What Hurts The Most

Chapter One: Confrontation Aftermath

All he's ever known is love.

Love and acceptance.

Love from his mom, his other mom, and -even though it may have been a scarce existence in years past- his dad.

Love from Jesus. Love from Marianna. They've grown up together and even though its never really been said before, she knows they do love him like family. Like blood-related family. Which sometimes she forgets they aren't.

Even from his now-out-of-the-picture girlfriend. Sure, Tayla had been a crazy-ass bitch, but that didn't mean she didn't love him. Maybe she loved him a little too much though. So much she thought it necessary to get ridiculously insecure over the slightest thing and try and lock him up, keeping him all to herself.

He was accepted by his peers, his teachers, practically everyone he ever met. Because to them, all he was was a rich white kid with a passion for music and a good natured, but sort of out of hand family.

In all honesty, that's all he was.

She wasn't surprised about what happened, it was when it happened that caught her off guard. She had excepted it later rather than sooner.

When he confronted her on the porch and put himself out there, admitting to his feelings and convincing her that they would be worth the risk.

She had to admit she had been impressed. For once in his life he was going against the system. Foster kids and real kids weren't allowed to date. He knew that just as well as she did.

But, even though he was ready to tell her how he felt, she wasn't ready to do the same.

She'd known way more emotions than just love.

She'd known heartbreak, betrayal, devastation, sorrow, anger, bitterness, solemn, and the one thing all those emotions had in common; a long lasting effect.

She'd foolishly given her heart away too many times to be so careless with it now.

She'd been hurt too many times to give in so easily.

But a part of her couldn't help believe that Brandon was different.

Maybe it was the fact that, on the very first day he had even met her, he blew off his music audition, risked his life, got a gun pointed at him, and helped her when she needed help the most.

He knew nothing about her, he still doesn't know everything (and she plans on keeping it that way) yet he was willing to trust her, put his faith in something unknown to him, and that was something not a lot of people had been willing to do for her lately.

she allowed herself to feel grateful towards him and that was when all the trouble started.

After that, it was a great big jumble off emotions that hit her, half of them she didn't understand.

The events leading up to the confrontation had only made those feelings grow.

The lunch periods spent in the music room, just the two of them and no one else. Unless Tayla decided to drop in and make an in welcomed visit.

Giving her his old guitar, teaching her the chords, and even practicing with her.

The dance practices and dancing with him at Marianna's quinceanera.

Then, when he told her he had broken up with Tayla.

And of coarse, their little chat on the porch.

It was all just a little too overwhelming for her liking.

"Hey Callie," Lena pipes up ass she enters the kitchen, interrupting Callie in her mess of thoughts.

Callie only nods as a reply and then looks back down to the bowl of cereal she's barely touched.

"You ready for school?"

"Uh, yeah," she proceeds to dump the cereal in the sink and then grabs her book bag.

She catches Lena pushing Marianna, Jude, and Jesus out the door as Brandon comes down the stairs.

He saunters into the kitchen and notices her presence. "Morning Callie."

She nods again, hiking the strap of her bag higher on her shoulder.

Things had been awkward between the two since the other night and she was pretty sure everyone had noticed.

The hasn't spoken since, all thanks to her. He always tried, but she refused to listen. She'd just pretend like she didn't know what he was talking about and then walk away.

Today was no exception.

"Callie, I think we should-"

"Be getting to school?" She suggests, not even making eye contact with him. "Yeah, I agree."

She can hear Brandon sigh behind her as she rushes through the front door.

This is working for now, but Brandon's a determined person and she's not gonna be able to ignore him forever.

But, she can -and will- avoid this conversation he's so adamant about having with her for as long as she can.

Callie looks up at the clear blue sky as the car starts up and begins taking the familiar route to school. She wishes she could be happy about something so simple as a nice day and a clear sky.

She sighs, slumping back in her seat and biting her thumb nail. She smiles sadly at the thought of her mother who always used to chide her jokingly about what a bad habit that was.

Callie glances Brandon's way, not for very long though. It's a quick glance.

Why?

Why does this always happen to her?

Why does she always want what she can't have?

Maybe there was no denying it now.

Maybe slowly she was giving in to her human emotions.

She was falling for Brandon Foster.

She could admit it to herself, but Brandon didn't have to know.

If she had it her way, he never would.

A/N

I'm absolutely in love with this show and this pairing. So, I took time out of my not-all-that-busy life to write this story instead of writing my other one.

I was reading some of the stories for this fandom last night and I just couldn't help myself. I had to write one. I'm really hoping that Callie is as in character as I think she is.

I'm not sure how often it'll be update, I'm fairly good about that. Just bear with me I guess.

You should leave a review, I think you really should. In fact, I think you would enjoy leaving a review. I know I would enjoy it.

Kthanxbai!