morning. I knew she'd be at school, she never missed a day, but I was still worried about her. Her parents had been extra tough on her lately, and I could tell she felt more suffocated than usual, despite them loosening the reins on her social life.

"She'll be alright, Bay," Grandpa Matt promised.

"She always is," I said sadly.

I wish Wren didn't feel like she had to hold it in all the time, that we were here for her too. But my best friend had a habit of holding things in until they crushed her, which oftentimes were in private.

"Get to school, alright? Let me know what she says."

"I will, I love you."

"Love you too, Bay," he said, heading downstairs.

Sighing, I took one last look in the mirror before grabbing my backpack and heading downstairs. It was almost time to meet Beckett, and though I was excited to see him, I was also anxious to get to school and check on Wren. I locked the front door before going to wait by Beckett's truck.

"Bailey!" Delilah shouted, running out from the front door and into my legs.

"Hey Lilah," I said, smiling. "You look excited."

"Oh I am! It's Friday, and we're going to Bubba's game later. Mom said I have to stay up later since it's farther away!" She said, excitedly.

"Well, I for one am looking forward to seeing you drive your mom crazy," I laughed.