It had been a week since the game and Caitlin inviting her sister over for dinner. Bailey had yet to let her sister know when she was free and somehow managed to avoid phone calls and facetimes too. Caitlin really knew something was wrong at this point, but didn't understand why Bailey was hiding it. She started to get irritated about it, but every time Katie tried to get her to talk about her feelings Caitlin would shut down.
Katie decided to take things into her own hands at this point because she was tired of Caitlin being so down all of the time and it really seemed like Bailey needed help too. Bailey's apartment was about 2 miles away from Caitlin and Katie's place, so on an off day when Caitlin decided to go visit her fellow Aussie friends, Katie decided to go on a run and head right toward Bailey's. She already had the perfect excuse to check up on her. I was on a run and really need to use the bathroom, can I just come in real quick? Yep, that will work perfect Katie thought to herself as she jogged down the street.
When Katie finally got to Bailey's place she saw Bailey's boyfriend, Ryan, and best friend, Ellie, carrying a few boxes into Ryan's truck. She knew Ryan lived with Bailey for almost a year now after having dated for about a year before that. And Ellie and her had become really close almost immediately after Bailey had moved to London. Katie and Caitlin had hung out with Bailey, Ryan, and Ellie quite frequently especially on Friday nights. Caitlin had once told her that she didn't think Ryan was anything special, but Bailey was in love with him, so she didn't say anything.
Katie observed from halfway down the street. It looked like he was moving out, but that can't be? They were happy together and if they had broken up surely Ellie wouldn't be helping him, but would be Bailey instead. It wasn't until she finally saw Bailey appear at the front door. She didn't say a word, just stuck her hand out as if she was waiting for something to be handed to her. She then saw Ellie hand something to Ryan who also reached into his pocket and removed a key from his keyring. He handed both keys to Bailey who immediately turned around and slammed the door in their faces. But what really surprised Katie was what she saw happen next. Ryan swung his arm around Ellie's shoulders, brought her in and kissed her forehead and then lead them back to his truck. They got in and drove away without a second thought.
Oh you have got to be kidding me. Katie thought to herself, but quickly turned her attention back to Bailey's place as the door swung open again and Bailey came out in a running outfit and headphones on. Before the door even shut again she was off in a full sprint. Something in Katie urged her to follow after her. And so she did and for the professional athlete that she was she was struggling to keep up with how fast Bailey was running. That was until she saw Bailey's knee give out and her collapse to the ground. She heard the cry that Bailey let out from the pain of her knee and quickly hurried up to help her. Bailey still had her headphones on and didn't know anyone was following her, so Katie tried not to scare her. She moved around to the front so Bailey could see her coming and saw that she was having a panic attack. One of Katie's younger sisters got panic attacks when she was younger so she knew what to do.
Katie slowly sat in front of her and slid her headphones off which snapped Bailey out of her trance as she realized someone else was there. Katie grabbed Bailey's hands and put one on her heart and one on her own.
"Follow my breathing Bales. Okay we are going to take one big breath in and let it out slowly. And then repeat 5 times."
As Katie led Bailey through the breathing exercises she slowly started to calm down. "Are you okay? I saw you take a bit of a tumble?"
"My freakin knee gave out again. I'm so sick of not being able to go running. I just didn't care at the moment. I needed to get out of my house. What are you doing here anyway?"
"I uh was on a run too and saw you was going to try and catch up but you were flying."
"Yeah well I used to be a lot faster than that."
"Listen why don't you let me help you get back to our place. Caitlin is out for most of the day, but I can order some take away and we can hang out."
"Its fine Katie, thanks but Ill just head back."
"Bailey it wasn't really a question. I think I know what has been bothering you and I'm here if you want to talk, but you are coming back to our place okay. Caitlin has been miserable all week because you are ignoring her and she knows something is wrong."
"Wait Caitlin has been having a bad week because of me?"
"Yeah she has barely smiled at all. I don't know what to do to make her happy."
"Fine I'll go with you." Bailey said in a whisper.
