Here's the second chapter!
Thanks for those who reviewed. I'm glad you like it!
I apologise for being really bad at ending chapters, I'm so bad unless it's drama/angst, and although this will include some of that, I didn't want to throw you in the deep end too quickly.
One thing I wanted to ask - how in depth would you like me to go into what's going on with the rest of the family? It is a Callie/Ximena fic, but I do obviously want to at least touch on whats going on with everyone else. Although there appears to be a lot going on in the show at the moment, so I was just wondering how far you would like me to go with it?
Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter, and feel free to drop a review! It's much appreciated :)
"You were right, by the way," Callie confessed.
Once again, the girl was visiting her friend at the church. Since bringing her skates, Ximena had been adamant about teaching her younger friend how to skate. She was getting better – she could now just about stand up without her friend having her hold her hands. However, for some strange reason the found herself missing the contact. She put it down to the lack of security if she were to trip.
"You're going to have to clarify," Ximena teased, "I'm right about a lot of things."
"Cocky," the younger girl laughed, "about Aaron. He said that girl was his friend. He told me he didn't want to see anyone else."
"I told you not to jump to conclusions," the Latina reminded her, "assuming makes an-"
"Ass out of you and me," Callie continued, "yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before."
Her friend laughed and shook her head. The pair continued to move around the hall, Ximena teaching Callie how to skate backwards and do a few easy tricks. When they began to feel a bit tired out, they sat themselves down on the cold floor and drank from their water bottles.
"I've been meaning to ask," the older girl spoke suddenly, "what do you talk to Helen about the other day?"
"Oh," Callie let out, "I was just telling her I didn't think I would be applying for the art school this year and would transfer in instead, but she told me they frowned upon that and I would actually probably find it harder to get in."
Ximena nodded, "did you apply? For UCSD, I mean."
"Yeah," Callie sighed, continued when her friend gave her a prompting look, "I applied for the art school."
Her friend's face lit up when she heard the news, pulling the brunette into a crushing side hug.
"I'm proud of you," she beamed, "told you that you have courage. Another thing I was right about."
"What if I don't get in? Then what do I do?" The girl frowned.
"I'm sure you will," Ximena waved off, "and if you don't, you can always take a year out and reapply next year. Don't stress. Come on, let's get back to skating."
Callie groaned as Ximena pulled her off the ground. They talked about everything that came to their mind as they skated around the hall with the sun slowly setting outside. As it dipped towards the horizon, the sunlight caught the windows in a way that projected a beautiful array of colours onto the shiny floor. The older girl teased her friend that she was going slow, so she picked up the pace to prove her wrong. One foot in the wrong place though, sent her flying to the ground as she threw her hands out to brace her fall. Ximena quickly darted over to her when she heard the almighty thud.
"Cal, are you okay? Let me see your wrist," she urged, trying to gently pull her friends arm that she had clenched to her body towards her, "can you move your fingers?"
She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the younger girl's fingers move freely, albeit with a bit of discomfort portrayed by the quiet hiss and clenched facial expression. The older girl carefully turned her hand around to assess any swelling, apologising when her friend groaned in pain. Once she was happy with her evaluation, she untied the laces to her boots and slipped them off, doing the same for her friend since she was a bit hindered with only one hand.
Ximena stood up and offered Callie a hand, once again pulling her off the floor. She picked up both their shoes and attempted to carry both pairs of skates when Callie pushed her hand away, hoisting the pair she had been wearing under the arm which didn't have an injured wrist, "It's okay, I can carry something. I'm not that hurt."
"Well, we are still putting ice on that wrist regardless," Ximena said matter-of-factly as they walked out of the hall and towards her makeshift bedroom, "it's swollen and probably sprained."
"It's fine," Callie argued, to which she got a look from her friend.
"You're not getting out of it," she insisted, "now sit down."
The younger girl sulked towards the bed and sat on the edge, clasping her eyes closed as a jolt of pain made its way up her forearm. So much for it being fine.
She opened her eyes when she heard her friend come back in the room, carrying a bag of peas wrapped in a towel which she handed to her. It was surprising how much this church had in it. There was even a kitchen with a few appliances for keeping food and cooking.
Callie took the package from her a laid it carefully on top of the swelling, wincing at the combination of the coldness and the small amount of discomfort it caused upon contact, "how long do I have to keep it here?"
"Until I say so," Ximena kidded, "now stop whinging and sit back while I get on with some work."
Callie was sat around the table later that evening with her family, the already cramped table feeling even more so now that they had another person staying. Poppy had taken a seat between Jesus and Mariana on the opposite side of the table.
The family helped themselves to servings of Mama's homemade lasagne and side salad, the room buzzing with conversation about everyone's day.
Jesus confessed his usual annoyances of his aide, whilst Jude updated everyone on updates about his streaming deal. Apparently, Declan was still working his magic on the service, but was beginning to bring them round to the idea of including Taylor. Mariana was still having trouble deciding between which of the three guys that were interested in her she wanted to see more "exclusively", and Lena was trying to update everyone as much as she could about the possibility of Anchor Beach's future. Brandon was quiet - which was usual as of late - probably worried about Grace as he often was, as was their guest who was still getting used to the buzz of the busy family.
