Callie slipped up and self harmed in the early morning. She hadn't done much damage, just enough to calm her down. Things were going really well for her but all of a sudden she began feeling so upset that she could no longer take it. So, as quiet as possible, she snuck into the bathroom. She did get the relief she was searching for, but was now dealing with the guilt. Callie knew she should tell her moms, but she knew that they finally began trusting her and she didn't want to ruin it. So, her situation right now was figuring out how to keep it a secret. She decided on just a simple sweater and went downstairs to eat breakfast with the rest of the family.
"Mornin' sweets." Stef said as Callie entered.
"Morning." Callie said, hoping her paranoia didn't shine through her response.
Callie sat down next to Jesus and quietly began eating a bowl of honey nut cheerios. Lena gave Stef a look. Stef shrugged in response.
"Alright guys, be in the car in 5 minutes or you're finding another way to school." Lena called out as she grabbed her keys.
Callie finished her cereal and put her dish in the sink. Everyone grabbed their bookbags and piled into the car.
"So, Jude, are you excited for your field trip today?" Lena asked.
Jude's class was going to the history museum today.
"Yea! I've never been there before." Jude exclaimed.
"We've gone a few times. There'e some pretty cool stuff there." Jesus told Jude.
"And I think a new exhibit just opened about pirates." Brandon added.
"Cool! This will be my first time on a field trip." Jude said with a smile reaching both of his ears.
Callie smiled at the sight of Jude. Guilt began sinking in again as she thought about what she had done. She quickly tried getting the thought out of her head and looked ahead. As soon as they pulled into their normal parking spot, everyone jumped out.
"Have fun on your field trip. I can't wait to hear all about it." Callie said as she squeezed Jude's shoulders.
"Everyone have a good day. Meet here at the end of the day, okay?" Lena said, getting the last of her belongings out of the car.
Everyone nodded and went to their lockers. Callie kept her arms folded across her chest. She felt someones arms wrap around her from behind and she jumped.
"Just me." Emmet smiled.
"You scared me." Callie weakly laughed.
Emmet leaned down and kissed Callie then looked at her.
"Everything okay?" He asked.
Was it noticeable? Could everyone tell?
"Yea, I just didn't get much sleep last night." Callie wasn't lying completely, she really didn't get much sleep.
"Whatever you say. You can talk to me though if you need to, ya know.: Emmet reminded.
"Of course I know. I have to go to physics. I'll see you at lunch." Callie kissed Emmet on the cheek and walked towards her classroom.
Most of the day went by relatively normal, a bit slow if anything. Callie just wanted to get home and go to sleep. She really was tired. She stood by the car waiting for everyone else. It wasn't uncommon for her to be the first one there. Soon, she saw Brandon walking out the door and nearing towards the car.
"Hey." He said.
"Hey." Callie responded, looking at her nails.
"What's up with you? Is it Emmet?" Brandon asked.
"Nothing. I just didn't sleep well." Callie answered.
"Hmm. Just know if Emmet ever did anything to you, I'd kick his ass." Brandon smiled.
"He wouldn't do anything. But yea, I think I know that.." Callie gave a half hearted smile.
Callie and Brandon saw the rest of the family heading towards the car.
"Sorry we're late." Lena unlocked the car.
Everyone got into the car. Callie leaned her head against Jesus's shoulder, about to fall asleep. She must have dozed off, because when she opened her eyes, they were already home. Callie took off her shoes and went upstairs. She quickly changed to a pair of sweat pants and layed down in her bed. Downstairs, Jude was discussing his field trip with Lena.
"It was so cool! They had real cannons and swords that they found on the coast of a beach! And a whole exhibit of differet kinds of skulls!" Jude said excitedly.
"Sounds awesome, bud! So you had a good first field trip?" Lena responded.
"Yea. It was my first museum too." Jude said.
"Really?" Lena was surprised, but then again she wasn't.
"Yea. No other foster homes would pay for me to go on field trips and they never brought us anywhere that often." Jude explained.
"Well," Lena began, "Looks like we've got a summer full of trips to museums."
"Really?" Jude's eyes widened with excitement.
"Sure thing. We haven't gone in a long time as a family anyways. I'm sure everyone would love to go." Lena smiled.
"I can't wait!" Jude said.
"Neither can I." Lena said, putting her hand on Jude's back.
"I have to go do my math homework from yesterday." Jude said.
"Okay. If you need any help just let me know. We'll tell you when dinner is ready." Lena replied.
Jude ran upstairs to do his homework and saw Callie upstairs in bed. He walked into the room and shook Callie.
