"What did I get myself into," Bailey asked herself at the bottom of the stairs.
Austin laughed from next to her but quickly stopped when she glared at him.
"Stay behind me in case I fall," Bailey said and started the ascent.
It was slow, painful, and both young adults were out of breath by the time they got up the four flights.
"Why the hell," Bailey asked catching her breath, "are you out of breath too?"
Austin rubbed the back of his neck, "I was stressed so I held my breath for most of the way up."
Bailey shook her head and lightly blushed.
"Such a worry wort," she said and they laughed.
"Which are you," Austin asked and looked at the apartment building in front of him.
"At the end of the hall," Bailey said and led the way to her home.
Pushing open the unlocked door, Bailey saw the apartment all in boxes, sealed up for transportation.
She carefully walked into the apartment and looked around her. The photos were off of the wall and sitting on the kitchen counters and the cabinets were all empty.
"Oh, hey," Carter said as he walked in the room with a large brown box.
"Did you do all of this," Bailey asked in awe.
Carter shrugged, "Max and Jay helped."
"I'm going to go call their parents and invite the boys out to dinner as a thank you."
"I also called the landlord about the lease and the bakery about you leaving. Margaret said you can transfer your work at the tech company to online so you can keep that job out in California," Carter said.
"You're the best," Bailey said with a smile.
Carter smiled as his sister hobbled out on to the balcony.
Calling out to her, Carter said, "I'll take Austin to your room so he can help you pack your things."
Bailey was already on the phone but she sent her brother a thumbs up as the line rang.
"Come on," Carter said and Austin pushed himself off of the wall.
The two guys walked down the hallway and anticipation built in Austin as they got closer to the room marked with a large lavender B.
"Listen," Carter said as he opened the door, "I'm really grateful that you're helping my sister."
"Yeah, man, of course," Austin said.
"There are some things we need to talk about," Carter said.
"What's that," Austin asked.
"Take a seat," Carter said and Austin pulled the desk chair out and sat down quickly.
Carter sighed, "Bailey is stubborn, she thinks she can do everything, okay and she won't ask for help until it's too late."
Austin nodded, paying attention to the teenager in front of him.
"If she starts watching Mamma Mia nonstop, then either something's wrong or she's on her period. If she's on her period, she needs sour gummy bears and hot chocolate, if not you're going to be going through hell with her."
Austin nodded, "Got it. Mamma Mia equals bad."
"She loves it and it is just about the only movie that's guaranteed to cheer her up. If she's listening to Charlie Puth's See You Again, then she's in a really bad mood and will need a hug even if she pushes you away," Carter explained.
"I've got this, Carter," Austin said with a smile, "don't worry about her."
"Look, Austin," Carter said, "I'm a huge fan and I love your music but I also know your lifestyle. If you hurt my sister, I won't hesitate to hurt you."
Austin smiled at the boy's defensive nature for his sister.
Taking a deep breath, Carter continued, "I never knew my mom and my dad died when I was young, Bailey is all I've ever had and I'm trusting you here."
Austin did his best not to react but took Carter's words to heart.
"I promise," Austin said, "she won't be alone, I'll take care of her."
"Good," Carter said, "now shut up, she's coming."
As Carter said that, Austin could hear the crutches making their way down the hall.
"Good news," Bailey said as she opened the door, "the boys are good to go for dinner and I called the restaurant to get us the back room."
"How much did that cost you," Carter asked with concern.
Bailey glared and tried to smack Carter against the back of the head, but he avoided it easily.
"Del owes me," Bailey explained, "I'm just cashing in on a favor."
"Some favor," Carter said and Bailey threw a pen at his face from her desk.
"Get out of here, dweeb."
Carter laughed and stood up from Bailey's bed.
"I'll go finish packing the kitchen stuff," he announced and left the two young adults in the room by themselves.
"Nice room," Austin said and looked around at the lavender walls and minimalistic black furniture.
"Thanks," Bailey said and collapsed on the bed.
"Is this you," Austin asked and Bailey lifted her head to look at what Austin was pointing at.
It was a picture from her junior year, when she joined the cheerleading team.
She laughed, "Yeah, from when I was in high school."
"Damn, I'm in the presence of a cheerleader," Austin said with a laugh, "high school me wouldn't have been able to say that."
"Where did you go to high school," Bailey asked.
"Grapevine," Austin responded, "how about you?"
"Midtown," Bailey responded and laughed, "we went to rival high schools. It's crazy we didn't know each other."
Austin nodded, "Well, clearly you were cooler than me."
"I mean, I still am," Bailey said and Austin laughed.
"Okay, Ms. Cocky," Austin said and Bailey laughed and sat up.
"Help me pack," Bailey asked and Austin quickly nodded.
"What do you want me to get done," he asked.
Bailey was quick to respond, "My desk but first can you grab the suitcase from the closet?"
Austin nodded and walked to the small closet and pulled the blue suitcase off of the rack.
Walking over to Bailey, he dropped the suitcase off at her feet.
"Thanks Austin," Bailey said and he smiled, "No problem."
The two packed in silence, the padding of the crutches occasionally filling the room with noise.
"I hate packing," Bailey said and Austin turned around to see the girl surrounded by a pile of clothes.
He couldn't help but laugh at the sight and Bailey glared at him, "Hush, I'm not sure what I should take."
Austin walked over and sat down on the other side of the pile, "California's not as cold as Texas so don't worry about bringing winter stuff, if you really need it we can buy you stuff there."
"Why buy it if I own it already," Bailey asked.
"Fine," Austin said, "we'll have Mom and Dad ship it to us if you need it."
"I guess," Bailey sighed and the pair went through her clothes deciding what to bring and what to leave behind.
"I didn't see any underwear, are you trying to tell me something," Austin joked with a smirk on his face.
"Shut up," Bailey said and turned slightly red, "I already packed that stuff."
"Darn," Austin said and stood up, offering his hands to the girl to help her up.
"You're something else," Bailey said and Austin smiled, "I sure am."