A/N: Italics denote a flashback.

Callie

The first thing I'm aware of is the pain. There is not a single part of my body that doesn't hurt. I begin to open my eyes and immediately slam them shut. It's bright; too bright.

"Callie? Callie, can you hear me?"

I'm so tired.

"Can you open your eyes, hun?"

I can't talk. No matter how much I will myself to speak I cannot get my lips to form the words running through my head. Just as well: I don't think I have a single coherent thing to say at the moment. I'm so confused and I'm in so much pain…

Wait. Stef.

I try to open my eyes again and this time I manage to see through the narrow slits of my eyelids. I try to speak but all that comes out are unintelligible whimpers and grunts.

"Don't try to speak, hun." I hear as well as somebody patting my hand.

"Sss…ssst…" I try to hiss out. Nobody says anything in reply. I can see a little better now and I'm aware of the number of doctors and nurses surrounding me. They're poking and prodding and speaking over each other. It's loud and confusing.

Everything hurts.

And suddenly I remember what's going on; how I got here. My memory gives me a little adrenaline boost and I weekly try to push myself off of the bed, but a nurse pushes me back down.

"Don't try to move, hun," she tells me in a gentle voice, "We're trying to fix you up. You're gonna be just fine."

But what about Stef?

"Stef…" I rasp out tilting my head in the direction of the voice I just heard, "Where…"

"We're taking care of your mama," the same nurse voice says, "Don't you worry."

I'm so tired.

"Everything is going to be okay."

Callie

I can't believe I forgot.

I'm a very conscientious person. I had to be, for Jude's sake if not for my own. I'm always on the look out for possible threats as well as back-up plans in case anything goes wrong. I'm aware of my surroundings and everyone in them. I can pick out details, like body language and tone of voice.

I'm a very conscientious person.

So the fact that I forgot about a school assignment is baffling. It's for my photography class. I took the pictures and edited them and they were all set to go. I just never got around to printing them.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

I glance at my phone to check the time: 7:37. We finished with dinner a few minutes ago and it's Stef and Lena's night to clean up the kitchen—even more reason I don't want to bother them. Brandon is with his dad having dinner so it's not like I can ask him to drive me to the pharmacy to print the pictures.

Damnit.

Stef and Lena would never hurt me, I know that. I just don't want them to be angry with me. I'm sixteen years old and I'm responsible for myself. Maybe I should just hand in the assignment late? No. I can't afford any bad grades. Not while I'm on probation.

Damnit.

It takes me a while to build up the nerve to go down to the kitchen. I pause near the entrance. I hear Stef and Lena talking over the sounds of the sink running and dishes clinking together. Why did I have to forget?

"Callie?"

I snap out of my internal struggle at the sound of Lena's voice. She and Stef are now both turned away from the sink, looking at me expectantly. I dig my nails into my palms and slowly make my way to them. I bite down on my bottom lip and look down at my sneakers.

"What's up, love?" Stef asks as she shuts off the faucet before turning around to completely face me. She always gives me and everyone else her undivided attention. It simultaneously makes me feel both important and small.

I push some hair behind my ear, "I um…I forgot…" I let out a breath. "I'm sorry."

Lena raises an eyebrow, "For what, sweetheart?"

I lower my gaze, "My photography assignment is due tomorrow and I forgot to print it out." I mumble quickly.

"Okay," Stef says in a happy-go-lucky tone, "Nothing to worry about. We can go print it now."

I sigh, "I'm really sorry," I begin to apologize, "I usually don't forget—"

"It's fine, Callie," Stef dismisses my remorse with a wave of her hand, "Let's not make this a habit, yes?" She gives me a wink and smiles.

"Besides," Lena adds as she walks over to the fridge, "This is kind of perfect because we need a few things anyway." She tears off a sheet from the notepad that hangs on the fridge and hands it to Stef.

"Please and thank you," she says and gives Stef a kiss on the cheek.

Stef feigns annoyance but goes to grab her car keys, "Go get whatever you need and we'll leave." She tells me.

"Bring a jacket with a hood," Lena advises as she gets back to the dishes, "It's supposed to start raining soon. I'm speaking to both of you." She says, giving Stef a pointed look. Stef huffs and stalks off to go grab a jacket. I run up to my room to grab the Sim card from my camera, along with a jacket, my phone, and my wallet, and head downstairs.

Stef is tucking the list into her purse when I reach her. She looks up at me and smiles, "Ready?" I nod.

"Let's go."

Sorry it's short but this is just kind of setting the story up. It might be a bit confusing in the beginning but everything will clear up. Let me know what you think!

-Liv