Bailey woke with a gasp, her lungs heaving in short gulps of air as she sprung up from her bed. It was pitch black in her room, the night sky still dazzling bright with stars outside her window. It was another nightmare…the events of her mothers death playing over and over, the funeral becoming foggier and foggier with every dream. She was so afraid of one day forgetting, it was becoming harder and harder to remember her mother's face after having a nightmare… the face in the dream was blurred, the only thing clear being her scream. Sweat dribbled down her temples as her wide eyes scanned the room, falling on the bag she had packed the night of her mothers death, an idea sprung to mind.
Bailey tip-toed out of bed, sneaking over to the rucksack, rummaging around and grasping the grey elephant and the brown leather journal. She placed both on her bed before finding a pen from her school bag and tiptoeing back under the covers, grasping the torch she had hidden under her pillow, she threw the covers over her head as she lied on her stomach and switched on the torch.
The pages felt soft between her fingertips, turning them over gently as she read entries from Derek and herself, sometimes when they had had a really good day Bailey would let Derek write in her diary about it, scribbling around polaroid photos that had been stuck in of the two of them and the rest of the Hales.
She came across a photo of herself a few years back, the picture was taken in a large field when the Hales and Jessica and Bailey sat on picnic blankets. Derek's uncles and aunties were there too, Elena and Marcus and their child Nina who was three at the time. Elena is Talia's younger sister who, of course, lives with them still…it's like that here. No matter if they have families of their own, the large house is a place for them all, Including Talia's younger Brother Joshua who was the second youngest, the youngest being Peter. Joshua was nineteen in the photo, lifting up and spinning around a five-year old Bailey who was giggling with long red hair flying everywhere. She smiled at the photo, seeing the older generation and the younger generation of Hales together, all having a great time. Derek and Michael, Derek's older brother or Mikey as everyone called him, were playing around with a basket ball as Peter tried to teach them the rules. Laura was sat on the picnic blanket with Talia, Elena and Jessica, taking out food from the basket and passing it around while Marcus, Elena's husband, is seen near the edge of the photo playing with Cora and Nina, chasing them as they screamed in delight.
Bailey loved this photo, by far one of her favourites, she remembered the day like it was yesterday, nana-Hale coming down for the weekend to visit and deciding they all needed some fresh air. Talia's mother could be quite a scary old lady but she was also the sweetest and most kind, she was there to capture this photo on her old camera, giving it to Bailey as a present for her upcoming birthday, telling her to keep it safe. The photo had been tied in from the edges, turning like a page itself Bailey noticed the scratched writing on the back.
So that you remember, you will always be a part of this family
xxx Love Nana xxx
Bailey beamed at the message, always serving as a reminder of the family she had always had and would always have. Skipping through the next few pages she found a fresh one and scribbled down the event of the past few weeks. From her mother's death, to the funeral to her nightmares and most of all, how much she loved the Hales…how much she loved Derek's siblings, Michael, Laura and Cora. How much she loved his uncles and aunties like they were her own…because they were, Peter, Elena, Joshua and Markus, they all treated her no different to Derek and thats what counted. Especially with Anthony and Talia, Derek's parents, who treated Bailey as their own since she could remember, how she had always thought of them as her parents, how the only things that she could ask for was her mother by blood. But she knew she couldn't have that and that it was time to accept it, to let go and to not take advantage of what she has now like she did with her own mother. And lastly, she said how much she loved Derek…how she's so glad that she has a best friend like him, that no matter what she'll always be with him, until they're old they'll be best friends. She writes that she loves him.
It had been three weeks since the funeral, Bailey was still distant though she seemed more like herself day by day, she was only close to Michael and Talia. Even though Michael was Derek's older brother at the age of fifteen and Bailey was seven…there had been a special relationship between the two of them growing up…not as strong as Derek and herself but there was something different there, Michael and Bailey held an unspoken bond of brother and sister like no other. Michael had baby-sitted Bailey and Derek when they were younger and had often been there for Bailey when things weren't great at, Bailey had always been the kindest to Michael…after Derek.
