Chapter 12.

"So, how was it?" Callie asked the next morning, as soon as Mariana woke up.

Her sister smiled dreamily. "It was perfect. Well," she added, "sort of. I mean, it was messier than I thought it would be, and it hurt at first. But... yeah." She blushed deeply.

"Wait. Where did you guys actually do it?" Callie wondered. She'd been vaguely aware of her sister slipping out of the room the night before.

"On the old sofa bed in the basement," Mariana divulged. "Not exactly the most romantic place, but we didn't really mind, so it's all good." She crossed the room to Callie's bed, walking with an awkward gait.

"Sore?" Callie laughed.

"Just a little," she admitted. "Okay. A lot." She looked at Callie questioningly. "Did it hurt when... you know?"

"Yeah," Callie nodded, looking down into her lap. She recalled the morning after she was raped, holding her breath as she sat down to breakfast, then suffering through an uncomfortable day of school. "It did."

"Probably a lot more than it did me," Mariana realized, her face sullen. "Sex with Zac was great, but it never really hit me until now what you must have went through. That vulnerability was a little scary, even for me, and I was ready. You weren't."

"Look," said Callie. "I really don't want to talk about this right now. Please?"

"Okay," her sister nodded. "But Callie? I'm sorry that happened to you. It shouldn't have. And... you're the strongest person I know. I know it sounds corny, but I really do look up to you."

"Thanks." If only she knew what I did, Callie thought to herself. I'm a terrible role model.

After lunch, Callie got a text from Vico, asking her to go with him to a "sort of after-prom party."

"Can I please go?" she asked Lena. Stef and Jude had run to the grocery store for pizza ingredients.

"Well, we were going to have a family dinner tonight, while Zac is visiting..." she replied.

"It will be after dinner," Callie promised. "I didn't go to the last party because I was sick. I don't want Vico to think I don't want to hang out with him."

"Will there be adults at this party?"

"I guess so," she shrugged. "Probably. You can trust me. I won't do anything wrong."

"It's not you I don't trust, slug-a-bug," Lena told her. "It's everyone else. If I let you go, I want to make sure you'll be smart about it. Don't go off with anyone you don't know, and if you set your drink down, even for a second, do not drink it. Throw it away. And if you need us, don't hesitate to call. We'll come pick you up."

"I understand," said Callie.

"And no alcohol whatsoever," Lena added.

"I know," Callie nodded. "So, is that a yes?"

"It's a maybe," her mother replied. "I need to check in with mom first, before I give you a definite answer."

When Stef came home, she reluctantly gave permission. So, after dinner, Callie stood in front of the mirror in her room, dressing before Vico picked her up. She brushed her hair until it shone, then studied her reflection. She was wearing black skinny jeans, and soft flannel shirt. She wrinkled her brow with disappointment. She was wearing her street clothes; the kinds of things she wore every day. She knew Vico wanted her to dress sexier, but the truth was, she didn't own anything that really fit that description.

Just then, Mariana came into the room, looking for her phone. "That's what you're wearing?" she asked, wrinkling her nose.

"I don't have anything else." She wasn't much of a clothes-horse. She preferred to dress for comfort rather than fashion.

"Girl, you need help," Mariana laughed. "I probably have something you can borrow." She threw open the closet, and started flipping through the hanging garments. "This," she said, "is perfect." She tossed a nautical-striped crop top to Callie, then dug through the dresser until she found a short navy blue skirt.

"Thanks," said Callie. She quickly changed into her borrowed outfit, then modeled it for her sister. The skirt skimmed the middle of her thighs, and was a bit snug; she was curvier than Mariana. The hem of the shirt just touched the waistband of the skirt. When she moved, it revealed a strip of skin. "How do I look?" she asked, feeling slightly exposed and not much like herself.

"Cute," her sister praised. "Now let me do your hair and makeup."

"Okay." She sat down on the edge of her bed, as Mariana worked on her. When she was finished, she went downstairs to wait for Vico to pick her up.

"Callie?" Stef gasped, when she saw her.

"Mariana gave me a sort of makeover," she explained. "Do you like it?"

