ASSIGNED

Chapter 27

She looked...flawless.

She wore a fitted suit and a bow tie, her hair slicked back away from her face. Her neck tattoo was visible above her collar and her arm tattoos peeled out from underneath her rolled up sleeves. She held a small white box in her hands, but I couldn't see what was inside. I could see her gripping the box tightly, her knuckles turning white and her eyes nervously looking around the room. She hadn't seen me yet, and I was debating on whether or not I should make a run for it, slip into the crowd and disappear before she could find me. Before I had made my decision it was already too late, her eyes met mine and her jaw dropped slightly, her eyes widening at the sight of me.

She walked slowly towards me, her steps faltering slightly as she gaged the emotions on my face. My feet were unable to move from where they were positioned, I couldn't have moved even if I tried. Dylan had let go of my hand and slowly backed away with Amanda, not wanting to disturb the moment between Bailey and me. In the crowded room, the only person I could see was Bailey. Even in my state of heartbreak, anger and despair, she was all that mattered.

Time was moving painfully slowly as she made her way to me from across the room. Her eyes never left mine as she walked, her hands continuing to grip tightly to the mysterious box.

Soon enough she had closed the vast space between us, standing only a few feet away. I could see she was internally debating whether to come closer, but she kept her distance, swaying slightly onto her heels and nervously licking her lips before finally speaking.

"Asha..."

"Bailey..." I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

We continued to look at each other, thousands of unsaid words being exchanged between us just by looking into each other's eyes. I couldn't hear the music, I couldn't hear anything. It was as if my mind had shut out everything else, focusing only on what was important. And that...was Bailey.

"Asha...you look...beautiful," she stammered, and I felt my heart flutter at her words before it sank slightly. She's said that before, but then she left...remember?

"Thank you, you look nice too," I said, trying to hide my emotion.

"Asha, I - ," she began, but her words faltered.

Instead of speaking she brought the box up, taking off its lid. Inside the box was a beautiful floral corsage. The flowers were intricate and entwined with beautiful gold ribbon. And the flowers were burgundy, just like my dress.

"How did you...?" I trailed off, looking from the corsage to my dress, and then back up at Bailey.

"Dylan told me what colour your dress was," she explained, and I ripped my gaze from Bailey long enough to turn to Dylan, who gave me a cheesy grin and a thumbs up.

"Why?" I asked incredulously. Why was she doing this?

She didn't reply, she just held her hand out for me to hold. My breath hitched in my throat. I hadn't had any physical contact with Bailey in weeks, and I so desperately wanted to. I reached my hand out hesitantly and she took it gently, sliding the corsage slowly onto my wrist.

"Asha, I'm so sorry..." Bailey said, her voice breaking slightly. She was choking back tears and I felt myself tear up too. I had never seen her cry before.

"Why did you do it Bailey? Why did you leave?" I asked, trying to hold back tears.

"I was scared, Asha. I was fucking terrified. You made me feel things I had never felt in my entire life," she explained, taking my other hand in hers and holding it tightly.