Callie POV

February 24th

I stood on the sidewalk and looked at the multiple story building in front of me.

I don't know what I was thinking, when I agreed to doing this in the morning. Now it seemed like a very bad idea for some reason, even thought I know I am not in any trouble.

I tilted my head to the left side as my eyes once again traveled up to the blue, steel plate next to the entrance doors that read- San Diego Police Department 15th Precinct. The last time I was in a police station, I was arrested and taken to Juvenile detention. By Amy! So, it was safe to say, I didn't want to go inside the building, even thought this is a different station than the one Amy used to work in before. It bought back not so great memories for me.

I sighed deeply, when I realized that I have been standing on this sidewalk for at least some 10 minutes. If I don't go in now, Amy will probably think that I have run away or something. The school wasn't too far from this station. She probably expects me to show up any minute now. If I won't, she will put out an amber alert.

I walked up the few small steps, pulled open the big doors and walked inside. When the doors close behind me on their own, I jumped a little, because of the loud sound it made. Turning back around, I looked to the surroundings. I was stadning in a small hall.

There was an information board on the wall on my right. A poster about police triathlon, which was going to be held in September, was put on, along with other not so flashy posters. I also saw few vending machines by the other side of the hallway. One contained only food, like chips, peanuts, those triangle sandwiches, chocolate bars like Snickers, Mars and other snacks. The vending machine next to it was full with different drinks. Some people were sitting on the benches, waiting for something or someone.

"Hey, there!" I heard a woman's voice. When I turned my head to the source of the sound, I saw a female officer standing behind a desk. She was wearing the same kind of uniform Amy has. The woman was watching me, like a hawk. I swallowed a lump in my throat, gripped the strap of my backpack tighter and walked towards her.

"What's your name, sweetheart?" She asked softly, when I stopped in front of the desk

When I held back my answer, she spoke up again "My name's Kate. Can you tell me yours?"

"Um...Callie," I stammered out. I couldn't hold the eye contact for long. My eyes darter up and down.

The woman leaned backwards a bit and looked at me up and down "You are Amy's kid, right?"

My head snapped up to her "How did you-?"

"Amy told me your were coming by. Follow me, I will take you to her," She replied as she walked around the desk to get to the hallway

"Oh—okay," I whispered out, mostly to myself, as I followed the officer

As I followed the officer through a door. On the other side of the doors, was a bigger hall. It was filled with police officers. All I wanted to do was make myself as small as possible, so they wouldn't notice and look at me. With every step that I made, I kept reminding myself, not to make any eye contact, do not bump into anyone. I felt very uncomfortable and uneasy being in a room with so many police officers. The feeling, that I could have handcuffs around my wrists, didn't leave me not even for a second. And the guns. There were so many guns in this room. Many of the officers didn't look as kind as Amy does. Most of the officers were big guys, who could easily tackle me to ground or push me face first in a wall.

"This is your moms desk...I mean, Amy's desk," Kate said, when she stopped at pair of desks "She's around here somewhere," The officer said looking around the big hall we were in right now "Go ahead and sit down, while I go find Amy," Kate gestured to the chair

When Kate left, I took off my backpack. I pulled the chair away from the desk and sat down. Once I had placed my bag in my lap and gripped it tightly with both of my hands. In a way, it brought me a little bit of comfort – the fact that I was holding on to something.

The first that I saw, when I looked at the desk, were two picture frames. One was a picture of Aaron, the other one was with Amy and Markus. The desk itself was pretty neat and organized. There were few small pile of files on the left side. An empty cup of coffee stood on the right side. The computer, which stood on the right side of the table, was on, but it had lock screen. It required pasword to log on.

"Hey!" I heard a voice and footsteps coming from somewhere behind me. It wasn't Amy's voice, but I did recognize it. It belonged to Stefanie.

When I turned to see her, Stefanie was walking pass the table to get to her desk, which apparently was the one that Amy's desk faces. Stefanie dropped a file on the desk as she sat down in the chair, facing me.

