Callie

"What songs can you play?"

I turn my attention away from my guitar strumming to look at Mariana who is spinning around in her computer chair. We're in our pajamas, just wasting time before we have to go to bed.

"I don't know," I answer with a shrug, "A few. I've figured out parts of songs but I'm still working on it."

Mariana nods, "Brandon can play a few songs from this century on the piano, but mostly he plays boring classical stuff."

I laugh a little, "Yeah, I've noticed."

Mariana stands up and waves her hand at me, "Follow me." She simply says before stalking out of the room, "With your guitar!" she calls over her shoulder. I shake my head a little and do what she says because 'Miss Thing' has a way of getting what she wants.

I see her ponytail for a moment before it disappears into Brandon's room. I follow cautiously, unsure of what we're doing in here. Brandon strewn across his bed with his phone looking just as confused as me.

"We're bored," Mariana sighs. I give her a look and she amends her statement, "Okay, I'm bored. Play something on the piano, I want to listen. But not something some old guy wrote."

Brandon's gaze flicks lazily over to me, "Do you see this? She has the audacity to march into my room, demand I play for her and then diss the musical geniuses whose music has made me who I am. The nerve."

I laugh and Mariana rolls her eyes, "Stop being so dramatic!" she says, reaching over to tug on his arm, "Let's go downstairs." Brandon groans and huffs but puts up no true fight in following Mariana.

Jesus pokes his head out of his room as we pass by, "What're you guys doing?" he asks curiously.

"Brandon's playing the piano," Mariana answers, "Get Jude and come down."

We get to the living room, Jesus and Jude a few steps behind us. Brandon plops down at the piano. I take a seat in one chair and everyone else squishes on the couch.

"Any requests?" Brandon asks, scratching his head.

"Dark Horse?"

Jesus shoots Mariana an 'are you kidding me' look, "No."

"I have no idea how to play that. Another song?"

Mariana shrugs, "I don't know. It has to be something easy so Callie can play the chords."

I raise my eyebrow at this, "I wasn't aware we were putting on a show."

"Well duh," Mariana says, "Why else would I make you bring your guitar?"

"What about Imagine?" Jude asks quietly. I share a look with him. It was one of my mom's favorite songs. It was a song she would yell at the top of her lungs in the car or trill as a lullaby to get us to sleep.

"I can do that," Brandon answers, positioning his fingers on the keyboard, "Callie?"

I nod and adjust the guitar in my lap.

"One, two, three."

It's a rocky start: I start late and Brandon hits a wrong key but eventually we get it together and start to sound somewhat decent. We manage to get through the first couple of lines before Jesus begins belting out the lyrics.

"Imagine all the people! Living life in peace, YOO-HOOOOOO!"

He's howling like a dog and Mariana is hitting him with a pillow but he won't stop. Jude is laughing hysterically and I'm trying to keep my own laughter under control so I don't botch the song.

"Shut UP!" Mariana moans, covering her ears with her hands.

"Sing with me, Jude!" Jesus exclaims, wrapping his arms around Mariana's shoulders so that she's forced to put her hands down and listen. Jude joins in and at this point they're not even singing, just yelling in Mariana's ear as she shrieks and giggles and tries to get away.

Brandon is playing louder and singing as well and I can barely keep up as I continue to laugh.

I don't want this night to end.

Stef

"I love our kids," I declare as I walk into my bedroom. Lena is sitting on the edge of the bed and I imagine she has been listening to them these past couple of minutes. I went down there because they were getting pretty loud, but didn't have the heart to say anything because they looked so carefree and happy and like kids.

"Yes," Lena muses, "And Callie and Jude as well?"

That's right. They're not really ours.

It's funny; I seem to forget that a lot these days. When Lena mentions 'the kids,' my mind immediately includes the Jacob siblings. They have been with us for quite some time now and I just think of them as one of us. I turn back to Lena who I realize I haven't answered.

"Um, so how was work today?" I ask and Lena smirks because she knows what my answer would have been if I had vocalized it; she just wants to hear me say it. Thankfully, she drops it.

"Actually," she says, scooting back on the bed, "I had a talk with Karina, about Callie."

I raise an eyebrow, "What about Callie?" Lena sighs and I prepare myself for what she's about to say. I take a seat on the bed as well and look up at her.

"Well," she begins, "She's concerned that for all the time Callie has been at Anchor Beach, she's made no attempt at making friends or getting involved in school activities."

I roll my eyes, "She has more important things to worry about besides hanging out at the mall and glee club."

