Stay

Chapter 4

Callie's POV:

"Mariana, Callie!" Stef shouts from downstairs, "hurry up! We are all waiting for you!"

Of course I wasn't the one we were waiting for. I just had to get into the bathroom and brush my teeth. But Mariana, on the other hand, was doing her makeup.

Finally, the door opens, and Mariana walks out, all dolled up. "You know we're just going to a local festival, right?" I ask laughing.

"I never leave the house without my face on." She says before walking off into our room to grab her shoes.

I quickly brush my teeth and look in the mirror at myself. Just plain old me: with my messy, curly, dark brown hair, my dark brown eyes, and my plaid button down with jean shorts and converse.

I look down at the pink makeup bag sitting on the counter. I open it up and pick up mascara. 'I've never worn makeup before but what's the harm in doing it for fun?' I ask myself.

After putting on mascara, I quietly walk downstairs and Stef shouts "okay everybody! Let's get in the car, now that we are all finally ready" she glares at me playfully and then gives me a quick wink.

"Oh my god!" Mariana squeals as we walk to the car. "You're wearing mascara aren't you?!"

"Yeah, so?"

"Who you trying to impress?" She asks me with a smirk on her face.

I laugh at her as we pile into the car. Then I ask myself the same question: who am I trying to impress? 'No one, I'm not trying to impress anyone' I tell myself. But I'm not sure if I believe it

•••

As soon as we pull up to to the festival, I can tell right away what kind it is. There's a mariachi band and people dressed in Mexican clothing.

"Okay guys, what should we do first?" Stef asks. But we had already all gone our separate ways. Jude and Brandon went to go see the music, Jesus went to check out the Mexican food, and I went with Mariana to get her face painted.

"What should I get painted on my face?" Mariana asks me, but I wasn't listening. I looked over and saw a book stand.

I slowly walk over to it and pick up one of the books. It looks like a collection of Mexican legends.

"That will be $8" the owner of the stand said.

I reach into my pocket and realize I don't have any money. Disappointed, I put the book back. Then I see Brandon.

"Hey" I say, joining him as we watch the mariachi band.

"Hi" he says back without even taking his eye off the band.

"Where's Jude?" I ask.

He looks at me with a worried look, "he said he was going to hang out with you"

"He never came over to me" I said trying not to freak out.

"It's okay. He probably just got lost" Brandon says trying to reassure me.

We both look around, trying to see if we can spot Jude, when I see a familiar face in the crowd watching me. Liam.