"You look very pretty," Stef replied. "But you don't really look like... you. It just kind of caught me off guard." In all honesty, she thought her daughter was wearing a bit too much make-up. She missed Callie's fresh, naturally beautiful face.

"I was just trying something knew," Callie told her. "Trust me. I could never dress like this every day."

"Just don't try to be someone you're not," said Stef. "Because we love you just the way you are."

At that moment, Vico rang the doorbell.

"Bye," said Callie, hugging her moms. "See you later."

"See you later," said Stef, kissing her forehead. "Have fun and be safe."

"And be home by curfew," Lena added.

"Have a drink," Vico urged, shoving a red plastic cup toward Callie.

"No thanks," she replied, slightly uncomfortable with the fact that her boyfriend was the one who provided the keg for the party.

"Since when are you a nun?" he laughed, more than a little drunk.

"I just don't like beer, okay?" She yawned with boredom.

"Come on," he said. "Let's find someplace quieter. I can't hear myself think in here." He took her hand and led her roughly down a hall, weaving around couple hooked up in corners and discarded cups, and up the stairs.

"Let's go in here." He opened the door, revealing an empty room. It was apparently a guest room, spartan bare and dark.

Callie heard the door shut behind her, then Vico pushed her up against it, and smashed his lips against hers, driving his tongue into her mouth over and over. "You are so hot," he muttered, as he groped her.

Callie gagged, a result of his tongue being shoved down her throat and the taste of the beer on his lips. Beer repulsed her; the taste and the smell. It brought back horrible memories.

Vico lifted her up over his shoulder, and carried her to the bed. Then, he hovered over her, kissing her swollen lips with dominant, demanding movements. Callie held onto his shoulders to steady herself, trying to keep up. And involuntarily, she sighed with pleasure when he kissed a sensitive spot on her neck.

"You like that, baby?" Vico whispered. He grabbed her hands in his, holding them over her head, and kissed her again. Then, he slid his hands up her shirt.

The rough make-out session continued, progressing further, until Callie found herself shirtless, straddling Vico as he ran his hands down her stomach. She leaned down, trying to seem sexier, and licked his lips before darting her tongue into his mouth. But she stiffened when she felt him stealthily unhook her lacy bra, as if he'd done it many times before.

"What are you doing?" she asked, pulling up the straps, self-consciousness burning at her cheeks.

"Trying to get a piece of ass," her replied nonchalantly. He tugged one bra strap back down. "But you're not making it easy."

"I'm not gonna sleep with you," she told him, appalled, as fear began to creep into her. Would he force himself on her, like Liam did?

"Come on," he persisted. "I can rock your world, Callie." He reached under her bra and squeezed her breasts hard.

"I'm not ready," she told him, now thoroughly frightened.

"Oh, like you're a virgin," he accused. "Lighten up, Sister Mary Margaret. Don't be such a tease."

"I said I don't want to," she replied, trying to climb off of him. But he grabbed her shoulders, trying to shove her down on the bed.

"Stop!" she gasped. She yanked her arm away from him, releasing her shoulder from his grasp. It painfully hit the headboard, the impact causing her to whimper. "I said no."

"Fuck, Callie!" he shouted. "Fine. Just forget it."

"I'm going home," she told him, tears running down her cheeks. She fixed her bra, then pulled her shirt over her head, before heading to the door.

"Wait!" Vico called. "Let me drive you home?"

Callie turned to him and shook her head. "No. I'll walk."

"I'm sorry," he apologized, reaching for her hand.

Sighing, Callie's face softened. "It's nothing personal, okay? You've been drinking. My mother died in an accident caused by my father. He was drunk."

"Well, at least let me walk you home," he suggested. "It's late. There might be creepers out there."

"I can take care of myself," she replied. "But I'll let you walk me out." She turned away, with Vico following close behind.

When they got to the sidewalk, he regarded her sheepishly. "Look," he said. "I'm really sorry. I did not know you would freak out like that."

"I have my reasons," she shrugged.

"Forgive me?"

"I'll think about it."

Vico put his arms around her, and gave her a light kiss on her sore lips. "Goodnight."