"Waiting for Amy?" Stef asked gripping the side of the desk and pulling the chair and herself closer to the desk

I nodded my head back and tightened the grip on my bag a little bit.

"She's upstairs talking to some detectives about a case. But I think she should be down soon," Stefanie told me as she was turning slightly right and left in her chair

"Cool," I said indifferent barely above whisper

After that, I turned in the chair, to look to the hall that was behind me. I had a feeling that I should watch my back for some reason. Almost like if I was in some bad neighborhood or something. But honestly, I think I would feel more comfortable in San Ysidro than in this police precinct.

Once I made sure that no one is coming to get me, I looked to the two other police officers that were sitting at the desk by my left. They were both writing something in files. I doubt they have even noticed me. They seemed busy.

"You don't like cops too much, do you?" I heard Stefanie say

I turned back to face her "Why do you think that?" I asked trying to act as if she wasn't right

"Well, for one, you are very...restless. You have a death grip on your bag. And you seem kind of scared,"

"I'm not scared," I lied, trying to act all tough, as if I wasn't intimidated by her and the other officers

Stefanie smirked at me "Come!" Stef pushed back in her chair and stood up

"I'm not going anywhere with you," I retorted staring at her and remained sitting still in the chair

"I think you would feel more comfortable in the break room. It would be much quieter there. No cops walking by, no perps," Stefanie answered pointing towards a room "I could get you a cola or some other drink,"

I looked over my shoulder again. Just when I was about to turn back to Stefanie, I saw how a cop, who was three times my size, slammed a perp, who was trying to get away, to the wall to restrain him.

"Where you trying go, huh?" the cop asked him and I heard the very familiar sound of handcuffs closing "Come on!" He made the perp follow him, by pulling him by his elbow

"I want my lawyer!" The perp called back loudly and angrily "Get me my damn lawyer!"

"Yeah, yeah! We will call your lawyer!" The cop mumbled back before the two of them went through some doors

I turned my attention back to Stefanie, when she asked "You sure you don't want to go?"

I got up from the chair and without saying anything I followed Stefanie to the break room, she was talking about. It sure was much quieter there. There was a couch, small coffee table, coffee and water machine. There was a window in the middle of the wall, it out looked the hall that I was in before.

"What about that cola? Can I get you some?" Stefanie asked me while I walked over to the couch to sit down

"I can't," I replied quietly, when I sat down "I have to go dentist soon,"

"Right," Stefanie breathed out "Is that still for the...social worker inspection thing?" She asked carefully as she rested her hands on her belt

When Stefanie saw how surprised I seemed, when she brought it up, she explained "Your mom, I mean...Amy told me that a social worker visited you two a while back,"

"She told you?" I looked up to the cop. I was surprised that Amy had told her. I had thought that Amy would like to keep it down, not tell other people, because she was ashamed and embarrassed about it. A visit from social worker is never a nice visit. It means people are questioning your ability to be a parent. Not many people would want others to know about it.

"I used to be a foster parent. I know what it's like," Stefanie explained. Well that explained it. Amy wanted to talk to someone, who understands what it's like.

"Yeah...it's for the social worker," I replied quietly as I looked sideways

"It's going to blow over soon," Stefanie said trying to reassure me "Don't worry about it too much. Okay?"

"Yeah," I nodded my head averting my eyes down to my lap

"How about water?" She asked pointing over her shoulder to the water dispenser

"Okay," I said softly. Stefanie turned and walked to the water dispenser. I watched how she filled a small white, plastic cup with water.

Stefanie carried it over to me and handed it "Here you go,"

"Thank you," I reached up to take the cup

Stefanie lingered around "So, how do you like the Music school so far?" she asked, when I was drinking the water she got me

"It's fine," I replied vaguely and shugged my shoulders a little as well

"My son, Brandon-" she interrupted herself to ask me "Do you remember him?" I nodded my head back. How could I forget, I met him the day Aaron and Markus died. He was the one who was talking a lot in the lobby. Brandon also had a horrible fashion sense in shirts.

