The morning couldn't come quick enough for Callie. Her night had been lacking sleep and filled with deep-set dread and uncertainty. While her brother lay curled into her side, seeming to have no problem falling into a land of peaceful dreams, it had taken Callie's every strength not to get up and stretch her agitated legs. Every time the teen had come close to sleep, Lance's face would swim in front of her eyes, causing her to tense with fear and wrap her arms around Jude tighter and tighter. It never amounted to anything more than just her fuzzy, over-cautious mind playing tricks on her, yet she fell for it on every occasion until the rising, orange sun began to peak though the blinds and dawn broke the fear of darkness she had developed during the night.

Jude, however, was a little less impressed by the chirping birds and morning sun. Callie's tickles to wake him were met with squirms and a cranky pout, to which she couldn't help but giggle at before reinforcing her gesture so the younger boy would actually move. Jude, always one to please his sister, eventually understood Callie's urgency to get ready, and hopped off the bed and hurried into his own room, leaving Callie to set about doing her morning routine.

It had been a little harder than she'd anticipated changing into her jeans and t-shirt. The kicking from last night had most definitely left its damage and her body was stiff and sore, but if she didn't think about it too much the pain wouldn't bother her. She knew from past experience that it would wear off throughout the day, and if things were still bad by the afternoon then she could always take some Tylenol.

Now, freshly dressed, Callie swings her backpack over her shoulder and exits the bedroom. She makes a quick pit stop in the bathroom before heading out onto the landing, desperately hurrying to cover the redish bruise spreading across her swollen face by dabbing on light coloured makeup. She forces a smile as she gazes into the mirror, and tries to convince herself that she looks fine, that no one will suspect she'd been beaten last night – the last thing she needs is a concerned teacher asking questions and news of her 'tattle tailing' getting back to Lance – but the smile dissipates when she notices her busted lip, and she knows that her hopes of looking somewhat normal have been tarnished. It was a long shot, anyway, she thinks to herself. It's not as if I could actually ever look more than decent. Why should today be any different?

If her mood hadn't been optimistic before, it certainly isn't now. Sighing, she runs a hand through her straight, dark hair, rearranging the front layers slightly to cover the creeping blue contusion around her jawbone. Somewhat content with her appearance, Callie heads out the bathroom and nearly collides with Jude.

"Woah, hey, Bud. You ready to go?"

The boy looks unsure, his gaze cast downwards and his hands clasped firmly around the straps of his backpack. Callie can tell instantly what he's thinking.

"We have to go, Jude. Last night isn't the kind of thing we can miss school for," she states, trying to catch Jude's line of vision.

"I know," he sighs, looking up into Callie's eyes. "It's just…" Trailing off, he shakes his head before turning to go downstairs.

Confused by her brother's reluctance to share his thoughts, Callie places a hand on his shoulder to prevent him from leaving. "It's just what, Jude?"

"I, uh, I didn't get to finish my math homework last night."

Her face instantly softens, and her heart lurches for the younger boy. With the events of last night still fresh and whirling round her mind, Callie had forgotten about Jude's struggle with algebra and suddenly she feels an overwhelming sense of guilt. Perhaps if she spent more time with him, maybe slotted in some tutoring sessions, then he wouldn't look so worried about his first period algebra class every morning. Jude, unlike herself, makes no attempts to hide his emotions in front of his sibling, and Callie can always tell when the younger boy isn't quite right – but for lack of worrying herself, she had accepted Jude's pitiful I'm fine's, and almost tricked herself into believing that his struggle with school was something that he would somehow grow out of. But of course, it shouldn't have taken this kind of wake up call for Callie to realize that if she doesn't help Jude fast, the teachers are going to want to speak to his parents. And somehow, Callie doesn't think they'll accept her appearance at the teacher-parent consultation. The last thing they need is Lance finding out about Jude's slipping grades; they don't need another reason for the man to get angry.

Callie takes the stairs quietly with Jude following in the same manner behind, each of the siblings afraid of what they might walk into on the lower level of the house. After a quick assessment of the hallway and kitchen, Callie heads over to the pantry and pulls out a box of granola bars. Realising there is only one left, she tosses it to Jude before rinsing two mugs at the sink and filling them with tap water.

"But what about you?" Jude asks, turning the granola bar in his hands.

