to live for the hope of it all.

Chapter 42

December 17th, 2023

"I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong..."

Bailey

Wren had been asleep when I came in Friday night, and gone the next morning when I woke up, so I hadn't had a chance to talk to her.

We agreed weeks ago that she would be staying the night tonight since we were leaving early in the morning, but she hadn't answered my calls or messages.

So you can imagine the relief I felt when I came downstairs after hearing the door open, and saw my best friend standing in the doorway as she dragged in a large suitcase and a big duffel bag, a backpack on her shoulders.

I froze on the stairs, analyzing her. She seemed well rested, and not at all how she looked after the party on Friday. She looked up then, catching my eyes.

"Hey," she said hesitantly.

"Hey."

She watched me for a moment, almost as if she was waiting for me to get angry with her.

We've never been angry at each other.

"She's your best friend, anyone with two eyes can see that you're her favorite person on this planet. She'll come to you eventually."

Beckett's words rang in my mind, and I swallowed the bitterness I was feeling before I took the last steps in front of me and hugged Wren. She buried her face in my shoulder and let out a breath of relief.

Don't push her on it, Bailey.

"I won't ask again," I started. "But I love you, and I am here."

"I love you too," she said into my shoulder. "And I am really excited to go on vacation with you."

"3 weeks in the mountains," I laughed, pulling back and grabbing her duffel bag from the floor. "I can't wait."

"Where's Oliver?" She asked, moving her suitcase to the side of the doorway.

"He just left to go pick up dinner not too long ago," I said. "He hasn't shut up about the road-trip part of this trip. Be expecting all sorts of car games."

She laughed as we walked into the open area near the dining room, bringing her backpack with her.

"Looking forward to it. I got an email confirmation this morning saying that they received our roommate request and it's been approved," she beamed, and then pointed to the piano in the corner of the room. "Serenade me while I finish up my last dual credit essay of the semester?"

"You got it," I smiled. "Any requests?"

"Adele, always," she laughed and I got to work trying different keys to find the right notes for "Make You Feel My Love." I beamed when after 20 minutes, I found all the right keys, and started playing.

Wren hummed along quietly where she worked on the floor in front of me, and then she sang softly, and my smile widened. She didn't do it often, but sometimes she did it without even realizing.

Wren had a beautiful voice, and I loved when she got so caught up in a moment that she just gave in to it subconsciously.

I know that you haven't made your mind up yet
But I will never do you wrong

I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong

She closed her laptop then, and I looked up to meet her eyes as I kept playing. She smiled softly and continued singing as I scooted over on the bench.