Short chapter today sorry! I just had to continue this before I lost my train of thought! I will post a longer, better chapter later! xxx Lottie
Callie's POV
I couldn't help but cry when Brandon held me close to him like that. All the tears I had never cried over my mother, over my step-father, over the abuse.. they all came tumbling out like a flood that I couldn't stop. So stupid. So stupid and weak. He was seeing a side of me I never wanted anyone to see. But as stupid as it seemed, I felt safe. He held me so close to him, his arms wrapped around me and his head resting on mine, making me seem so small and protected. He held me for what seemed like hours, not saying a word. We heard the thuds of footsteps coming up the stairs, and we separated just in time to see Talya bounce up the remaining stairs. I wiped my eyes on my forearm, and steadied myself against the doorframe as Talya's smile turned into a tight lipped scowl.
"What's going on?" She demanded, crossing her arms and staring at me with all the intensity she could muster.
"Oh hey Talya," Brandon started, "What are you doing here?" He slid his hands into his pockets and matched her gaze.
"What do you mean what am i doing here? I'm your girlfriend not this little stray dog your family has taken in from who knows where!" Talya screamed, growing madder by the second.
"Woah you do not talk to Callie like that!" Brandon said at the same time I screamed back at her "Excuse me?!" My fists balled up in anger, and I could see her checking out the bruises on my body.
"You heard me, a beat up little stray!" She continued to tease, now yelling loud enough to be heard throughout the neighborhood. "And I told you to STAY AWAY from him!" Her eyes were wild and untameable, her anger rolling off of her in waves. She lunged at me, her fist connecting with my temple and sending me crashing to the floor. My head pounded and I couldn't see straight. I felt Brandon kneel beside me, shielding me with his own body.
"TAYLA!" Brandon screamed, putting more distance in between them. She looked scared and regretful, looking down at me with a mixture of hatred for me and hatred for herself. He marched up to her and grabbed her arm, leading her downstairs into the kitchen. I crept back into our shared room and finished changing, wiping my eyes repeatedly and trying to put up my cold exterior again. I heard them shouting at each other, the words vibrating through the wood floors. I could barely make out what they were saying, except for at the end when I heard Brandon yell "Get out!" and "I'm done!" and Tayla's crying and the door slamming as she ran out of the house. I sat on my bed, with my knees pulled up to my chest in my sweatpants and sweatshirt. Brandon had seen everything, he had seen me raw and exposed. I had let down my defenses and let him in, and it brought me an uneasiness and an uncertainty. My head was still spinning from Tayla's blow and from when my head crashed against the floor. Brandon appeared a few minutes later, holding a mug of tea and an ice pack. He kneeled down beside my bed, placing his hand over my knee.
"Callie I don't know where to start. I am so sorry. About her, about everything..." He trailed off, handing me the ice pack and the tea. I clutched it close to me, breathing in the warmth. My head stopped spinning, and I was able to focus on his blue eyes, so filled with emotions it was terrifying.
"Please," I muttered, "Don't tell anyone. They'll send me away. Please." He met my eyes, nodding once, before sitting next to me on my bed. "I just need to sleep." I said, leaning my head onto his shoulder. He wrapped his one arm around my back, pulling me closer to him. I closed my eyes, exhausted, and before I knew it, the world went dark.
xxx