Thank you all so much for all of your kind reviews, all of your follows and favorites, it means so much to us! Here is Chapter 2! Hope you enjoy
Callie's POV~
The regular hustle and bustle of the Foster's household is in full swing. Marianna is complaining about her math teacher giving them a quiz today. Jesus is arguing with Stef about taking his pill, and Lena is trying to give everyone food. Jude isn't at the table yet, so my eyes flit back to the stairs every few seconds, hoping to draw him to me telepathically. Magically, as if my telepathy worked, Jude comes down the stairs, hobbling over to the table.
I raise my eyebrows and mouth to him, "Why are you limping?" he shrugs his shoulders and sits down next to me, helping himself to a plate of pancakes. It isn't hard for me to spot a limp, or when my baby brother is in pain, God knows I've seen it happen multiple times. I can't shake the concern, but I focus on eating for now and getting him to open up later.
"Jude, I heard you were having a little trouble in science yesterday?" Lena asks after everyone has their food. I feel Jude tense next to me. Sometimes having the vice principal live with you is hard.
"It was just one question…" he says, clearly uncomfortable. His voice shakes, and my heart breaks.
"I'm sorry, Lena, it was my fault. I should've went over it more with him."
"No, no, no, Callie, it's not your fault. You have your own school work to go over." She turns to Jude, "And Jude, honey, if you want, I can start helping you."
"Well… uh… it's just… Callie k-knows h-how I learn a-and…" Lena looks like he just punched her in the stomach.
"Of course."
For a second I feel bad for her, but then I remember that Jude might be better off not getting closer to the Fosters. These homes are never permanent- it's not good to get attached.
After finishing breakfast, Jude and me find ourselves sitting on the stairs, putting our jackets on, waiting for the three Foster kids to finish getting ready. Watching Stef and Lena out of the corner of my eye, I whisper to Jude, "Now can you tell me why you came limping to the table?"
"I wasn't limping," he says defensively, but I can see the pain in his eyes, his leg stretched out straight on the floor.
"Are you sure about that?" I give him an incredulous look.
He sighs in defeat, "some kid tripped me in gym yesterday."
"What?!" My voice rises, and I see Stef turn her head, eavesdropping nonchalantly. "I mean, who was it?"
"I don't know, he was older. Probably from your grade or the twins'." Why was it always my brother? Couldn't they pick on someone their own size for once in their lives? Pick on me for crying out loud! Jude has had enough for his twelve years, and it's time for him to get a break.
"Are you okay? Did you tell a teacher?"
"No," he mumbles after a moment's pause. "I'm fine, and I didn't want to bother anyone…" The anger boils inside of me. What is the point of teachers if a kid isn't comfortable talking to them?
"Well thanks for telling me, buddy."
Stef frowns slightly, probably hoping for more information. But I simply wrap my arm around Jude's shoulders and sigh.
Tickling his sides, trying to lighten the mood, resulting in an eruption of laughter, I ask him, "You ready for that science test?"
He doesn't get a chance to answer as Mariana comes barreling down the stairs, Jesus in tow.
"I swear if we don't get another bathroom, I'm moving out!" she shouts, stomping out the front door.
Another day begins.
Jude has only gotten worse by the time we get back to the house. He's in the room he shares with Jesus, resting and staring at his homework with a twisted look on his face.
"Hey, Jude. What'cha workin on?" I ask, sitting on the foot of his bed, being careful of his elevated leg.
"Math," he says, glancing up. While he isn't looking I examine his leg for as long as I can. Something seems off, and he doesn't seem the slightest bit focused.
"How's the leg?" I finally ask, not being able to hold it in any longer.
"It's..." He doesn't finish for a few minutes, then says, "It's not the best."
I frown, "Oh baby, that's not good. I'm sorry Jude. Can I take a peek?" I may not be a doctor, but I have had a few broken bones and fractures in my lifetime to know what they look like. He shrugs, but lets me get a closer look at it.
I lift his pajama bottom leg up, revealing the skin. Below the knee looks relatively normal, except for a slightly swollen lump around the shin. Other than that, no blood, no bruises. It's clearly not fractured or broken.
"Can I..?" I gesture to the bump, asking if I can touch it. He nods. When I place a hand on the lump, he grimaces. "That hurts?" I ask, cringing internally for the pain my brother is in. The pain without an obvious cause. Why is this bump there? And why on Jude of all people?
"Mhmm," he says quietly. I pull his pant leg back down, and lay my head next to his on the pillow.
"How was school today?"
"It was kind of hard to get from class to class," he mumbles.
"I'm sorry, buddy. I wish there was something I could do. How were your classes?"
"I actually remembered the last part of an atom on the science test today," Jude says semi-brightly.
My face lights up, "Jude! That's great! I'm so proud of you!"
He gives me one of the smiles people rarely see. It's nice to know we can have these small victories when things are going badly. "Do you think we could use the same website we used to learn the things for science for my history test on Monday?"
"Of course we can! We'll do whatever helps you." Satisfied with the answer, he pushes his math workbook aside, and curls up next to me. I plant a kiss on his head, and grasp his hand in mine. I'm scared to death of what could be going on with his leg, but knowing that right now he's alright, here, next to me, it makes me feel a bit better.
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Until next time,
KDanceWriteDream + WrittenInTheStarsAbove
