Battle Scars

chapter 13 - wishes

"If you had one wish, what would it be," I ask Brandon as we're laying on a blanket in the cold grass in the backyard, looking up at the stars.

"Unlimited wishes," he jokes.

"I'm being serious," I reply with a small laugh.

"So am I. Then I could wish to be with you forever and to make you happy at the same time and they'd both come true."

"You don't need wishes to know that that will come true."

He gives me a small peck on the cheek which makes me smile. I stare back up at the sky. It's pitch black outside, the only light is from a window next door and the big yellowish-orange moon.

"So what would your wish be," he asks.

"To travel 5 years in the future."

"Really? Five years, that's it? Why?"

"I'd be out of the system, living on my own and we'd be able to be together. Jude would be almost 18 so he would be on his own soon," I shrug, "it'll be better. I just don't want to wait that long."

He takes my hand, "You don't have to wait. I'm always here."

I smile, slightly sadly, at him and he kisses me. We pull away and he pushes hair out of my face, "I love you Callie. No matter what the rules are."

"Brandon Foster. I love you more."

"Impossible," he says and kisses my forehead.

I smile and rest my head on his chest. He wraps his arms around me, making me feel warm in the cold night. I look at my bracelet Brandon got me a few days ago instead of the sky. The diamonds glisten in the moon light. I smile, remembering the moment in the store the day he got it for me. Snuggling closer to him, I say 'I love you' one more time before I quickly fall asleep.

He carries me back to my room and lays me on my bed. Taking my shoes off, he pulls the blanket over me and kisses the top of my head, accidentally waking me up. I glance over at Mariana's bed and see that it's empty and perfectly made with a teddy bear in the middle of her pillows.

"Stay with me," I ask sleepily before he leaves. He nods and I move over to give him room. It's always easier for me to fall asleep with him next to me. I feel more safe, more protected.

"I love you. So much Callie."

I smile, "Brandon?"

"Yeah?"

"I lied. When I said I would travel 5 years in the future if I had one wish. If I had one wish I wouldn't take it because as long as I have you with me, I have everything I need," I say before I fall asleep once more in Brandon's arms.