Stay

Chapter 1

Callie's POV:

I looked around at my foster parents, Stef and Lena, sitting around the kitchen table. They looked like they were about burst with excitement. Excited for the news, I look to Jude, who was equally excited for what they were about to tell us.

"Callie, Jude." Stef began, "I know this past month has been hard for you guys" she says with sympathy in her eyes, "but hopefully this will make you feel better. Lena and I want to ask if-"

"We want to adopt you!" Lena cuts in, practically shouting.

I pause for a second in disbelief before finally saying, "Are you serious?!" with the biggest smile on my face. I turn to Jude and he looks like he's about to break down and cry of happiness. It's been a hard time for all of us and he really needed this.

"Of course we want to make sure it's okay with you-" Stef begins.

"Of course!" Jude and I shout simultaneously.

"We'll have to talk to your birth father and get him to sign some papers, and then it's official!" Lena says, full of excitement.

"Our birth father?" I ask. "You mean Donald? He's in jail and we haven't heard from him in years. How are you going to find him?"

"I'll just figure out what jail he's in and talk to his lawyers. Don't worry, everything will work out" Stef said, getting up to hug us.

I knew I shouldn't need to worry, Stef was a cop and could practically do anything. But for some reason, the thought of Donald made me uneasy. I shake the thought out of my head and hug her back.

•••

After me, Jude, Stef, and Lena were done talking, I ran upstairs to tell Mariana, my soon-to-be sister. "Mariana!" I shout as I run into the room that we share.

"What?" She asks, looking up from her homework.

"Moms are going to adopt me and Jude!"

"No way! Seriously! Oh my god Callie that's amazing!" She said running up and hugging me. "I have a sister!"

"This is so exiting!" She started, "we can share clothes and do each other's hair and talk about boys!" She says giggling. "Speaking of boys, go tell Jesus and Brandon the news!"

I make my way over to Jesus's room, but Jude already beat me to it. "Callie!" Jesus says as I walk in, "I heard about the news! I'm so excited!"

"Thanks!" I say hugging him tight.

I then make my way over to Brandon's room. I don't even bother knocking anymore because of how close we have become. "Brandon!" I shout as I open his door.

"Callie!" He exclaims as he sits upright on his bed, looking embarrassed and buttoning his shirt. Next to him, Talya glares at me.

"I-I-Im sorry" i say. "I didn't mean to interrupt" I awkwardly close the door and quietly walk back to my room.