Drive -- Brallie AU [COMPLETED]

nine

BRANDON -- HOUR 42 ON THE ROAD

The past few hours on the road, Brandon felt his chest closing in. They were getting closer to their destination, closer to their dream. As he became more stressed and worried, he saw Callie becoming more carefree.

He didn't know what to call her. His girlfriend? Brandon didn't feel like Callie should just be introduced as someone's girlfriend. She was so much more powerful than that.

Anyways, they were nearing the city around hour forty two. Brandon could see the distant outlines of the skyscrapers. They towered over everything, bright, obvious, grace. It was like nothing he had seen in San Diego. There was a limited amount of everything there. Opportunities came in a low supply and beauty seemed to lack. Then, Callie came into his life, and everything blossomed. This fantastic, possibly life ruining chance, walked into their lives after their moms found out, and he took it. He took it with her. 

God, he feels like he can take on the world. He feels immortal, he feel infinite as they approach the lights that never go out.

"We didn't think this through," He said, furiously bouncing his feet. "Do we have enough money to rent an apartment? Will we even be able to?"

"Calm down, we'll figure everything out. I know it." She relaxed her hands on the wheel, "This, my sweet boy, is the crushing freedom of adulthood." Then, unironically, she said, "God, I love it."

CALLIE -- MONTH ONE IN NYC

The first month in New York went by quite fast, Callie thought.

She had made the choice to call Lena to arrange her education. Callie was going to finish her senior year online, which she quickly did. As she did that, Brandon had lined up a job at a local coffee shop in southeastern Queens, where they were able to get an apartment.

Lucky for Brandon, who would have a mental breakdown whenever she would mention the future, Callie lined up everything. Except his job, of course. Despite that, she was able to research an apartment and was so proud of herself. She was in love with their new home. Not only because it was, in fact, beautiful, but because it meant everything to Callie. She furnished it and she bought it and she had finally done something for herself. Brandon, too, but when telling Mariana about it, that's what she said.

The Foster family was informed of where they were. Stef and Lena had both calmed down, yet neither supported the two. Jude refused to talk, which was something that Callie predicted, Jesus seemed like he didn't care, and Mariana was highly ecstatic to hear that the two were safe. She couldn't stop talking, since so much had happened in the month or so that Brandon and Callie were gone.

Callie missed her. She just wished that Jude would have talked to her, too.

BRANDON

Work on the east coast was just as boring as work on the west coast.

Although, his job in San Diego allowed him to play piano, so Brandon decided to retract his statement.

It wasn't all bad, though. He got a discount on coffee and treats and there were a lot of people there who were incredibly nice and interesting. But, there were also the New Yorkers who had no time for lines and didn't tip Brandon at all. (Something that should've gotten him fired: If they asked for a scone, he had to go in the back to warm it up and he used to drop it. Oops?)

When thinking about going home, though, made his day great. Going home. To his own house. To the girl he no longer has to be ashamed of calling his girlfriend.

The thought of Callie totally escaped his mind one day when an old friend of his walked through the doors of the coffee shop. 

She had changed her hair since the last time he had seen her. It was solid blue now, which Brandon thought suited her nicely. A guitar was slung over her shoulder and when she saw Brandon, her eyes were a mixture of regret and happiness.

"Brandon!" Cheered Lou. Brandon walked around the counter to hug the smaller person.

"I didn't know you were here-- In New York, I mean."

"We were touring and I couldn't rip myself away from the city. Oh my god," She giggled, and tore away from the hug, "Why are you here? Juilliard?"

"Uh," His heart was crushed, remembering the dreams he had just ran away from, "No. Problems at home resulted in us running away."

"Us?"

Brandon told Lou to wait where she is and flagged down his manager, where he told him that he was taking his ten minute break then. When he returned to Lou, he told her the story. "No offense, Brandon, but your moms were kinda dumb to not see that one coming. I mean, ex lovers. They knew that you two were in love. You got a restraining order for her, and then they leave you two alone in a dark, romantic cabin, with no supervision around? Really?"

"They thought it was over. Also, her and I thought she was never going to get adopted, and then she did."

"You always were an idiot," Lou giggled. She then became serious, in the way she spoke and the way she held herself. "Won't you miss them, though? You didn't even say goodbye."

"I mean, I called my moms when we got to New York. They didn't sound mad but--"

"They were mad, and you know it. Do you really think they will forgive you for running away with the girl who got you in trouble in the first place? If I think I know you the way I do, I know that you hate yourself right now, because you know the answer to my question."

"It's not like that Lou, I'm happy. I have Callie."

"Think about it. You are giving up family for, what, a girl?" Lou took another sip of the water she had gotten, "I don't want to see you ruin your life because of adrenaline, Brandon. Just-- call me if you want to talk again. Really talk." 

Then she left Brandon to think.

She was right, wasn't she?

...
If you didn't already see, I posted a new Brallie AU! It's titled Satisfied, and I'm very excited for it.