"He's going to participate in the Annual Spring Music School competition. Are you going to participate?"

I shrugged my shoulders, because I had no answer to her. I had seen a poster on the information baord. Also, I overheard few other kids talk about it. Other than that, I had not thought about it.

"Well, I think you should," Stefanie stated back "A little competition always is a good thing!" she rocked back and forth on her feet

I raised the cup up to my lips again and drank the little bit of water that was left in it, so that I don't have to say anything back to her. Once I had drank all of the water, I placed the cup on the coffee table.

"Okay, well...I have to get back to work!" Stefanie said glancing towards the doors "I will tell Amy-"

"There you are!" The doors opened and Amy appeared in the doorway "Kate said she took you to my desk. When I didn't see you there-"

Stefanie raised her hand up "My bad!" She smirked at Amy "I brought her here. It's a lot quieter in here,"

"Thanks," Amy replied to Stefanie and then turned her attention to me "You ready to go?"

"Mm-hmm," I hummed back and grabbed the strap of my bag. As I stood up, I tossed the bag over my shoulder.

"Till tomorrow!" Amy waved at Stefanie

"Yeah. See you tomorrow!" Stef answered "Bye Callie!"

"Bye!" I replied quietly, before I followed Amy out. Leaving the room, I took one last, quick glance back to the blond cop. She smiled at me and gave me a little wave.

Amy POV

February 27th

I arrived at the music school to pick Callie up some 15 minutes before her class is suppose to end. Not wanting to sit in the car, I got out, locked the car and headed inside the Music school.

At first I sat down in the lobby. After 5 minutes of sitting there and waiting, I realized that I haven't actually seen or heard her play, not since the day I first took her to her class. Ever since then, I always waited in the car or in the lobby till Callie's class ended, or Aaron picked her up.

I got up from the couch and made my way up the stairs to the second floor, where all the classes are held. Walking down the hallway, I peaked a look in every classroom. When I finally arrived at Callie's classroom, I looked through the window in the doors.

Callie was sitting on a chair with her back against the doors. She had a guitar over her leg. Time by time she looked down to the frets as she continued to play. I heard music coming from the room, but the sound was too muffed for me to tell me what kind of song she was plying.

Her teacher, Mrs. Rivers, who sat facing Callie and listened to her play the guitar, noticed me standing there. She gave me a little smile and nodded me to come inside. Callie was busy playing the guitar and hadn't noticed her teachers head nod to me.

I reached for the door handle and as quietly as I could I opened the doors. I closed the doors slowly so they won't make much noise when closed. Thankfuly, Callie didn't seem to notice or hear me walk in. Not to disturbe the class, I remained standing by the droos.

I leaned back to the wall and continued to listened to Callie play. And to my surprise also sing. Her voice was soft, yet it held so much emotion. The emotions were raw. I could tell she was putting all of her in the song. Probably gaining the strength from her own loss of mother.

Now I remember all too well
Just how it feels to be all alone
To feel like you'd give anything
For just a little place you can call your own

That's when you need someone
Someone that you can call
When all your faith is gone
It feels like you can't go on
Let it be me
Let it be me
If it's a friend that you need
Let it be me
Let it be me

Callie strummed the last few chords. Once the song was done, she looked up to her teacher. Her right hand went up to her forehead. She rubbed it, looking frustrated with herself. I think Callie, herself, didn't like how it turned out, how she played it.

"It was bad," Callie said looking down to her guitar. I could tell she was not happy with it.

"No, it wasn't bad at all. There are few parts we should work on some more, but overall...quite impressive. And your voice..." Her teacher trailed off "The way you sang it. Very strong! I could feel your pain!"

"I don't know," Callie shook her head. It was sad to see how little self-esteem and self-confidence she had.

"What do you think?" Mrs. Rivers asked looking to me

Callie raised her head, curious as to whom her teacher asked that. When she saw that her teacher was looking somewhere behind her, Callie looked over her shoulder to see, who was standing behind her. Her eyes grew bigger, when she saw me standing her.

