Callie's POV
Brandon and I have been living at Mike's for a few weeks now, and it's not as bad as we both thought it would be. We basically get the house to ourselves most of the time now that Mike went back to work. He usually gets up early in the morning to leave for work, and Brandon and I are both sleeping by the time he gets home. We only see him on the weekends when he has off, and when I'm at work, he and Brandon spend time together. I can already see the change this move has brought to Brandon's relationship with his dad. It's good to see the two of them finally getting along and strengthening their relationship. We haven't seen Stef and Lena since the day they kicked us out, but we see Jesus, Mariana, and Jude everyday at school and we try to make it a habit to meet up with them on the weekends. Since I'm working all the time, they usually meet me at work and we hang out after. Brandon has been busy practicing with the band. He leaves school to go to Lou's house to practice, then he picks me up from work and we head home to spend time with each other before our routine happens all over again the next day. It seems like we barely see each other, but we honestly spend a lot of time together. It's like we live on our own since Mike is barely home. I'm shaken out of my thoughts as I hear the minute bell ring, and I know it's time to head to first period before I'm late.
Brandon's POV
"So everything's going well at your dad's?" Jesus asks as we head outside for lunch. Mariana and Callie are supposed to be meeting us out here, but I don't see either one of them yet. "Yeah, pretty much. Callie and I are basically alone at his house because he's always working, but we get to see him on the weekends when he's home. We've been spending a lot of time together, and I think this is the closest the two of us have ever been," I reply. "That's great B, seriously. I'm glad everything is working out for you guys," he says. "How're things with you guys at home?" I ask. "Tense," he replies. "Mamma seems fine about everything, but Mom is a different story. She refuses to talk about you guys, and she barely talks to us now that she knows that we knew about you guys. She thinks we're betraying them by supporting your relationship and not telling them sooner." "So Lena's fine with Callie and I being together?" I ask. "That's what it seems like," he replies. "She told us the other day that we did the right thing by waiting to tell them, and she said she understood why we accept the two of you. It looked like she wanted to say more, but Mom walked in." "Well it's good to know that Lena has come on board for the most part," I say. "Maybe Mom will see that and finally come to terms with our relationship." "Yeah, maybe," Jesus says, although he doesn't sound convincing. "Please don't tell Callie about any of this. Not now at least. She's finally not upset about the whole thing, and I want it to stay like that for a little longer," I say. "I won't say anything to her, but you shouldn't keep it from her for too long. She hates when you lie to her," he replies. "I know," I say. We don't say anything else about the subject because Mariana and Callie are finally joining us outside. "Hey baby, I was worried when I didn't see you," I say, wrapping my arms around Callie's waist. "Sorry, Timothy kept us late in class to talk to us about this project we have to do," she says, kissing my cheek. "You and Mariana are doing a project together?" I ask. "Yeah," she says, smiling. "It's going to be a lot of fun." I don't let her see my uncertainty as she tells me this. "That's great," I say. I pull her down next to me as I sit on the bench behind me, and I hold her close to my body. "You act as if you never see her," Mariana says, rolling her eyes at me. "I know," I say. "I just love her so much." I release Callie out of my hold and settle for holding her hand on my lap. "So how's Jude? I barely see him at school," Callie says. "He's great," Jesus says. "He's been spending a lot of time with Connor, and he even asked me if he could bring Connor along the next time we hang out with you guys." "Yeah, of course," I say. Callie and I are happy that Jude has Connor to hang out with. He's become less dependent on Callie, and he seems to enjoy hanging out with Connor. "What time do you have practice today?" Mariana asks. "Four, why?" I ask. "I was thinking about stopping by to surprise Mat," she says, her face glowing with redness. "I'm sure he would love that," I say. "You can ride up with me." "Really?" she asks. "Yes, but you better text mom and ask her if it's okay first. I don't want you to get in trouble," I reply. "I'll ask Lena after school," she says. "Make it quick. I want to leave right after school so we aren't late. Lou hates when I'm late," I say. "Don't worry," she says. "I'll be by your car at three thirty."