"How's your wrist, Cal?" Stef asked out of the blue when everyone had begun to quiet down to eat their food, causing everyone to look up questioningly at the pair.
Callie stopped mid chew and looked towards her Mom, swallowing what was in her mouth before replying, "what do you mean?"
"Ximena texted me," the blonde explained, "said you fell and hurt your wrist, but you probably wouldn't tell us."
Callie sighed and shook her head, "it's not a big deal. I'm fine."
"I'll be the judge of that," the cop laid down, "let me see."
The mother shut the girl down as she saw her mouth about to open in protest, causing her to give up her fight and surrender her arm to the woman. The cop studied the appendage, not missing the low whimper her daughter tried to hide behind the new hustle of conversation.
"It's still pretty swollen, love," the woman concluded, looking the brunette in the eyes, "I think we should get it checked out. Don't think I didn't notice you trying to use your other hand as much as possible."
"I only did it a few hours ago," Callie protested, "can't we go tomorrow if it's still bad?"
The cop gave her a look but sighed, holding her hands up in exasperation, "fine. But I'll be the judge of whether we go or not."
Her daughter nodded, accepting the compromise before joining in the family discussion of the best pizza topping.
"You're such a snitch," Callie joked as her friend's face popped up on her laptop screen. The pair were video chatting as they did every night.
"What do you mean?" The Latina grinned, pretending to be none the wiser of what her friend was talking about.
"Texting my Mom? Really? She made me hold ice on it for an hour, my hand is practically frozen solid," the younger girl declared with a pouty face.
"Well I knew you wouldn't say anything, so I had to," Ximena shrugged, "I'm surprised Stef didn't whisk you straight off to the ER."
"Oh, believe me, she wanted to," the brunette rolled her eyes, "but she said she would take me tomorrow if the swelling didn't go down."
"And is it?" Her friend questioned.
"No," Callie sighed, lifting her arm up to the camera to prove it, "looks like I know where I'm going tomorrow."
"As long as I get some of your company at some point," her older friend joked.
"I'm not sure if you deserve it," the girl teased. As the girls continued their conversation, Poppy came into the room, spotting her sister's face on the screen. Callie looked behind her when she heard someone come into the room and smiled at her friend's younger sister, beckoning her over and moving aside slightly on her chair before patting the newly made space beside her. The young Latina gratefully perched in the gap, waving to her sister with a grin.
"Hey Pops! How's Anchor Beach? Made any new friends yet?" Her older sister asked.
"Kind of. I mean, I still mostly hang around with Mariana, but I was talking to this girl in chemistry today. She seemed pretty cool," Poppy smiled before her face dropped again, "how're you?"
"I'm doing okay," her sister reassured her, "wish I could just leave, though. I miss you."
"I miss you too," the younger girl said sadly, "but at least we still get to see each other, right? I'll come see you tomorrow."
"I'm looking forward to it," Ximena smiled, "Do- do you know anything else about Mom and Dad yet?"
"No," Poppy sighed, "we still don't know where they're being detained. I'm scared, Ximena, what if they've already been deported? We didn't even get to say goodbye."
Callie watched sadly as the sisters talked about their family struggles. She hated watching them be torn apart like this, and to see them so torn apart. Poppy still couldn't have her big sister with her all the time to calm her nerves, and Ximena couldn't be there to always comfort her. It reminded Callie of the times her and Jude had been split from each other. She wished she could do more to help them, but the situation was complicated, and the legal issues were plentiful. They were still trying to work out how to keep the older girl in the country with her sister legitimately.
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the bedroom door.
"Lights out in 5," Stef announced as Mariana side-stepped past her into the room and clambered into her bed.
"But it's Friday?" Callie said, puzzled.
"And?" The blonde woman countered with a tilt of her head. Her daughter put her hands up in surrender, "I'm exhausted and want to sleep, so I think you should all get yourselves tucked up too. Would do you good to have an early night. You especially."
"Okay, okay," the brunette relented, "Sorry, X, looks like we gotta go."
"No worries," Ximena said, "see you tomorrow?"
"As always," her friend laughed.
"Bye, sis," Poppy waved as the video chat ended.
Callie closed her laptop before getting up from her chair and walking into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. When she walked back out, she bumped into her Mom on the landing as she came to tell everyone it was time for bed.
"How's your wrist now?" She asked softly, "and be honest."
"Still sore," the girl admitted, showing it to her.
"Looks like a trip to the ER tomorrow," Stef informed her, "now get yourself to bed. Goodnight, bug. I love you."
"Love you too," she replied as her mother pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head.
The verdict was a minor sprain which would probably heal within two or three weeks. The doctor said to take painkillers for any pain and to apply ice every few hours, much to Callie's dismay. Luckily, she had just avoiding having to wear a splint on the injury, but a bandage was recommended, and her Mom insisted.
After the trip the duo made their way back home so that they could pick up Poppy and drive to church.
"Nice bandage," Ximena greeted as the girls walked in, "sprain?"
"Yeah," Callie confirmed, "this is why I don't do sports."
"Yeah. Sure. That's why," the older girl joked.
"Hey! I'm not that bad," her friend laughed, pretending to be offended and playfully hitting her arm.
"You keep telling yourself that," the Latina grinned as she turned around to lead them all to her room.