Lena nods her head, "I agree, but Karina is writing a progress report for Callie, one that will be coming to you and that you will have to show to Captain Roberts. Believe me, I want her to pass just as much as you do. In order to make that happen, Callie needs to make a place for herself."

Easier said than done.

Of course I'll be the one aiding the 'doing' part of this task seeing as Callie is my parolee. I'm not sure where I'll start. I know Callie is interested in guitar, but there isn't a club for that. She doesn't seem like the sporty type either…

"I'll find something for her," I say determinedly, "I will."

Lena cups my cheek and leans over to peck my lips, "I have no doubts."

Callie

An hour or so after the impromptu singing session, I'm in bed and the lights are off.

"That was fun," Mariana's voice floats over to me in the dark room.

I nod, knowing full well she can't really see me, "Yeah," I agree, "It was."

Mariana bids me goodnight and I listen to the familiar sound of her settling into bed. When did this happen? When did I become able to call things at the Foster's house familiar? As I lie here, listening to the sounds of Mariana breathing, Brandon tapping away at his keyboard, Jesus tapping his foot and Stef and Lena moving about their bedroom, I realize just how comfortable I've gotten living with the Fosters, being part of their family.

I've never let a family get so close to me in years.

With shame, I recognize how deep I've fallen. How could I be so stupid? And now Jude thinks he's safe and that everything is good from now on and its not.

It never is.

I roll over onto my side so that I'm facing the wall. This is completely unacceptable. It sucks, because this is the first time in such a long time we've been safe and…and happy. And it won't last; this I know for a fact. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but tomorrow I need to begin the process of becoming less reliant on Stef and Lena and more reliant on myself again.

Stef

Marine Biology Club

Glee Club

Habitat for Humanity

Debate Team

I'm sitting at the kitchen table with a mug of coffee, going through the Anchor Beach extracurricular catalog Lena gave me and so far nothing has caught my attention as something Callie would be in to. I hear some footsteps and look up. Speak of the devil.

"Good morning, Callie," I greet, "How'd you sleep?" She shrugs and sits across from me at the table. I flip the catalog around and slide it over to her.

"This book contains the clubs Anchor Beach offers," I tell her, "How about you―"

"No."

I raise an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

"I said no."

Whoa. Attitude.

I thought we had made it past this ever since Callie let me in on the whole Liam situation. I wouldn't go as far as to say she was completely comfortable with us, but we haven't seen this defiance in quite some time.

I fold my hands as I try to remain patient, "May I ask why not?"

Callie shrugs, "I just don't want to."

"That's not a good enough reason."

She rolls her eyes, "Fine, because I think it's stupid."

"What's stupid?"

"Everything!" Callie pushes away from the table and stomps into the backyard.

Well then.

"Hey, Babe," I hear Lena before I see her. She moves into the kitchen, fingers combing through her hair as she walks. She kisses my cheek and sits next to me, reaching for my mug so that she can steal a sip.

"Have you found anything?" she asks, nodding her head at the catalog.

I shake my head, "No, and according to Callie, this is stupid."

She furrows her eyebrows, "She said that? Why?"

I shrug, "Beats me. She seems angry and I don't know why. It's very…sudden."

"Do you think it has to do with Liam?"

I can't help but shudder internally when I hear his name, "I don't know; maybe. Thankfully she has group today. I called Dr. Kodema and gave her a heads up."

"Good." Lena stands up and heads to the fridge to get some ingredients out to make breakfast, "Callie needs to open up."

I snort, "Easier said than done."

Callie

I feel a little bad for snapping at Stef like that. It's just so frustrating to have her worrying so much about my 'well-being' and the 'progress' I'm making when I know full well that it's all just going to be a waste. I hear the back door open and I see Jude.

"Hey, Baby," I say, patting the seat next to me, "Come here."

He walks over and takes a seat next to me. I wrap my arm around his shoulders as soon as soon as he's close enough, "So I want to talk to you about something."

I feel Jude tense up immediately, "What?"

"I just…you know we're not going to be here forever, right?"

Jude sighs, "Well, yeah…"

"Jude."

"Stef promised!" He tells me earnestly, "She said that this would be the last place for us until Bill found us something permanent."

"I know, Jude," I soothe, rubbing his shoulders, "But when has a foster parent ever kept their promise?" He gets silent at this and I know I've made my point. "I'm not trying to bum you out, I just don't want you to get caught off guard." He nods silently, eyes downcast. I pull Jude close a kiss his head.

"I love you, Baby."

"Love you, too."

