Day 97

"Hey guys," I said to Zack, London and Woody who were all sat around on the Sky Deck "have any of you seen Bailey?" I hadn't seen Bailey all morning, which was unusual. We usually always meet every morning just to talk and hang out, but so far this morning there had been no sign of her and I was getting a bit worried.

"No," said Woody.

"Nope," said Zack.

"Yup, I have!" declared London, looking as if she was expecting to be presented with a prize for her answer.

"Where is she?" I asked.

"In our room," London said "she's still in bed. She was up all night. Kept me awake too."

"Why was she up all night?" I asked.

"I think she's ill," said London "she was sneezing and sniffing all night. Really distracting."

"Why would she be ill?" I asked, getting somewhat annoyed at London.

"I don't know," London said "I only left the window open to get some fresh air."

"No wonder Bailey got ill," I said "it was freezing cold last night. I'm amazed you didn't get sick."

With a tut of annoyance I headed off to Bailey and London's room. Sometimes London can be so selfish. I know she means well, but occasionally her obsession with herself can cause other people a lot of hardship. She's a good person and is always willing to help out a friend, but her spoiled diva nature sometimes betrays that natural kindness.

- - - - - Later - - - - -

"Bailey," I said from outside her room "are you in there?"

"Cody?" I heard her ask from inside. She sounded awful.

"Yeah, it's me," I said "are you alright?"

"No," she said "London made me catch a cold."

"I heard," I said "can I come in?"

"No, you'll get sick too," said Bailey.

"If I do then there's nothing that can be done to avoid it," I said.

"Then I guess you can come in," Bailey said "but I look awful."

"I don't care," I said and quietly slipped into the room. The room was dark. But I could see Bailey in her bed. I moved over to her. She didn't look her best. She was pale, with flushed cheeks and a thin mist of sweat on her forehead. I sat down next to her bed.

"Hey," I said with a smile.

"Hey Cody," Bailey said weakly "why did you come to see me?"

"I couldn't just sit there while I knew you were here sick," I said "so I'm gonna help you get better."

"You're so sweet," said Bailey "but I don't want you to get sick because of me."

"I don't mind getting sick," I told her "but I can't stand knowing you're ill. Is there anything you need?"

"Not really," Bailey said "I'm a little warm though."

"Say no more," I said. I got up from my seat and went to the bathroom, grabbing a flannel and wetting it with cold water. I went back to Bailey.

"Here you go," I said softly, laying the folded flannel across her forehead. She sighed in visible relief, making me smile slightly. She still managed to fill me with happiness even when she's ill.

"That's so nice," she said "thank you Cody."

"Don't mention it," I said "I'm glad to help." I'd taken care of my mom once when she was ill, so I knew how to do it, and I'd gotten ill as a result, so I knew how bad it was, and I was going to everything I could to help Bailey get better. Because I never wanted to see her ill, or even know she was ill. But now I knew I was determined to help her get better.

"Anything else you need?" I asked.

"Not right now," Bailey said "I just need some sleep."

"Okay," I said "I'll see you when you wake up?"

"You'd better," Bailey said with a small giggle "bye Cody."

"Bye," I said. I got up and crossed to the door as Bailey settled back in bed. With a last glance back at her I left the room.

- - - - - Later - - - - -

"Hey Chef Maggie," I said happily, greeting the main chef of the SS. Tipton as I entered the kitchen.

"Good morning Cody," she replied with a beaming smile "you've come to help me with my dishes as always eh?"

"Not today," I said "I just need some chicken soup. A friend of mine is sick."

"Is it that Bailey girl?" Maggie asked.

"Yeah," I said.

"When are you going to tell her how you feel?" Maggie asked. How did she find out?

"How does everybody know about this?" I asked to nobody and Maggie let out a small laugh.

"It is written all over your face Cody," she said "I am amazed Bailey does not see it."

"Me too," I admitted. I'd tried to hide my feelings for her but in my own mind at least, and I guess in everybody else's, I was being so obvious.

- - - - - Later - - - - -

"Bailey?" I didn't know if she was awake, but I had no place to put down the steaming bowl of soup, and her door was open so I slipped quietly inside. She was still asleep, breathing softly. She looked so peaceful, I didn't want to disturb her. I put the bowl of soup down on her beside table and sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at her with a smile. She still had the flannel on her head. I took it off, careful not to wake her.

I don't know how long I sat there just watching her sleep, but it didn't seem like very long, for me at least, because there was nothing I would rather be doing.

I reached down a hand and gently stroked her hair gently. I remembered my mom used to do this to me when I was ill as a kid and I knew how soothing it could be. Again I don't know how long I was there just gently stroking her hair, but I didn't care. I just wanted to comfort Bailey in any way I could, and I wasn't going to rest until she was better.

Because I love her.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Author Note - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I'm sorry this chapter is so lame, but I need stuff to flesh out the space between here and when it really starts to heat up in terms of the storyline. So I apologise for you having to read that.

Right. I might not be able to update for a few days now, because I'm being dragged to some family get-together thing. Lame! I won't have internet access, but I'll still have my laptop, so whenever I get a spare moment I'll carry on with the next couple of chaptersa nd update this with them all when I get back, so bear with me.

And I promise, on my mother's eventual grave, this is going to get good soon.