Chapter 5.

Callie woke up feeling as if she could take on the world. She left Brandon sleeping, and quickly got dressed and went to the kitchen, planning to make a special breakfast. She decided to make french toast, and as she dipped the bread slices in beaten egg, she even hummed a tune to herself. The more she thought about it, the less fear she felt about Liam's threats. Waking up in Brandon's arms, then cooking in the sun-filled kitchen, made her fears seem almost like a dream.

"Something smells good," said Brandon, coming into the room. "And there's the little woman." He came up behind her, and kissed her.

"Oh dear," said Callie, placing her had over her heart. "I forgot to put on my breakfast-cooking pearls."

Brandon laughed and kissed her again. "Did you sleep okay?"

Callie nodded, setting two plates of food on the kitchen table. "But only because I was with you." She sat down in a chair, next to him. "You know... I've been thinking. Worrying about Liam like I have been isn't going to do me any good. I don't want to live in fear, over something that might never happen."

"Yeah?" Brandon asked, spearing a piece of french toast on his fork.

"Yeah," Callie replied. "This isn't the first time he's threatened me. Maybe he is just all talk?"

Brandon shrugged. "Maybe... but I wouldn't take any chances."

"I just want to enjoy this weekend, Brandon," she told him. "When are we ever going to be alone like this again? I don't want to waste it worrying."

Brandon seemed unsure. "How about I worry for you, Cal?"

Callie smiled to herself, but then, her face grew serious as a thought played on her mind. "There's something I need to tell you."

"Hmm?" Brandon asked.

Callie took a deep breath. "Remember last night, when I told you about Liam, and how he used bad things I've done against me?"

"Yeah," Brandon nodded.

"Well," Callie began. I want to tell you about the bad things."

"Cal... you don't have to," Brandon said, stopping her. "I told you. I already know everything I need to know about you."

"But I want to," Callie protested. "I need to." If he heard some of the things she did, and he still liked her, she's know he was a keeper. Of course, Liam pretended to like her after she confided in him, and it was all a lie, gathering information he could use later to blackmail her. But Brandon would never do that.

"Okay," Brandon answered, seeing her need to confess whatever it was she did. "I'm listening."

"It's like this," Callie began. "When I was younger, in the other foster homes, I was going through a lot. Even before Liam. Jude and I lived with a few families that were pretty bad... they'd beat us... among other things. There was even a time we had to be separated, because there were no families who would take us both. Around that time, I started doing bad things." She voice shook as she spoke. "Even though foster kids get money from the government, we never got to use any of it, so I started stealing. It started with a few dollars from my foster parents. But then, I started shoplifting. Most of it was things I needed, like deodorant, and socks, and tampons. But then I also started taking things I didn't really need, like make-up, and candy, and clothes... things like that. I'd also sneak into the movies a lot. I feel really bad about it now. There's no excuse for stealing, and I wish I could pay it all back. But back then, I felt like the world owed me, and I was just taking what was mine." She paused, trying to read Brandon's face, and saw that he wasn't judging her. She decided to continue. "I was also doing really bad in school. We got moved around so much, we were never in a school for very long, and Jude and I were both way behind our classmates. So, I started cheating. I got caught in seventh grade, copying math problems from the teacher's book, and I got suspended. I also got into fights at school, and with my foster siblings. And when... when Jude and I got separated, I started cutting. I just couldn't handle it. We've always been a package deal. All I could think about was that he was alone, and he needed me. I was basically his mom." She turned over her wrists to show Brandon her faded scars. "I don't do that anymore... the last time I cut was after Liam... you know." Brandon nodded, and Callie looked down once her speech was finished. "Do you still like me after hearing all that?"

Brandon took her hand, then pulled her into her lap. "Of course I still like you." He kissed her, nuzzling her face. "Maybe even more, now, if that's possible."

"Why?" Callie asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Because I just do," Brandon replied. "Callie, you're a survivor. And the things you did don't make you who you are. All that happened a long time ago, and I probably would've done the same things under the circumstances you had to live with. You had a really hard life. I still think you're amazing." He kissed her again, longer. "Just trust me, okay? Trust that my feelings for you won't change, no matter what you say or do. Because I promise they won't."

He's a keeper, Callie thought. She pulled his head down to hers and kissed him. "It's always been hard for me to trust people." She'd been hurt by everyone she cared about, except Jude. To trust someone was a scary leap of faith, that usually meant her heart would be broken once again. Yet something told her, deep in her heart, that this time was different.

Brandon stood up, with her in his arms. Crossing the room, he carried her to the living room couch, and sunk into it with her in his arms. Their lips clashed as he leaned in to kiss her. He continued kissing her, over and over, until they were caught up in a full-on make-out session. When there was a pause, a moment to catch their breath, Callie looked straight into his eyes. "I trust you."

To Be Continued... this story will most likely change to an M rating in the next chapter. I don't think this site notifies readers when M rated stories are updated, so if you want to keep reading, PLEASE be sure to check back often, because I'll be updating the story regularly, as usual. Thanks a bunch for the support!