By Your Side

Chapter 12

Callie's Pov

"Hey Cal, Mama and I are going out for the day. We are dropping Jude off at Taylor's. I don't know what time we will be back so can you pick him up if he calls you?"

"Sure! No problem"

"Alright, Thanks. We'll see you later!" Stef gives me an awkward hug and then closes my bedroom door behind her.

"You are so lucky you don't have your license yet" I tell Mariana as she laughs at me.

"I know! You totally got stuck with Brandon's old job. Don't let him fool you, that was the real reason he moved in with Mike." We both laugh. I have finally gotten to the point where I can talk about Brandon to her. I know she would never tell anyone what I say, and I just really needed to talk to someone about it.

Of course she doesn't know any details, just the big picture, but she seems okay with it. I know she wants us both to be happy, whatever that may mean for us.

"Do you want to go downstairs and watch a movie with me?" she asks.

"Do you mind if I pass on the movie? I'm not really feeling that today."

"No problem. I'll be downstairs if you need me"

Once she leaves, I look around my room for something to do. My eyes immediately go towards my guitar in the corner. I have not touched it in so long and I really miss playing it.

I walk over and pick it up. My fingers graze over the strings and I get butterflies in my stomach. This is still my favorite gift I have ever gotten. Brandon and I barely knew each other when he gave this to me. It really showed me that he didn't care what everyone else thought of me, he saw the real me.

I miss all of the nights when he would help me with different chords when I couldn't remember them.

I actually started to get good again. I can't believe that I have forgotten about it. I carry the instrument into the back yard and sit in the grass under a tree. My hands start playing without needing my brain to tell them what to do.

In this moment it feels like I never stopped. I allow myself to get lost in the music.

After playing for who knows how long, I set the guitar down in front of me and smile.

"You've still got it! I have missed hearing you play that."

I jump because I thought I was alone and find Brandon sitting down on the bench across the yard.

"Hey! How long have you been there? I didn't know you were coming over today."

He stands up from the bench, walks over to me and takes a seat in front of me.

"I've only been out here for a few minutes. I stopped by to drop something off for Jesus."

"Wow, so you have voluntarily come over twice in one week?" I joke.

"I know, I guess I just can't stay away." We both laugh.

"I am glad you are playing again" Brandon says while motioning towards the guitar sitting between us.

"Me too" I whisper while looking at it. "Well, speaking of music, are you getting excited for your Julliard audition?!"

"Yeah, about that..." I looks guilty so the smile that was plastered on my face just moments ago begins to fade away. "I don't know If that is going to happen anymore" He winces at me, knowing very well that I would disapprove.

"Why wouldn't it be happening?" I question.

"Look, even if I did make it in, I would never be able to afford Julliard, so what is the point of going all the way to New York to audition?" I can tell he has been beating himself up about this. Ever since I met him, this has been his goal and I don't get how he could just give that up.