"Callie?" He asked gently.
Callie groaned and turned over. "Yea?"
"Are you okay?" Jude asked nervously.
"Yea. Fine bud. Just super tired. I'll be fine after my nap. Wake me up before dinner please?" Callie resopnded.
Jude nodded and went to do his homework. As promised, when Lena called for dinner, Jude retrieved Callie from her bed. Callie slowly made her way downstairs. She could smell spaghetti, one of Lena's best meals.
"Why, hey there sleepy head. Nice of you to join us." Stef joked.
Callie let out a yawn and sat down at the table. Everyone discussed their day at school, and Jude told everyone about what he told Lena. They all agreed to go to all the museums over the summer.
"Callie, how was school?" Lena asked, taking a bite of garlic bread.
"It was fine." Callie responded.
"Did Timothy grade your paper?" Lena asked,
"Yea. I got a 97." Callie said almost emotionless.
"That's wonderful. You should be proud." Stef said.
Callie shrugged and continued eating. Once everyone was finished, Stef and Lena began the dishes as Mariana, Jesus, Jude and Brandon ran off to finish their homework. Callie was very slow and groggy.
"Love, can you help me and mama put dishes away?" Stef asked. She was going to take the opprotunity to see if Callie would talk to them.
Callie walked over to them and began putting the dishes in their proper cabinets. Callie was to sleepy to realize her sleeve slipping. Before she could do anything about it, Stef was already eyeing her.
"Callie, what was that?" Stef asked, well aware of what it was.
"N-nothing." Callie said, fidgeting with her sleeves.
"When were you planning on telling us?" Stef wasn't angry, just frustrated. Callie was doing so well.
By now, Lena had turned around to face Callie.
"I-i wasn't." Callie admitted.
"Why not?" Lena questioned.
"Because I wanted you guys to trust me." Callie responded.
"Well, it's hard to trust you when you're not coming to us. How are we supposed to help if you don't tell us what's going on? Did something happen?" Stef had her arms crossed.
"Nothing happened." Callie said.
"Then why did you do it?" Lena asked.
"I don't know I just- did it. That's another reason I didn't want to tell you guys. I look stupid for having no reason. I was just upset." Callie looked at her feet.
"Love you don't look stupid. Have you been taking your medicine?" Stef asked.
"Y-no. I didn't think I needed to. I was doing good." Callie admitted.
Callie had been given Prozac by her psychiatrist.
"Callie honey, taking your medicine is not an option. Even if you think you can do without it, you need to take it. This is a prime example." Lena lectured.
"I just don't want to take it anymore." Callie said with frustration.
"And why is that?" Stef asked.
"Because. I shouldn't have to take a pill to be happy. Not even happy, just normal." Callie responded. "I look helpless."
"Callie, that's not true. It's not your fault you need to take it. It's a chemical imbalance. You're not helpless." Lena replied.
"It makes me weak. I shouldn't need it." Callie added.
"When a cancer patient goes in for chemotherapy, does that make them weak?" Stef asked.
"No, but that's different." Callie responded.
"How is it different? They need it to help them get better, just like you need your medicine. It's not your fault." Stef comforted.
Callie was silent. She didn't know how to respond.
"Sweetie, we're not mad at you." Lena reminded.
"We just love you and want you to be happy. We want you to talk to us no matter what." Stef added.
"You can't help it if you're upset. Just tell us and we will do everything in our power to help you, okay?" Lena continued.
Callie nodded her head. She still didn't know what to say. Lena gave Callie a hug.
"I'll be right back. I have to use the bathroom." Lena said.
She walked out, leaving only Callie and Stef.
"Love, we want to trust you, we really do, but when you keep secrets you're just taking a step back." Stef said, breaking the silence.
Callie sighed. "I'm sorry, mom. It was stupid of me to try and keep it a secret. I should have known you'd find out sooner or later."
"Mother's know everything. I could already tell something was wrong. Mothers intutition." Stef winked.
Callie smiled.
"Come here, love bug." Stef said opening her arms. Callie quickly took the invitation. "I love you, okay? We aren't giving up on you." Stef kissed the top of Callie's head.
Lena entered back into the kitchen. She saw the scene already happening and decided to make it a mama sandwich. The three stood in the middle of the kitchen for what seemed like forever, but Callie didn't mind.
Hi guys. Thanks for the reviews. I wanted to make Callie cut but not because something big happened, just because she was upset. Sometimes people don't have a "reason" to self harm, they just do it when they're upset. But keep reviewing! I miss you guys! More requests are welcome. Much love, xoxoxo