A Little Less Pain

Chapter Two

I awkwardly shifted in my seat between Callie and Brandon.

"Thanks." Callie murmured randomly,signalling it to Brandon.

He nodded, pulling on his seat belt and letting out a deep breath.

I leaned onto Callie's shoulder, enjoying being with her for the first time in months.

We pulled up to a large light brown house, after probably twenty minutes of driving.I stared out of the passenger window in awe.The house was twice as big as any foster house I've ever been in.

"Okay, well Hadley, you'll be staying with Callie in the living room until other sleeping arrangements are made." The blonde police woman said, who I learned is also Brandon's mother.

I nodded, unbuckling and scooting out of the door after Callie got out.

I grabbed my small bag out of the front seat,which only had two other outfits Liam had bought me when I first moved in.

"Hadley,Callie, you can go in, Brandon and I are going to talk in the back yard." The police woman said.

Callie wrapped her arm around my shoulder,guiding me towards the house.

"Be polite okay." Callie bent down and whispered in my ear.I nodded slightley,looking forward and seeing a teen boy and girl sitting on the front steps.

Maybe they're dating, I gnawed my lip, avoiding eye contact, which was difficult because both of their eyes were glued to me.

Once we were finally inside their house, Callie showed me where she stayed in the living room.

"Okay, so you already met Brandon.The blonde lady is Steph, his birth mom, and her partner is Leena, who is the vice principle at your soon to be school." Callie explained, pointing to a family photo sitting in the coffee table.

"The tan boys name is Jesus, and the girls name is Mariana; they're twins who Steph and Leena took in as fosters, you're their age."

I nodded, staring at the picture immensly, trying to memorise all of their names.

"Are they nice?" I asked, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear and popping my knuckles.

Callie laughed, scooting back further into the couch.

"Don't get to prepared to live here forever Hads, I doubt we'll be here more than a month." Callie said, her voice stern.

I sighed and nodded, pushing my bag to the end of the couch on the floor, and climbing next to Callie.

"Everyone in the living room we're having a family meeting!" Stephs voice called from the kitchen.

I say up straight, sitting Indian style. Within minutes everyone was bombing onto the couch.

I was jammed Inbetween Mariana and Jesus.And I swear you could cut the awkwardness with a butter knife.

"Okay, Hadley, welcome to our home." Leena started off, giving me a warm smile which I returned.

"Since we're growing and our house is shrinking, I don't want to have Hadley and Callie out here on the couch.So, after tonight we're going to make room."

Everyone groaned except Callie and i, causing me to awkwardly rub my arm.

"It's fine Leena."I murmured,obviously no one wanted to give up their space.

"No it's not,Hadley, Leena and I want you and Callie to stay as long as possible, maybe even a year." Steph stated grinning.

"Callie, tommorow you will be moving into Marianas room." Leena explained, but was cut off by Mariana.

"No! Mom the house is already bursting." She claimed, causing Leena to roll her eyes.

"And Hadley, Im sorry but since Mariana won't have any other room you'll be staying in Jesus's room." Steph said sighing.

Everyone started complaining and objecting, but I stayed silent, consumed in my thoughts.

I can't be in a guys room.I mean what about when I have to change, or what if I get my period oh my god this is gonna suck.

"Leena,Steph, really I can just sleep down here, or on the floor." I stated, pretty much begging.

"Nope, Hadley, that is no way to live.If you and Callie stay longer than a month then I will not have you on the floor." Steph stated, giving Jesus a stern look.

"Fine." Jesus groaned, standing up from the couch and walking upstairs, followed by Brandon and Mariana.

Steph and Leena gave us a sympathised look, before grabbing hands and walking to the kitchen.

"Wow Hadley can you be more awkward." Callie chuckled, and I turned to face her, picking up a couch pillow and chucking it at her.

"You might be two years older but you're like a toddler." I laughed, Callie jumping on me.Without warning her fingers attacked my waist, causing me to burst into a fit of giggles.

"I-I s-stop Ca-Callie!" I yelled through giggles, trying to pry her hands off.

Finally she released me,and pushed me up.

"Try not to get too attached to this place Had." Callie whispered, rubbing the top of my head.