Callie was laying in her bed scrolling down her instagram when Mariana walked in and shut the door. Callie could tell Mariana was crying. Her eyes were puffy and her cheeks were flushed.

"You okay?" Callie asked, putting her phone down on the nightstand.

"It's nothing. It's stupid really." Mariana said, slumping her shoulders.

"Mari, it's obviously nothing. C'mon, tell me." Callie tried.

"Me and Adam broke up." Mariana said with a heavy breath.

Adam and Mariana had been dating for a few weeks only. It wasn't really serious yet, but Callie could tell Mariana was really upset about it.

"I'm sorry it didn't work out." Callie said.

"How could I be so stupid?" Mariana said with frustration.

"What are you talking about, Mariana?" Callie quickly sat up.

"It was all a joke. The entire relationship. He never even liked me." Mariana said with tears. "He only dated me because his friends made a bet that he could get me to sleep with him."

"Mariana, you aren't stupid. Stupid would be knowing that's what he wanted from the start and still going along with it." Callie said, hoping it would make her feel better.

"What's wrong with me? Why is it so hard for people to actually like me?" Mariana questioned.

"There's nothing wrong with you because you haven't had a lot of boyfriends. You just haven't met the right guy yet and that's okay. You've got time, Mari." Callie comforted.

"Callie, even my own birth mom didn't want me." Mariana said, looking over at Callie.

Callie got up and sat down next to Mariana. "Hey, don't think like that." She said, putting her arm around Mariana. She finally put together where all of her insecurities about the subject came from.

"It's true and there's no denying it." Mariana replied. "And I was stupid when I thought she wanted to meet me just to meet me. Everyone always wants something out of me."

Callie took a deep breath. She knew she had to word this perfectly for Mariana to understand. "Ana did a lot of shit to you and Jesus and caused you a lot of pain and I wish that she didn't. Sometimes, people have children when they are not ready to take on the responsibility. But, Mari, she's the one who missed out. She couldn't get her life together to be a mom to you guys and that sucks to think about, but now you have two moms who love you. You guys are both really lucky to have wound up here, just like me and Jude. Your birth mom is an idiot for not wanting to actually get to know you. Anyone can be a mother, but not everyone can be a mom."

"I know I am lucky to be here, and I love my moms with my whole heart. I'm so frustrated for not being able to forget Ana and everything, but it's just stuck in my head or something." Mariana admitted.

"Don't get angry that you can't forget about her. Some memories you don't forget, but you can't let it take over your entire view on yourself. You just have to keep reminding yourself that you don't owe her anything. I know she's manipulated you by saying you were family, but she is not your family. We are. You have to remind yourself that this is where you belong and that she is not allowed to make you feel so upset anymore." Callie assured.

"I wish I could just forget everything that happened before I came here." Mariana said with her head down.

"Those memories are what make you... you. One day, you can prove to everyone 'this is where I started but THIS is where I am now.' This is gonna sound totally cliché but, you're a strong girl. A lot stronger than you think. I sometimes forget you were in the same situations me and Jude were. I admit, I get jealous of how much better you came out of it." Callie admitted.

"Really?" Mariana asked with wide eyes.

"Of course. You're strong, smart, beautiful and everything in between. Eventually the right person will see that. Don't put yourself down because things haven't worked out in the past. Don't change yourself for them, because that never works in the end." Callie continued.

"How did you get so good at this?" Mariana said with a small laugh as she wiped her tears off her cheek.

"Good at what?" Callie asked.

"Like, talking to people. Advice. That kinda stuff." Mariana answered.

"Good question. I'm not sure." Callie said laughing.

"Well, thank you. I'm glad I have you." Mariana said as she went in to hug Callie.

Callie hugged back. "You're welcome Mari. I'm glad I have you, too."

"I'm gonna go wash my face and stuff. I probably look like a mess." Mariana said, getting up to go to the bathroom.

Callie went back to her bed and picked up her phone to text Emmet. She hadn't gone to school the next day after seeing Ray, and hadn't responded to Emmet's messages.

Hey, sorry I haven't texted you. Just needed time. I'm a lot better now. Sorry you had to see all that though.

Callie pressed send then closed her eyes until her phone buzzed.

Don't apologize, it's okay. I was just worried about 'ya. Will you be at school tomorrow?

Callie read the message then typed her response.

Don't worry about me. And yea I'll be there :) I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Callie put her phone on the nightstand and stood up to go downstairs. She didn't feel like staying in her room any longer. She went downstairs and saw Jesus playing video games in the den.

"Hey Jesus, can I play?" Callie asked, sitting down in the chair.

"You wanna play Call of Duty?" Jesus said as he paused his game.

Callie laughed. "And what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing." Jesus said. "You're just gonna get creamed. I'm pretty bad ass at this game if I do say so myself." He said as he stretched his arms in front of him and above him like a big shot.

"Oh shut up and give me a controller. It's on." Callie said, getting comfortable on the couch.

As Callie sat on that couch, she realized this was the life she wanted. She wanted to be the shoulder to cry on for Mariana, and she wanted Brandon as her older brother to protect her from douche bags, and she wanted Jesus to challenge in Call of Duty, and of course her Jude to help with his homework. She wanted Stef and Lena to be her parents and be nothing short of amazing at it. Somehow, she wound up here, and this is exactly where she wanted to be.

Okay, someone pointed out last chapter the whole Jeff thing. I originally had Ray's name as Jeff but changed it. I was rushing because I was supposed to leave and I wanted to get the update to you guys so I didn't have time to read it over so I am sorry! Haha. But I really wanted to do a chapter like this for some reason. I hope you guys like it?! Please keep reviewing. Those are what keep me going! Tell m what you think! xoxoxo