The New Fosters: A Brallie Story

Chapter 7

Callie's POV:

I told Brandon about Liam. I don't know if that was a very good idea, but I did it and can't take it back. I could tell he was worried about me and so was Jude, that's why he came p with an excuse to sleep with me. I didn't mean to scare them. It's just when I think about Liam and what he did... it brings me to a bad place. Brandon was so sweet though after I told him. I thought he would have backed off and ignored me, but that's not Brandon.

I wake up to Jude curled up next to me. I smile, he's so peaceful when he sleeps. It's like nothing bad has ever happened to him. It's like we are normal kids with a normal family. I look across the room at Mariana's alarm clock, it says 6:30am. I don't have to get up for another 30 minutes. Usually I would go back to sleep, but now I'm wide awake.

I think about Brandon and how, yesterday, I lead him to believe that we could be together when I know we can't. I feel bad and I really don't want to tell him. I want to be with him. I want to hug him and kiss him, even if it's in secret. But secrets always come out and I know what happens when they are. Last time we were kicked out and had to wait outside for someone from the state to come pick us up, OUTSIDE! I couldn't ever do that to Jude again. Stef and Lena told us that they wanted this to be our last foster home and I do too. It's the best foster home I've ever been in and Stef and Lena are some of the nicest people that I've met, but one thing I've learned in the foster system is that people can change in the blink of an eye.

I get up trying not to wake Jude up. I go into the bathroom and look at myself in the mirror. Callie you're a stupid stupid girl. I go back into my room to quickly grab my phone and earbuds. Then I slide back into the bathroom. I put the earbuds in and start getting ready for the day.

I listens to Arms by Christina Perry and Distance by Christina Perry as well. As I listen to the lyrics I think of Brandon. How he is the only person to really break through my hard exterior. How I wish I could tell him that I love him. How I'm falling for him and I hope he catches me. How I just want to be wrapped in his arms. The worst part is that I, we can't do any of that.

When I'm done in the bathroom I go and grab my clothes and get dressed. I'm wearing a light blue t-shirt and dark blue jeans. I brush through my hair and go downstairs for breakfast. Lena and Stef are already at the table with coffee and are making our lunches. "Good morning Callie." Lena says when she sees me in the doorway.

"Morning. Do you need help with anything?" I ask trying to keep myself busy and not thinking about Brandon.

"Sure, why don't you set the table for breakfast." I nod in response. I go to the cabinet and grab the plates. When I turn around I see Brandon grabbing the silverware. So much for keeping my mind off of him. He sees me and smiles. This is going to be really hard because all I want to do is run over to him, kiss and hug him. This is crazy! I've never felt this way about someone before. Why do we have to live in the same house? None of this would be an issue if we didn't live in the same house.

Luckily Mariana and Jude come down soon after Brandon and the normal morning routine starts. Jude keeps eyeing me though, probably still making sure I'm okay. I just smile at him and continue getting the table ready.

After Jesus came down we all ate our breakfasts quickly. Then we were out the door and walking to school. I walk ahead of everyone trying to clear my head. I hear them all talking. Mariana asks, "what's wrong with Callie?"

No one answers, so I'm guessing they all shrugged. "I'll go talk to her," I hear Brandon say. Oh no this isn't going to go well. "Hey," he says jogging up next to me.

"Hey," I say back. What am I going to tell him? Does he already know that I told him about Liam as a warning of why we can't date.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I lower my voice to a whisper so the others can't hear me. "Brandon, I just want to make it clear that we still can't date or, anything. It can't happen."

He sighs, "I know Callie, but I'm going to find a way around this."

"There is no way around it Brandon. So please drop it."

"Fine Callie." I could hear the anger and frustration in his voice.

Then Mariana came running up to us. "Callie don't make any plans for tonight because we are going to a party!"

"A party? Who else is going?"

"Jesus might go. Brandon you can come if you want."

He starts to shake his head, but stops. "Okay I'll go with you guys." Great. Why is he making this harder than it has to be?