Brandon knew that Callie needed a family more than she needed him. As much as that hurt he pushed his feelings for Callie aside. It wasn’t easy for him to do but Callie’s happiness was more important than his feelings for her. Brandon made sure that Callie knew that his feelings wouldn’t change, but he would push his feelings aside for her if that meant she was able to come back. After all Callie needed the family more than anything. Brandon also explained to Callie how he would always be there for her no matter what. It has been five months since Brandon told Callie that she should choose the family over him. Brandon’s mind went back to the day he told Callie what he knew he had to do.
*Flashback*
Callie and Brandon have been seeing each other here and there. Brandon realized that he was being selfish and how he knew what Callie needed. It wasn’t fair of him to take Callie away from the only family that’s ever truly loved her. Callie would be coming over later today and everyone else was doing their own thing. So they’d be home alone so that’s when he would tell her.
Soon there was a knock at the door. Brandon wasn’t looking forward to this not at all. He made his way to the door. As he opened the door he had to pull himself together knowing that this was going to be anything but easy. Brandon put on a fake smile or at least the best fake smile that he could. He wasn’t sure if Callie could see right through him or not. Callie kissed Brandon and he didn’t stop her knowing this would probably be the last time that he would ever get to kiss Callie. Callie made her way to the couch; Brandon followed her but was quiet. Callie could tell that something wasn’t right.
“B, is everything okay? You just seem a little off.” Callie asked Brandon as he took a seat next to her. Brandon just sat there in silence. That’s when she knew something wasn’t right. “I know something is up. Please tell me.”
“You know that I love you more than anything in the world right?”
“Yes, Brandon.. What the hell is going on? You’re beginning to scare me.”
“This isn’t easy for me Cal. This isn’t but I’m being selfish.”
“What are you talking about? You’re not being selfish.”
“I am. You should be here.. You need to be here where you belong.”
“Brandon, what are you thinking?”
“I don’t want you to hate me.” Brandon couldn’t control it anymore he started to cry. He had never cried in front of anyone. There was no need to til now. He was losing the only woman he ever truly loved.
“I could never hate you. I love you. Now please tell me what’s going on?”
“I can’t be selfish anymore Cal. I just can’t. I can’t let you and Jude be apart any longer. As much as it kills me I think we need to put this on hold. I’m not saying that I want to break up because I don’t. But I can’t be selfish. You deserve to be where you’re loved. You need to be here with the family. I’m willing to push my feelings for you aside. I know this is the right thing to do. I’m always going to love you and that will never change. Not now not ever.” Brandon couldn’t finish. Callie wasn’t expecting Brandon to say any of this. The fact that Brandon was willing to put his feelings aside for her happiness only made Callie love him even more.
“You’re far from selfish. Brandon it’s not your fault Babe. You hear me? I love you more than you’ll ever know. No one has ever put me before themselves. I’ve always been putting everyone else before me. I understand what you’re saying. I really do. But shouldn’t it be up to me decide what I want? What if you’re all that I need?”
“Callie, you and I both know that you need a family right now more than you need me. I just want you back home where you belong. I hate seeing you stuck in that place. I hate knowing that it’s my fault that you’re in there. If having you back in this house means that I get to see everyone happy then that’s the way it should be.”
“It’s not your fault. