AN: This chapter takes place just after Lena and Stef leave his room. I know it's a little short, but I'm just preparing for the big news. Thank you for all of the great reviews :)

Chapter 7:

Brandon's POV

I look around my room frantically, searching for a sign of Callie. I spot her clothes on the ground next to mine. She couldn't have gone very far. She wouldn't go running around the house naked, that would not end well. And I'm sure I would have heard someone scream if she had. There's no way a naked Callie running around the house wouldn't draw attention. I snicker at the brief distraction.

Back to reality… If Callie isn't in another room, where is she and why hasn't she come out yet?

"Callie?" I call in a hushed tone.

There's no response. Now I'm starting to worry. I jump out of bed and reach for my discarded jeans, tugging them on forcefully. I don't bother with my top, seeing no real need for one at the moment. I just don't want to be traipsing around my room naked, looking for a girl, in case someone happens to walk in. That would not make the situation at hand any better. I had to be extra cautious right now. But more importantly, I need to find Callie. The problem is I have no idea where she might be. I assume she's hiding in my room somewhere, but where?

Why hasn't she come out? Is this some sort of game because if it is, I definitely am not enjoying myself.

"Callie this isn't funny, you're really starting to worry me. Please come out now, they're gone, it's safe," I plead.

No such luck. Of course it wouldn't be that easy. When were things with Callie ever easy? I scoff at the thought because as difficult as she can be at times, she is definitely worth the struggle.

Since coaxing her out clearly isn't going to work, I need to try another tactic. Looks like I'm going to have to do this the old fashioned way, search for her myself. But where?

The first place I think to look is under my bed. It's a tight fit and a rather obvious spot, but I would be stupid to overlook it just because it was unoriginal and slightly inconvenient, not that most hiding spots were in fact convenient.

I bend down and peer under my bed. Nothing. Just dust and an old sock. I make a face, making a mental note to dust under there more often, and stand back up. I'm starting to understand the dust bunnies from The Big Comfy Couch a little bit better now, but that's not exactly useful at the moment, or ever.

I look around my room trying to think of another possible hiding spot. Nothing in particular stands out. I have a relatively small room with minimal furnishing, not heavy in hiding spots. Why was this so difficult? Where the hell could she be hiding and why wouldn't she just come out already?

Then all of a sudden I spot my closet. Of course. Why didn't I think of that before. I give myself a mental face palm and head over to the closet, pulling the door open slowly.

I glance around, but I don't notice anything out of the ordinary. That is until I decide to look down. There lying on the floor, unmoving, is Callie.

I feel myself start to panic, a long stream of worst case scenarios playing out in my head. I try to control my breathing as I bend down beside her. I lift her head gently, resting it against my arm. I place my fingers of my free hand against Callie's neck, checking for a heartbeat.

I heave a sigh of relief when I feel her heart beating steadily. The beat is a little slower than it should be, but not a cause for major concern. I have never been so grateful for taking first aid and CPR in my life. Mom always said it would come in handy. Boy was she right.

I cup her cheek with my hand, rubbing my thumb along it. I watch her intently as I murmur to her to wake up. After I see no response I decide to tap her cheek gently, knowing that it's the best way to get a response without being too physical or shouting at her. Thankfully that seems to do the trick. Callie seems to be coming to.

She opens her eyes slowly and squints up at me. I don't say anything, giving her time to adjust. I stroke my fingers through her hair soothingly and wait for her to speak.

"What happened?" she asks groggily.

I sigh and smile down at her, leaning over to press a soft kiss to her lips. I know I shouldn't, but I cannot help myself. I'm just so relieved that she's okay. I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to Callie. I close my eyes briefly, banishing the thought. I don't want to think like that, I can't.

"You passed out in my closet," I say gently, trying my best to downplay it so as not to startle her.

She looks at me with quizzical eyes. I brush the hair back from her forehead, telling her everything is going to be okay.

We sit like that for a few minutes, me stroking her hair, Callie laying on my bedroom floor trying to get her bearings.

"We should get you up off of the floor now," I say suddenly, realizing that we are still sitting in my cramped closet.

"Okay," Callie murmurs in response, her eyes drifting closed once again.

I slip my arms beneath her, cradling her in a bridal style carry. I lift her off of the ground slowly and walk her over to my bed. I place her down gently and sit beside her, resuming my position of stroking her hair.

As I sit there watching her sleep peacefully, I feel myself nodding off as well. The next thing I know I'm asleep with Callie cradled in my arms, something a guy could really get used to.