Within these three weeks, Bailey had learnt a great deal…from what the Hales were, to why they hadn't told her and everything in between. But Talia had also spoken honestly of Jessica… "you're too young to understand fully the conversation, but one day…I promise I'll tell you all about what you and you're mother are. You're kind are especially rare and extremely powerful…which is why it must be a secret. One day you will know but not today." Bailey had frowned at that, she was something too? If she wasn't a werewolf what could she be?
Bailey hadn't spoken to Derek in those three weeks. She didn't know what to say to him, it wasn't that she blamed him…she was just trying to get over the pain she felt.
But one day, when Derek and herself were walking to school in the morning, complete silence between them as it had been since the incident on the road, she reached out her hand to his, gently holding it as they walked. In the corner of her eye she saw Derek's head snap towards hers, shock colouring his features as he squeezed back, she looked over at him, sending a tentative smile before looking forward again. It carried on like this the next few days, slowly they started talking to each other, Derek knew she needed time, knew now that she didn't hate him, wasn't afraid of him and most of all, didn't blame him and to Derek, that was all he could ask for.
It was a few weeks after though, when all whispering in school had stopped and when Alex Meracon came up to Bailey, the bully of their school, the troubled child with a troubled background. It started off with words, saying spiteful things behind her back and spreading rumours, Derek was angered by this more than Bailey but when Alex came up to her face, it was Bailey who snapped.
All the children circled in the playground as Bailey clutched to the straps of her back pack, trying to ignore him, "s'pose you're an orphan kid now huh?", he stepped closer, looking round at the other kids before he continued, "what? Daddy do bad things? My dad always said your mum was weak…just like you." Alex shoved her, it just so happened that he was the son of the current Sheriff and apparently that meant he knew everything.
Bailey kept her head down, she didn't know where Derek was but she wished he would be there right now, "what? Got nothing to say? Bet that family of Hale's are just gonna get rid of you…they'll see it was your fault what happened, my daddy says that…you caused too much problem. Bet you did it…I bet you killed your mum or she was just- just to weak to put up with you-thats what my daddy-"
Bailey's fist flew through the air, coming into contact with Alex's nose, a loud crack sounding through the air as blood spilled from his nose. He didn't have time to recover, Bailey lunging her body at him, tackling him to the ground as she pummelled him with her fists.
That's when Derek found her, he was looking for her around the school when he heard the commotion, saw all the kids circled, he broke through the circle, stunned at what he saw. Bailey throwing fist after fist into Alex's face, her eyes were so angry, just pure rage. Derek ran forward hauling her off as the teachers ran over.
"Bailey! Bailey calm down! I'm here its me!" Derek screamed as he clutched her arms causing her to break out of her daze, her fists stopped hitting his chest as she stared at him before falling forward into his arms.
It was an hour after that that Bailey was sat in the principles office, Talia in the chair beside her as the principle tapped his pencil on the folder lying in front of him.
Talia inspected the man before her, the principle, Melwart as it read on his desk, was a slimy looking man, crooked nose where his cheap, no framed glasses lay. He had bushy eyebrows, almost completing a full mono brow, his pale skin made him look ill as his dull eyes stared like a crow at Bailey.
Talia found it unsettling the way he stared at Bailey, a slight curl of his thin, chapped lips. His eyes continuously roamed over her, watching her hunched form, arms crossed over her chest as she stared at the floor. Talia could feel her blood boiling.
"And what was it that this child…Alex did, to provoke you? Bailey?" Talia asked, turning to her with a stern but cautious tone. She was absolutely baffled, Bailey had never been a violent child, mischievous and sneaky but never violent.
"He said things about my mum." Bailey muffled as she crossed her ams and slouched in the chair.
The principle raised his brow, "and that excuses your behaviour does it?"
Talia turned to the principle with wide eyes, "what did he say?"
"That it was my fault she died…that that's what his dad says…it's my fault, that she was weak and so am I."
Talia turned back to Bailey, struggling to keep her own rage in check, a swell of pride burst through her chest that Bailey had beaten the crap out of this kid.
The principle frowned, "you had no right to use violence as a response Bailey…of all people, I would have thought you'd know this."