Katie helped her limp back to their house and immediately got her an ice pack and put her on the couch to elevate her leg.
"Thanks Katie. Sorry I'm such a burden."
"You aren't a burden at all what are you talking about?"
"Nothing nothing just forget it."
"Bailey if there is something on your mind you can talk to me about it. Don't hold it in like your sister does."
"She only does that when its about me or our parents."
"Yeah I know. I hope one day she feels comfortable enough to open up to me about it. I just want to help her. It hurts me to see her so upset. And I really want to help you right now too."
For some reason, hearing Katie say that was what made Bailey reach her breaking point and she immediately started sobbing. Katie sat on the side of the couch and brought Bailey into a long hug. The words just started to flow after that as Bailey told her whole story to Katie.
"About a week in a half ago I came home early from work because I had a meeting get cancelled. I walked in a saw Ellie's shoes there which wasn't that unusual I mean sometimes she would come over to borrow a shirt or something. I gave her a key for a reason. Anyways I heard something in the bedroom so I made my way up there only to see Ryan and Ellie have sex. In my bed. My boyfriend and best friend. So cliche its unreal. Anyways I'll skip all the yelling and crying I did, but anyways it turns out they've been hooking up for four months. Four months! All of this time I had no idea. They didn't even really apologize and apparently they are together now. And I remain the loser who got cheated on and lost my best friend in the process. I thought I was going to marry him one day. Ellie would have been in my wedding right behind Caitlin as a bridesmaid."
"Bales I'm so sorry. That is so shitty. You don't deserve any of the heartache you are feeling right now. You are so special and one day you'll find someone to treat you like you truly deserve. Can I ask you a question though?"
"Yeah go ahead"
"Why didn't you tell Caitlin? I thought you guys told each other everything."
"Yeah I mean we do, but I didn't want to just throw my problems at her."
"That's literally what sisters are for especially big sisters we are here to deal with your problems."
"Katie I get where you're coming from, but I already threw a big problem at her 7 years ago. I am the reason she had to take time off soccer, she had to sit with me through all of my rehab, she had to deal with all of my mental problems and panic attacks, the reason she doesn't have parents anymore is because of me. I don't need to burden her with something like this. Lots of girls get cheated on doesn't make me special. I don't need her to resent me more than she already does."
Katie was a little shocked, well more than a little.
"Bailey, Caitlin loves you so much there isn't even a sliver of her that could resent you for what happened in your past. And especially when none of it was your fault."
"Yeah well why doesn't she talk about her feelings then! I think its because she doesn't want to admit that deep down she blames me."
"You're right. She doesn't open up, but I can guarantee you its not because of that. You mean the world to her."
The doorbell interrupted their conversation indicating that the takeout had arrived. Katie sighed before getting up to get the door and pay for the food. She knew she wouldn't be getting anything else out of Bailey tonight. They ate their food and put a movie on, neither one talking the rest of the night. Katie noticed that Bailey had fallen asleep at some point and got her a blanket.
After about another 30 minutes Caitlin came home and looked shocked to her see her sister asleep on the couch. The door opening woke Bailey up
"Oh hey Cait."
"Bailey you came over!"
"Your girlfriend made me. Anyways I am going to bed. Can I take the guest room?"
"Yeah of course" Katie said in reply
As Bailey limped away Caitlin had a concerned look on her face, "Is it your knee are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just fell earlier. I'll be fine tomorrow."
"You fell!?"
"Im fine!"
Before Caitlin could follow after her Katie wrapped her up in a hug and kissed her forehead. "Let her sleep okay. She will explain tomorrow, but my mom was right. She needs our help."
"She opened up to you?"
"A little bit yeah, but I don't think its my story to tell. I think I can mention that we should probably go slash Ryan's tires... and Ellie's"
"Oh you've got to be kidding me. I knew he was a douchebag."
"come on, lets go to bed. I want to hear about your day with the girls. And then tomorrow you can talk to Bailey."
"Okay, but Katie."
"yeah?"
"Thank you. For being there for her. I love you."
"I love you too Cait."