Smile, Beautiful

Part 11

**** 1 WEEK LATER- BACK IN FAYETTEVILLE****

Bailey returned home with us, and has spent the whole week catching up with me.

"Hey, I'm going out with RaeAnne and Austin tonight. You coming?" She asks me.

"Sure, where are you going?"

"Out to eat Chinese."

Bailey is so quiet, I have to lean in to hear her.

"Well, yes! Than I am going!"

She laughs loudly.

"Okay, I'll be back."

I watch her walk to the bathroom, and close the door behind her.

~~~~ AT THE RESTAURANT

Bailey and I pull up, and see RaeAnne and Austin by the door.

She greets them, and we all get our plates of food.

I follow Bailey back to the table, and I hear a loud clatter.

Her plate is on the floor, and her hand is shaking.

Brandon is standing in front of her, his eyes locked on hers.

"Uh, h-hi." Bailey stumbles.

"Bailey, how nice to see you. Why don't you come sit with us? It looks like you don't have a date, anyways!" Brandon says loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Uh, actually, she's with me."

I step in front of her, and squeeze her hand for reassurance.

"Oh, look who it is! Brooks the girlfriend stealer."

RaeAnne has Bailey by the hand, pulling her away from the scene.

I watch them walk out of the building, Austin coming towards me.

"Brandon, you have no right to say that! Brooks didn't steal Bailey from you. She loves him. And that's why she broke up with you." Austin steps into the middle of this.

"Yeah, and, actually, I'm madly in love with her. And if you have a problem with that, than maybe you should get a life."

I walk out of the restaurant with Austin behind me, and get back into my truck.

Bailey has her head buried into her hands, and is shaking badly.

"Hey...." I touch her shoulder.

"No, don't touch me." Her voice is small, way quieter than usual. "This was all just a big mistake. I'm sorry that I caused you that. And, you deserve someone better than me. I'm sorry, it's over."

Bailey pushes open the door, and begins the walk back home.