Begin Again

Chapter 3: Problem

Morning came quite fast. The sun was beaming into the dusty motel curtains, signaling Callie and Brandon's need to wake up and get moving. Brandon was asleep on his back. Callie's head was nuzzled upon Brandon's chest. The sound of repeated ringing filled the room. Brandon's eyes opened slowly. He glanced at Callie for a moment before reaching over to turn off his alarm. He knew that he and Callie had to get moving so he could get to his performance at Disney Hall but he also didn't want this moment with Callie to be over.

"Cal, we gotta get up." He turned his head and pushed aside the hair that had fallen in Callie's face. She opened her eyes from Brandon's touch. "Good morning." Brandon whispered.

"Hey." Callie glanced around her surroundings for a moment. "I guess this isn't as joyful as the last time we spent the night together and woke up the next morning."

"Not exactly." They sighed simultaneously. Callie lifted her head from Brandon's chest and went to grab her bag. "We can get breakfast to go at McDonald's or something when we manage to find an area that actually has businesses." Brandon chuckled slightly.

"Yeah, breakfast of champions for your big day." Callie showed somewhat of a smile. She walked into the bathroom to change as Brandon cleaned himself up in the room itself. "So I wasn't sure if we're supposed to dress up so I brought 2 different outfit choices for today. I was going to have Mariana pick at the hotel but seeing as though I need to change now, wanna give me some advice?" Callie spoke through the thin door.

"You uh, you want my advice on clothes?" He laughed.

"Like I said, Mariana isn't here so I need an opinion." Callie opened the door with each option in each hand. In one was a simple solid dark blue dress that fell just above the knee. The other was a black cardigan, simple red tshirt, and jeans. Brandon turned around to look at the choices before he had the chance to button up his shirt. Callie glanced at his chest for a moment before snapping back to reality. "Oh, uh I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine." Brandon paused. "Go for the dress." He smiled.

She nodded her head in agreement and went back into the bathroom. Callie slipped the dress up and managed to get the zipper up halfway but she knew she wouldn't be able to pull it the rest of the way. She didn't want to ask for help. That would hurt Brandon. That would hurt her. So she struggled for another moment with the zipper before giving in defeat. She left out a long sigh. "Brandon?" Callie called out.

"Yeah?"

"Could you help me with the zipper? Please?" Callie opened the door but had her back facing Brandon. He tried not to stare. But that was difficult. Callie looked amazing in the dress. He thought she always looked amazing. He zipped up the dress before taking a step back. Callie turned around to face Brandon. "Thanks." Callie mumbled. Silence came from Brandon. This wasn't the first time she took his breath away. "So uh, you should probably finish tying your tie. She pointed to the tie as Brandon stared in awe at Callie.

"Yeah, right." He shook himself back into reality. Perhaps not talking to Callie was easier than actually speaking with her. He wanted so much to pull her close to him and kiss her. But instead he walked away without another word.

A few minutes later, Callie and Brandon were out the door and on their way to Disney Hall. They had stopped at McDonalds for a few minutes and continued the drive. It was almost as if last night didn't happen. The two were silent once again, not one making any attempt to talk to the other. Last night was just another night that they would never speak of again.

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Brandon and Callie arrived thirty minutes before having to leave for Disney Hall. Brandon went into the room where Mike and Jesus had slept. Callie went to the girls room where Lena, Stef, and Mariana were getting ready.