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Chapter 1

Callie POV

I was sick as soon as I woke up. It was most probably the nerves which made me throw. I was on a plane, heading home. Two reasons: one, I couldn't stay at NYPA for the Winter, and two, I had to see my brother and thought it would be rude to turn down their offer. After high school, I had gotten a place at the prestigious NYPA, New York Photography Academy. I had submitted some of my work to them and was very shocked to find out I had actually gotten in. I was scared of leaving my brother, as Jude and I were very close.

When I was sixteen, Jude and I were fostered by a family called the Fosters. The family had two moms, Stef and Lena. Stef had a biological son, Brandon from her past marriage with Mike. They had also adopted a pair of twins called Marianna and Jesus, who had also been in the foster system like Jude and I. Marianna and I had gotten quite close, due to the fact that we had to share a room while I was living there.

I knew why I was scared about returning home. It was Brandon. When Stef and Lena had their long overdue wedding, and asked if Jude and I would like to be adopted, we shared an very passionate and amazing kiss in the backyard. It was awkward after that, and even though we both knew we had feelings for each other, which we tried to hide, we never talked actually talked about the kiss. After the wedding, I asked Stef and Lena if they could still adopt Jude and foster me instead. Although they didn't understand quite why I had asked, they agreed. So when I turned eighteen, I was a free adult and went off to NYPA, knowing Jude would be okay. And that had been my life up until a couple weeks ago. I was in my tiny flat, and was in my second year of college. I saw I had missed a call and listened to the message, inviting me to the Fosters for Christmas. I graciously agreed, hiding the fact I was completely worried about seeing him.

I was completely jumped out of my wandering thoughts, by an announcement. "We will be landing in five minutes, folks. Please return to yout seats and buckle up!" I closed my eyes, while we landed and tried to look forward to seeing Stef and Lena waiting for me, on the other side of the airport.

Brandon POV

My fingers tapped mindlessly on the steering wheel, maybe a sub-conscious way of showing I was nervous. I was sent to pick Callie up as Stef and Lena were preparing the house so every one could actually have place to stay. I mechanically got out of the car and walked to the place I was supposed to be meeting Callie.

No one could deny the sparks between us, but of course, she did as she was scared about being kicked out of the house. I wish I convinced her that we were worth a shot, I mean, we had one intense, incredible, magical kiss to our name which she refused to admit even happened, let alone admit that she loved it. Kissing Callie, was nothing like I'd ever imagined. Every minute, I felt like I needed to get even closer to her, and it was as if the whole world stopped. Just for us.

I pushed those thoughts out of my head. At least I had brought a friend home to stay in us this Christmas, Ryan. I looked over at him buying gum while we waited. He knew all about Callie, even the kiss but I had purposely forgotten to tell him that I might have unresolved feelings for my part - sister. I didn't even know what to call her anymore.

Her plane had come in while I was daydreaming and people were coming out of the gate now. I watched all the people coming out, trying to catch a glance of Callie. And then, all of a sudden, I saw her. It felt as if time had stopped the second I saw her. She got out of the warpath of the others coming out of the gate, stopped and looked around, supposedly for Stef and Lena. It seemed as if everything was just a blur, in slow motion while I stared at her. She had changed, her soft brown hair was now a little longer, but when I saw her eyes, I knew that she was the same Callie that unwillingly left those years ago. Her chocolate eyes were always my favourite part about her. Everytime I looked in those deep, chocolate brown eyes, I got lost, I would lose my train of thought, and I felt as if I was on top of the world. Callie was wearing white converse, white skinny jeans and a camouflage tank top, with her hair illustriously flowing down. She always looked incredible, but after not seeing her for two years, I felt like my heart was beating out of my chest.

Then all of a sudden, as I looked away from those hypnotising eyes, I remembered who I was, where I was, and also who I was with. I looked over at Ryan, who was currently checking Callie out, but very subtly. I felt a twinge of jealously but pushed it away before I could even recognise it. I started walking over to her, and motioned for Ryan to follow me. He quickly caught up with me, whispering to me: "Jesus Brandon...why didn't you show me a picture?!" I ignored the rhetorical question and watched as Callie eyes' met mine.

She rushed over to me, appearing cool and collected, while my heart was pounding so loud I was wondering if anyone else could hear it.

"Brandon?! Wow... I haven't seen you in ages!" She gushed, pulling me into a hug.

"Yeah, it's been two years." I replied, returning the hug and treasuring the moment when she was in my arms. I suddenly remembered Ryan, who must have felt awkward during our hug. "Callie, this is my friend, Ryan, he is staying with us for Christmas." Her eyes flickered over to Ryan, standing beside me. She subtly looked him over and then met his eyes. "Hey, uh I'm Callie." She gave a small laugh, which sounded like music to my ears, and then muttered; "Well obviously..."

I picked up her luggage and we all walked back to my car, laughing and catching up.