"I'll be fine," Callie assures him, trying to ignore the hollow feeling in her stomach. They hadn't been able to eat dinner last night after the incident, and she's pretty sure neither she nor Jude has eaten since yesterday's lunch at school. Jude's already on the skinny side, and she knows he won't be able to go twenty-four hours without food and be able to concentrate at school, so it only seems fair that he gets the bar. If she could have it her way, he would be eating a more substantial breakfast of cereal or fruit, but getting to the grocery store is difficult during the week. Lance is barely ever home for mealtimes and doesn't really give much input into what the siblings eat anyway, never mind actually having the decency to buy supplies for the house. She'll have to find a way to get some groceries after school using some of the money she has saved for emergencies, and although she could ask Lance for money back, she doesn't want to have to be anywhere near the sleazy man. Asking for money so soon after an altercation like this would be like poking a crocodile with a stick; and of course, she'd be the one left with the scars from it's razor sharp teeth.

Finally finishing her last gulp of water, content with her new plan of action, she pats Jude on the shoulder. "Now, get your books. I'll help you with the homework on the bus."

oOo

Jude's homework takes under ten minutes for Callie to complete. Just one look to her younger brother's face tells her he had no clue how to go about rearranging the equations, and with the short bus journey and the tight deadline, Callie knows that it would never be done in time – or correctly – if she leaves it to Jude. So, as the young boy nibbles on his granola bar, Callie takes effort to write out the equations as best she can with the constant jumble of the moving bus in just enough time for them to pull up outside Jude's middle school.

Both siblings depart the bus at this stop, and Jude releases a huff of air as he secures his backpack back onto his back, completed homework assignment folded up safely inside. She looks at the boy, from his Skippy backpack and innocent, baby face, it's hard to believe that he's already twelve. But the boy's tender personality and caring nature almost makes him seem older than his short years, and that's something that makes Callie smile. Throughout all the terrible sights he's seen, the little boy still remains pure, and Callie's sure that's all her mom would ever ask of her.

Turning to walk the remaining two blocks to her school, Callie says, "Well, I'll see you after school, kay?"

"Okay," Jude nods solemnly, his eyes telling a different story.

Realising that her brother is perhaps taking last night a little harder than she had originally thought, Callie puts an arm around Jude and squeezes him tight against her side. She smooths his hair and places a kiss on his head before releasing him.

"Love you, Cal," he murmurs, a small smile on his face.

Pleased to see the previous uncertain look in his eyes gone, she returns his smile. "Love you too. Now go learn something!"

Giggling, he saunters off towards the school, leaving Callie able to lower her guard and release a breath. It's not that caring for Jude is hard work – he couldn't be better behaved if he tried – it's just the constant need to protect him, to prevent him from seeing the worry that almost permanently adorns her face, exhausts her to the point where she almost craves the hours they spend apart in their separate schools. School had always been one of Callie's favourite places, more so after she'd been placed into the foster system. It helps her focus on herself, knowing Jude isn't coming to any harm, and the schoolwork is always a welcomed distraction from whatever situation she's facing at the home she's in.

After watching Jude enter the school's gates Callie begins the walk round the block to her school, the California sun hot on her back and making her wish she had something other than the dark-wash jeans and deep green shirt to wear in such a heat. After a few minutes of walking past a series of run-down front yards, Callie begins to feel the high temperatures of the day take a toll on her energy levels. With little energy from the lack of sleep the night before, not to mention the growling of her stomach, she feels herself struggling to plow forward. The streets are quiet; the children from the middle school are long gone, and there isn't much traffic around this end of town at this time aside from the scheduled bus or occasional cop car.

Head pounding, Callie pulls herself into the edge of the sidewalk and balances her weak body on a peeling picket fence. I just need a few minutes, that's all, she tells herself, panting heavily as she slides down into a sitting position. Just a quick rest and then I'll feel better.

But as the sun rises further and its rays tickle her exposed skin, the sensation lulls Callie into a dehydrated slumber, leaving her slouched against the dirty old picket fence in a less than pleasant neighbourhood, exposed not only to the elements, but to whoever wishes to approach the sleeping girl's vulnerable form.

Thank you for reading! A little bit of a cliffhanger here... ;)

But honestly, thank you endless amounts for your reviews because they really, really encourage me and it makes my heart smile to read your lovely words.

As always, let me know what you guys think, and maybe let me know what your predictions are for when Callie wakes up from her 'nap'!

- K :)