November Sky (Hardest Mistakes Book 2) by Dannielle Wicks Page A

under her arm, her face turning bright red.
    “Like going through peoples stuff, do you?” she asks sarcastically.
    I ignore her and lean back in the chair. “I thought you were going to work?”
    “No, I rang them and said I had a family emergency. I also told them I’d heard you were sick.” I spin the chair around and look back out the window at the bright day. “I went to your place and got you some clothes so you can have a shower.” Glancing back, I raise an eyebrow at her. “You smell awful, Kristian. Go take a shower. That’s not a request.” She shoves the plastic bag into my arms and takes a step back. I glare at her as I get up and stomp off to the bathroom.
    The shower is a bathtub with a curtain around the outside. I can’t bring myself to look in the mirror, so I strip off and slide under the warm water as quickly as I can, letting it wash away all my aches. I’m nearly dozing when the sound of the door opening startles me. I poke my head around the curtain and frown at Bailey. She smiles sheepishly, her face turning pink as she places a towel on the counter.
    “Sorry, I forgot to give you a clean towel.” She stands there for a moment, and then as if suddenly realizing where she is, she spins around and fumbles with the doorknob to get out.
    The smell wafting from the kitchen when I exit the bathroom has my mouth watering. I sit at the kitchen table and run my fingers through my still damp hair. Bailey glances at me as she stirs something in a pot.
    “How are you feeling?”
    “Better.” Much better, actually. Jess leaving hurts, but being around Bailey is a welcome distraction, although I’d never admit that to her out loud.
    “So, tomorrow do you want to head over to your apartment and start cleaning up?”
    “Sorry?” I’m a little confused. I hadn’t really thought about the state my apartment.
    “Krissy, your place is a mess. I don’t know how it’s possible, but everything is completely destroyed. I’m not sure if there’s a single piece of furniture not ruined,” Bailey says as she reaches on her tippy toes to grab some plates from the cupboard. She sets them down, then starts dishing out the food.
    “I guess. Please stop calling me that, my name is Kristian.”
    She places the plate down in front of me and looks at her creation proudly, purposely ignoring what I just said. I tilt my head and stare down at the food, dubious. The pasta is a funny color and the mince doesn’t look like it has any sauce.
    She huffs at me. “Oh, don’t be a baby. Try it.” Sitting down across from me, she shovels a forkful into her mouth. I hesitantly lift some mince on my fork and place it in my mouth. Almost right away the flavor hits me and I groan at the amazing taste. I didn’t realize how hungry I actually was, and now that I’ve put food in my mouth, I can’t stop. Before long my plate is empty and practically licked clean.
    I look over at a smug Bailey.
    “It was good, wasn’t it?”
    I nod and push the plate away. “Thank you for everything. I’m glad you came looking for me.” I glance away, feeling like a weakling for admitting I need help.
    “What are friends for?” Bailey says simply, standing and taking our dishes to the sink. I get up to help her wash them, but she pushes me away.
     
    ***
     
    I pause in the doorway of my apartment and look around at the destruction. Everything I ever owned is gone. I reach into my pocket and subconsciously finger Jess’s silver bracelet, I miss her so much.
    Bailey stops beside me and gives me a sympathetic look.
    “Come on, let’s get started.” She touches my arm gently and walks into the kitchen.
    I scrape a pile of broken glass from the TV into a dustpan. This is one of the most depressing things I’ve ever done. I can’t even feel Jess anymore, wherever she is, she’s not close.
    Bailey taps me on the shoulder a little while later. “I think we’re done for today.” She holds out her hand, I grasp it and she helps me