Callie nodded, and dutifully kissed his cheek. "Goodnight."

As she walked home, her shoulder throbbed where it had hit the headboard. She touched it, rubbing the knot away. A chill passed through her spine, and she looked over her shoulder, then picked up her pace, anxious for the warm, cozy, safe atmosphere of home.

Stef poured herself a glass of wine and sat back on the sofa, putting her feet up. Lena had already gone to bed, but she usually waited up when one of the kids were out late, especially if it was one of the girls.

She took a slow sip of red liquid from her glass, and closed her eyes, letting the wine warm her from the inside out. Soon, her muscles began to relax.

Just then, the front door opened, and Callie came in, hanging her jacket on the hook. She turned around and smiled. "Hi, mama."

"Hi, love," said Stef, yawning. "Come. Come sit with me for a little while"

Callie plopped down beside her on the sofa, and Stef put her arm around her. "Cutting it a little close to curfew, aren't you, honey?"

"Sorry," her daughter apologized.

"It's okay," Stef told her. "You were close, but you made it."

Callie nodded, resting her head against her mother, and wrapping her arms around her. Stef lovingly combed her fingers through her daughter's hair.

"Can I have some?" Callie asked, noticing the glass of wine in her mother's hand. She loathed beer, but she had nothing against wine.

"Of course," Stef nodded. "In three years,"

"Come on," Callie pleaded. "Just a sip?"

Stef rolled her eyes in mock annoyance, recalling when she was a child, and her father would sometimes let her have a taste of his beer. "Okay," she relented. "Just a tiny sip."

"Thanks," she smiled. Stef passed her the fluted glass, and she delicately put her lips to the rim and tested the dark red liquid. She held it in her mouth a moment before swallowing.

"Smooth," she nodded appreciatively, handing the glass back.

Stef laughed, hugging her closer, and kissed her soft hair. "I love you, baby girl."

Callie held onto Stef a little tighter. "I love you too." She sighed longingly. "I wish it could just stay like this forever."

"What do you mean, honey?"

"Right now," she explained. "It's nice, just the two of us hanging out. I wish it could last longer."

"We can spend time together anytime you want, sweetheart," Stef reminded her. "I always have time for my babies."

"But soon I'll be on my own," she pointed out. "It won't be like this anymore."

"Don't worry about that, love," said Stef, brushing her daughter's hair behind her ear. "We have our whole lives to hang out." She squeezed Callie's shoulder, and the young girl's face went pale as she cringed from her touch.

"What's the matter, Cal?" she asked with concern. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Callie nodded. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Stef asked. "It seemed like you were in pain just now." She reached over and pressed her fingers to her daughter's shoulder. Callie's body tensed at the pressure.

"Let me see." She pulled the collar of Callie's shirt aside a few inches, and revealed a darkening bruise, harsh against her smooth skin. "How did you get this, baby?"

"Oh. I, uh, just bumped it on something. It's nothing. Just clumsiness."

"I see," Stef nodded. "Well, I didn't mean to hurt you, sweetheart."

"I know you didn't," Callie replied. "It's okay."

"Do you want me to get you an ice pack?" Stef asked. "It looks sore."

Callie shook her head. "Nah. I'm fine. I'm gonna go to bed."

"Okay," her mother said quietly. "Goodnight, baby doll. I love you."

"I love you too," Callie told her, before kissing her on the cheek. "See you in the morning."

Callie went to her room, her heart heavy with guilt. She was angry with herself for lying to her mother. Until recently, she'd never lied to Stef and Lena. Not since she ran away from home. She was the good kid. The dependable, responsible one.

As she undressed and changed into her nightshirt, she felt like crying.

"Where did you get that bruise?" Mariana asked from her bed.

Callie whipped around, startled. She'd forgotten her sister was in the room. "I fell out of bed last night It's no big deal." Great, she thought. I lied to mama, and I lied to Mariana. What's wrong with me? She crawled into her bed and switched off her lamp, and Mariana did the same.

"Hey?" he sister whispered in the dark.

"Yeah?" Callie asked quietly.

"I helped you get dressed earlier. You didn't have a bruise then."

To Be Continued