Stef

"Callie, are you ready to leave?" I call up the stairs as I pull on a jacket near the front door. She makes her way down slowly and begrudgingly. She crosses her arms and quirks an eyebrow at me and it takes everything I have not to lose it at the amount of attitude she is giving me at the moment. I take a deep breath.

"Is there something bothering you, Callie?" I ask calmly.

"I thought we were leaving." She says, completely disregarding my question.

"I asked you a question."

She rolls her eyes and pushes past me for the front door. I press my hand against the door before she can get it open, "Look at me, Callie." I say in a quiet tone. I wait as she thinks for a bit before finally turning around and looking up at me, "What's wrong, Honey?"

Callie groans, "Oh my god, nothing!"

"Watch the tone." I warn her, "Clearly something is bothering you―"

"Nothing is bothering me!" she exclaims in an exasperated voice, "I'm going to be late." This time, she disappears out the front door before I can stop her.

Oh, Callie.

Lena

I'm sitting in the living room, just reading a book, when I see Jude walk past. He looks a little down and I don't know what could have happened between last night and right this moment for him to look so upset. "Jude?" I say, catching his attention, "Can you come here please?" He glances up towards the stairs, as if looking for someone, before slowly making his way towards me.

"Take a seat," I say, scooting over a bit on the couch. He does, but he sits a considerable distance from me.

Weird.

"Is everything okay, Buddy?" I ask gently, "You seem a little off."

Jude nods but doesn't make eye contact, "I'm fine."

"You don't really sound fine to me, Jude." I tell him, ducking my head down a bit, "There's nothing you can't talk to me and Stef about."

He glances at me momentarily and looks away again. He lets out a breath before finally asking me in a quiet voice, "I…are you guys going to send us away?"

My eyes widen, "W-what?"

"Are you going to send me and Callie away?"

"Of course not," I say firmly, shaking my head, "No, Jude. Why would you even ask that?"

Jude shrugged, "Well, Callie told Stef about Liam and said we might have to leave now―"

"Slow down, Bud." I say, putting my hand on his knee, "Callie told you that?" He nods nervously. I tilt his head up with my finger so that he meets my eyes, "Jude, when we said we wanted our house to be your last way station, we meant it. You guys have had a rough couple of years; you deserve a lot better than what you've been given which is why Stef and I are making sure we find a good home for you guys."

Jude absorbs this all for a moment. He looks up at me, biting his lip, "Promise?"

"I promise," I tell him solemnly and pull him into a hug. His arms wrap around me and I run a hand through his hair. He's reassured. Now we just need to make sure Callie feels the same way.

Callie

I don't know if I'm just being paranoid, but it seems like Dr. Kodema is staring at me. Not just glancing to make sure I'm paying attention but full on staring. I shift in my seat and turn my head so that I'm looking directly at the kid who is talking and still, I can see Dr. Kodema in my peripheral vision.

She's freaking me out.

"Thank you, Sean." I hear her say, "Alright that's it for today. You guys are free to go and I'll see you later on this week." Everyone gets up and heads for the doors immediately because who would want to stay at group any longer than they had to? I'm almost at the door when Dr. Kodema's voice stops me.

"Callie? Could I speak to you for a moment?"

I grimace and slowly turn around, "I think Stef is waiting for me outside…"

"I'm sure she'll understand."

It takes everything I have not to roll my eyes as I make my way over to where she is sitting.

"So how do you like group so far?"

I shrug, "It's okay I guess."

"And how about living with the Fosters?"

"It's fine." Why is she asking me these questions?

Dr. Kodema crosses her legs and clasps her knee with both her hands, "Stef called me with a concern she had. Is there anything you'd like to talk to me about? Something you wouldn't want to share in front of the others?"

She didn't.

Stef did not tell Dr. Kodema about Liam. Christ, she probably thinks I'm a headcase. Don't I have a say in what Stef tells this woman? It wasn't my choice to come here; she's lucky I don't skip in the first place, and now she pulls this?

I shoot up out of my seat, "I really need to go." I speed walk for the door as Dr. Kodema rises from her seat.

"Callie―"

"I need to go!"

And I walk out.

It's pouring outside and I work at a camp that's all out doors. Whoopee.

I combined two chapters which is why this one is so long. Thank you guys for being so patient and for all the reviews! My life has been pretty hectic and I've had very little time to write. I'm very excited for the Foster's summer finale but then, what will I look forward to on Monday's? I'm leaving for college August 24th. I'm not leaving New York but I'll be dorming there and I'm very excited!

Please leave a review!

*Kisses!*

-Liv