'Brandon Baby, is that you?" I hear my mom call softly. "Yeah" I grunt. .
It's too bright today. Marina was hogging the bathroom. And Jude still wasn't looking at me. Mom's left early this morning for some reason. Not that they told me why like they used to. God, everyone's been mad at me since Callie left, and Jude told them all. I don't know. I think I could take it if I could just have her back.
"Be quiet, B. we've got a very tired someone on the couch." I half glance, expecting Lena, and the world seems to stop. Yeah, Lena's there. She's laughing at me as she watches my jaw drop. She can't be real, just asleep in Lena's lap. Her hair's the tiniest bit longer and she's snoring a little, her arms clutching a pillow to her stomach. Callie.
Mom pops up on my shoulder, whispering, "Wyatt called and got heron a bus yesterday night. He finally talked her into coming home. Now, the four of us will need to have a serious talk, but for now, we're just glad she's home."
I nod, unable to tear my eyes away from her. Everything has finally clicked back to comfortable, to the right setting. My Callie's home.
As Callie starts to stir, Lena slips out to go help mom cook breakfast, giving me a "don't you do it" look as she goes. I settle next to her on the sofa, softly brushing some hair back from her face. "B- mm Brandon?" she groans as she wakes up, rubbing at her eyes. And of course, all I can think to say is, "hey"
Hey? Hey? Am I stupid?
But there's a hint of a smile before she guards herself, and I can tell this won't end well. And I remember she's spent the past two weeks with hair model. "so how's Wyatt?"
She rolls her eyes at my tone, but answers. "He's uh, he's fine. He hates his new place."
There's an awkward silence, and I hate it. Half my mind is trying to think of something to say and the other half is focused on how she's biting her lip and getting kinda fuzzy. I go back, to my hands on her waist and her hands in my hair, and I realize I'm leaning towards her. One small hand rests over mine. "Look, Brandon, what.. What happened before I… left-"
"We kissed Callie. you can say it."
Her soft brown eyes lock with mine as she very clearly and calmly states, "It can't- won't happen again."
"What? Callie-
But it's mine turn to be interrupted. "Brandon I told you before that I can't and I never shoul- let myself. Brandon…" she sighs.
"Callie, you don't understand. I've.. I've been falling for you." I sigh and reach out to brush her hair back. "I think that I'm-"
Her hand slaps over my mouth, and I can see tears starting to form in her beautiful eyes. "Don't say that Brandon. Do NOT say that. Ever. I can't do this. I have to think about my own safety, Jude, now your mom's too. If social services found out that they knew than we could all be taken away. And I won't do that to Stef and Lena. Not after all that they've done for me."
Her voice is cracking and tears are slipping out and I don't care about anything right now but making her stop crying. I yank her into my arms and she relaxes slightly, letting me take the burden. That's what gives her away. She's being selfless again. She lets herself stay in my arms a moment more before pulling back, wiping at her eyes. "Brandon, just- give me a little… space for now ok?"
That's the last thing I want. But for Callie, I could do anything. Everyone else is her priority, but she's mine.
And I will do anything to make her happy, even if that means keeping my distance for now.