Callie's Choice Chapter 7
Callie was approved to sign a six month lease on the apartment. She could move in at any time, but she wanted to get some cleaning done and make minor improvements before she was ready to move anything into it. She wanted it done quickly, so she wouldn't be paying rent on an apartment she wasn't even living in yet.
The first day was all about cleaning. After she worked on Saturday, Callie and Brandon headed to the apartment. Together they tackled the kitchen and bathroom.
She was mopping and Brandon was wiping down the inside of the refrigerator. "I can't believe how much all this cleaning stuff costs. It took a big dent out of my grocery money." Callie sighed..
"I told you not to worry about that. I've got it covered." Brandon assured her. I am going to be spending a lot of time here, you know."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Well then, we'll need to fill your kitchen with sodas and chips and munchies." he said as he washed his hands in the kitchen sink.
"No way, I have to budget my grocery money carefully. And there is definitely no budget for junk food. You're going to have to settle with yogurt and granola." She smiled as he looked at her with a pouty face. "That's not gonna work."
"I will learn to settle then." Brandon promised.
Callie scanned the apartment. "Okay," she said as she plopped the mop into the bucket. "I think it's pretty much as clean as it can get."
"Good, because I'm getting wrinkled fingers."
"It's payback for when you abandoned me and left me to clean all the stuff found we in the garage."
"Touché..."
Callie raised her eyebrows and nodded her head in agreement. She went to the sink and washed her hands too.
"So what's next, m'lady?"
"We are officially done for the night."
"Awesome. Because to be honest, I don't want to see another scrub brush or cleaning rag for a very long time."
"Well, you're going be tired of paint and rollers tomorrow, mister. Bring your painting clothes. It's goin' down."
"Actually these might be my painting clothes. I'm sorry. I'll have to delegate tomorrow." He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him.
"I'm gross..."
"Never." He kissed her and she didn't stop him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and let him continue with his tender kisses.
She stopped him for a moment and told him,"Do not think that in any way this show of affection will get you out of painting duty."
"I didn't think so."
"Good." She stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. "Just so we're clear." she added in between kisses.
"MmmHmm" he barely acknowledged.
When they got back to the house, they went up to their respective bedrooms. Marianna was sitting on her bed painting her nails. Callie went to her dresser and got some pajamas to change into after her shower.
"So how was cleaning day?" Marianna asked.
"Disgusting. You know, basically how you would expect it to be." Callie answered.
"Sorry I couldn't help." Marianna had extra studying to do and practice today.
"It's okay. I can count on you tomorrow though, right?"
"Of course. I promised. Besides, I wouldn't miss the chance to radically change the colors of some walls!"
"Well I don't know about 'radically', but your help is really appreciated."
"No problem."
She looked at Marianna's nails. "So that is pretty much a waste of effort..." she smiled as she nodded towards her wet nails.
"I'm practicing." she said proudly, holding out her hand to admire her work.
Callie laughed a little, took her pajamas and headed to the bathroom. She ran into Brandon, who was already halfway through the door.
"Come on Brandon!"
"Hey, first come first serve."
"Are you kidding me? I worked all day. I'm grosser than you are."
"Rules are rules..." he smirked. "Rock, paper scissors for it?"
"Are you serious?"
He looked wide eyed at her and shrugged a little.
"Okay fine."
They both held out their hand and fist.
"One, two, three" Brandon counted.
He had paper, she had rock.
"It was destiny." he said as he closed the door in her face.
"Unbelievable..." she murmured as she headed back into her bedroom.
"Bad luck." Marianna commented.
"Yeah." she said disappointedly.
"Kinda weird..." Marianna started.
"What is?" Callie asked her as she plopped on her bed.
"Like, you guys. You're all normal. Fighting for the shower?"
"We are normal. We all fight for the bathroom. And we've all been known to rock, paper, scissors for it sometimes."
"I guess I thought everything was going to be different for you guys."
"You're still a little freaked out, aren't you?"
"I guess so. Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. I'll be out of here and out of your hair in no time."
"I am pretty stoked about having the room all to myself."
"Yeah." Callie smiled.
"Oh I didn't mean it like that! I am totally going to miss you. Nothing but boys. I'm completely outnumbered."
"Maybe we can have a girls' night at my place." Callie suggested.
"Oh my god, that would be so much fun!"
"What would be so much fun?" Lena asked as she poked her head in the door.
"Callie is going to have me over for a girls' night!"
"Oh, that does sound fun! When? I want to be sure to clear my schedule."
"Uhhh..." Marianna looks at Callie for help.
"I'm just kidding!" Lena laughed. "It will be good for you girls."
Lena looks at Callie with her pajamas in her lap. "Outmaneuvered for the shower I see?"
"You have no idea." Callie answered.
"Better stake your claim in line while you can." Lena suggested as she left, nodding toward Jesus and Jude's room.
Callie got up quickly and ran to the bathroom door. She slid down the wall and sat on the floor next to the door.
"Really?" Jesus asked as he came out of his room.
"Hey, first come, first serve." she answered sarcastically.
"Can we rock..."
"Not a chance." She laughed.
After her shower, Callie went downstairs to the kitchen. Stef was there finishing a grocery list.
"It's pretty late. I thought you'd be exhausted."
"Hunger won out over exhaustion." She opened the refrigerator and scanned the possibilities.
"I know you know Momma and I aren't thrilled about this. But I want to tell you I'm proud of you. You're really taking charge and being very responsible." She smiled.
"Thanks."
Stef gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead. She looked in the refrigerator with Callie. "I would stay clear of the blue tupperware..."
"Thanks for the advice." Callie told her as she started to leave. "Tell Lena, too."
"Do I want to know?"
She just smiled and shook her head. She pulled out the blue tupperware and peeked inside. The smell made her make a sour face. She quickly closed the lid, put it back and shut the door.