The New Fosters: A Brallie Story

Chapter 9

Callie's POV:

Of course tonight had to be the night that Lexi's parents were over for dinner and Mariana had to ruin it by telling everyone at the table that they were having sex. She is so going to regret getting this drunk tomorrow. Brandon and I get her up the stairs and into her bed where she curls up with a teddy bear I've never seen before. I grab my pjs and head for the bathroom.

I look in the mirror. The make up that Mariana made me wear is now smeared. I lock the doors and start the shower. Tonight was insane. It was Wyatt's party and his house is being foreclosed on. In feel bad for him, but I never had a home to grow up in so I can't sympathize. I hop in the shower and let the hot water flow over my body.

Liam. Liam ruins everything. I'm grateful for Brandon, but this doesn't change anything. Brandon was protecting me from the reason we can't be together... or the example I guess. I'm amazed by Brandon's courage to go up against Liam for me. I mean Liam's bigger than Brandon, but somehow he still wouldn't back down. I'm also horrified because now I'm not the only one on Liam's hit list. If Brandon gets hurt because of this, because of me, I don't know what I'll do. I can't lose him. I wouldn't be cable to handle the guilt... or a life without him. I know, I sound insane.

It's obvious I have to stop whatever this is with Wyatt. It's not right to string someone along like that. How am I going to do it? What will he say or do? I hope I don't hurt him. I really don't want to hurt anyone.

Am I hurting Brandon now? Does it hurt him as much as it does me not to be able to be together? I feel physical pain when I'm not with Brandon, but its even worse when I'm with him because I have to fight everything I feel. I can't even describe the pain I feel, but its not just mental agony it's physical agony. I really don't know about anything anymore.

I turn the shower off, wrap my towel around me, and get out. I dry off and put my pjs on taking one more look in the steam covered mirror. I wrap my wet hair in the towel and walk down stairs. I get a glass of water and aspirin for Mariana and head back to the bedroom. Luckily I didn't run into Brandon. I set the water and pills on Mariana's nightstand and turn the lights off hopping in bed.

My cell phone screen lights up. When I check I see it's a notification from Instagram. Someone left a comment of the picture I took of the tree outside my window, 'nice tree. That's the one outside your bedroom window, right?' Who is this? I click on their page and scroll through the pictures. Liam.

I have to show this to Brandon because he's involved now. I really don't want to do this but I have to. I tip toe out to Brandon's door and lightly knock. After a minute Brandon opens the door. I think I woke him up because his lights are off and he looks tired. When he sees me he's suddenly jolts awake, "what's wrong?"

"I was about to go to sleep when I get an Instagram notification on a picture of the tree in the backyard," I pause as he motions for me to come into his room. I walk in and he closes the door.

Motioning to his bed and turning on his lamp he says, "sit sit and continue."

"We'll, the comment said 'nice tree. That's the one outside your bedroom window, right?' I didn't know who it was so I went to there page and scrolled through their pictures. Brandon, it's Liam." I say showing him my phone.

"How does he know where we live? His was still in that room when we left, he couldn't have followed us."

"I don't know, but he knows where we live and which bedroom is mine," I say worriedly.

He puts his arm around my shoulders, "Callie." I turned my head away from him. "Look at me," he lightly grasped my chin and turned my head so I would look him in the eye. "It's going to be fine... but I think we should tell moms about this, they could help."

"No Brandon, please no," I said shaking my head vigorously.

"Fine we won't tell them. You don't need to worry, I won't let him hurt you again Callie." It says it so convincingly I actually believe that he would do anything and everything he could to make sure Liam doesn't hurt me again.

I take a deep breath, "I love you Brandon." Oh no. Did I just say that out loud? Crap!

"Does this mean you've changed your mind?" He asks excitedly.

"I- I- I- Brandon I can't handle it anymore, but we are going to have to be really discreet. I mean NO one can find out," I state.

"I know and no one will, I PROMISE," he says. "Will you lay with me for just a little bit?" I smile and nod. He turns his lamp off and we lay down. I snuggle next to him laying my head on his chest, his arms wrapped around me and his head resting on top of mine. "I love you too Callie," he says and then I fall asleep, in Brandon's warm and safe arms.