Principle Melwart regretted his words immediately, watching as Talia turned her head painfully slow to rest her burning gaze on him , "and what exactly, Principle, is that supposed to mean?"
The principle stuttered in his seat, "n-n- just that-"
"Bailey, please excuse us."
Bailey stood without question, noting the cold tone in Talia's voice and left the room.
"Principle, would you care to elaborate as I'm having a difficult time understanding."
Melwart was visibly sweated in his chair, fumbling with the pencil in his hand, "I-I just meant that, after being brought up in such a respectable house that-"
"Do not. Lie, to me…" Talia was keeping her wolf in check with ease, letting her growl under coat her tone for effect.
Merwant stuttered, "oh come n-now…you know her previous housing was not e-exactly the most pleasant-"
"So…why then," Talia interrupted, slowly rising from her seat and stalking close to his desk, "should that allow you to force judgements of how she behaves. If anything she has more right to lash out than any other child in this school. She's been through a lot Mr Melwart. If there are any other problems and I find that you use things such as her past against her-"
"I-" Melwart shakes as Talia leans over his desk, her hand slowly reaching out towards the pencil in his hand as her face stopped inches from his.
"Then it would be wise to watch yourself." Talia growled, snapping the pencil with one hand.
"I-Is that a threat Mrs Hale?"
"No…It's a warning." and with that she placed the broken pencil in his breast pocket, motioning for Bailey to follow as she strutted out of the room. Bailey couldn't help the shit eating grin on her face as she peeked in the room and saw Melwart almost cry. She walked down the corridor, following closely behind Talia before they passed Derek. He wore a confused expression but shook his head when Bailey shot him a beaming smile. When they got in the car, Bailey and Derek in the back, Talia drove and they didn't dare speak…Bailey didn't have to be a werewolf to feel the anger pouring off the woman. When they parked outside the house, they waited in the car for a few moments as Talia released the steering wheel, letting out a long breath she calmed herself down.
"Im sorry Bailey."
Bailey looked at Derek before looking back towards Talia, "for what?"
"The way I acted in the principles office, I should have been more…professional."
Bailey's mouth dropped, "no way! That was so cool!"
Talia shook her head and barked a laugh while Derek giggled, Bailey promised to fill him in later.
After dinner, Bailey and Derek were in her room, she was finally sorting out where she wanted everything to go but she hadn't figured out the paint she wanted…or maybe wallpaper but this was all going from what Anthony had brought home as samples because apparently he loved interior design and jumped at the opportunity to help Bailey with her new room. Derek sat on her bed as Bailey shuffled around, she stopped suddenly when she picked up a picture frame of herself and her mum, "you know it wasn't that long before mum died that we thought about me moving in here."
Derek stilled, looking up at Bailey. This was the first time she had talked about her mum to him since she died, he didn't say anything, thinking it better to let her continue. She sat down next to him, the frame in her hand, "I always wanted to, to move here…be safe and happy. I didn't expect it to happen like this, mum was always supposed to be here. She was never supposed to die."
Derek shuffled closer to her, wrapping his arms around her, "I miss her Derek…so much, the pain is still there…but its…fading, I can feel myself pushing it away."
She laid down, her back flopping on the bed, "I hate this feeling."
Derek laid next to her, "you've still got me though…right?" Derek tried to help, but he didn't know how, what was he supposed to do.
Bailey turned her head, "always."
She rolled on her side and curled into Derek, "wanna have a sleep over?"
Derek giggled as he wrapped an arm around her, stretching his other one out to the bedside table where the control was, he flipped on the TV and put a pillow behind his head, watching whatever was on while Bailey fell asleep. It wasn't long after that he too was asleep and Laura came in, switching the TV back off and sparing a glance their way, smiling softly as she left the room.
A/N
HEY! So this is the last chapter I've wrote so far but I'm literally gonna start the next chapter in a minute, I'm not sure when I'll finish but hopefully sometime soon to update :) I've got a rough plan of whats happening and I just really hope you're enjoying this. THANK YOU YaoiLovinKitsune for the review! I'm sorry for making you cry haha Hope this chapter made up for it :) And Libbyy413 ….I hope you understand this even though you haven't watched the programme lol :)
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