"I think it was simply amazing!" I said with tears in my eyes. I raised my left hand up and wiped the tears that were in the corners of my eyes. Her cheeks turned one shade more pink. Callie looked timed. She turned back and averted her full attention to the guitar in her lap.

"Callie, I had something I wanted to talk to you about," Mrs. Rivers said getting Callie's attention. She raised her head to look at her teacher.

The teacher looked briefly to me, before she continued "There is an Annual Spring Music School Competition coming up. It's arranged to showcase the kids skills and what they have learned, mixed with some completion. And I think you should participate!"

Callie didn't say anything for a while. She just started at her teacher.

I got curious about it. I knew Stef hand mentioned that Brandon participates each year for the last few years. She also said that there were multiple categories and age groups. But other than that, I knew nothing about it.

"When is it held?" I asked for some more detail

"Second Friday on April. If I'm not mistken, it was the 13th," Mrs. Rivers explained "It's held right here, in our big hall. All family and friends are welcome to come,"

"In what group she would be competing? Would she go up against Brandon Foster?" I asked silently hoping she wouldn't, because I know for how long Stef's son has been going to Music school and playing piano. It would probably take away all the fun if she knew she had to compete against him, because she would think she has no chance to beat him. You can't compare more than 8 years of musisc school with only few weeks.

"There are multiple categories. I know Brandon Foster, because I used to teach him guitar, when he was just 6. But he is playing piano now. We have different groups for each instrument and also different age groups. While Callie and Brandon would be in the same age group, they play different instruments. So Callie wouldn't have to compete against him," Mrs. Rivers explained

I felt relieved after I heard that. My eyes traveled to Callie, who still hadn't said anything.

"But!" Mrs. Rivers continued. I averted my look back at Callie's teacher. I tilted my head one side, curious about what she was going to say.

"Callie could compete with him, if she decided to write her own original song. We have a category for that as well. It doesn't matter what instrument. All kids can compete in category – original songs,"

"Oh," I breathed out "Can kids compete in multiple categories or-?"

"Yes, they can compete in multiple categories," Callie's teacher confirmed

"Do a lot of kids write their own songs?"

"Not many. But there are few. Usually there are about 15 kids. Brandon Foster being one of them. Most of them are our older students,"

"I have been only playing for few short weeks," Callie finally spoke up, grabbing both of our attentions "I'm not good enough!"

"Nonsense!" I said without any hesitation, Callie's head snapped to me. I the corner of my eye I saw that Mrs. Rivers mouth was parted a little. She probably had wanted to say something as well.

"I know I heard only little part of the song, but what I heard...you were amazing Callie!" I continued

Mrs. Rivers nodded to what I said and added "I have watched you grow with each lesson," Callie's head snapped from me to her teacher "Of course there is still room for growth. Your mom gave you some great basics. And we have been building on that. Knowing how long you have been coming here – you are really good! You are a fast learner. Not only you can play, but you can sing as well."

"I don't know," Callie said sounding uncertain and looked down to the guitar. I wish Callie would be more self-confident about herself. If only she saw in herself what I see in her.

"Tell you what," Mrs. rivers told her leaning a bit closer to her "You don't have to give me an answer today. Go home, talk to Amy-" her teacher glanced to me briefly "sleep on, think about it some more. In a week, on Monday, when you come to your lesson, you will tell me what you decided. I just want you to think about it. Okay?"

Callie stared at her for couple of seconds, before she finally nodded her head back and said softly "I will think about it,"

"Okay," Mrs. Rivers smiled as she placed her hands on her thighs "Your class is over. You did great today. I will see you in your next class, Callie!"

Callie nodded back. She walked to the end of the room and put the guitar down. I looked around the room, searching for her bag. It was placed on the ground by the wall, few steps from where I stood. I grabbed Callie's bag for her, while the girl said goodbye to her teacher.

AN: I do not own the song! The song that I used belongs to Ray LaMontagne - Let it be me.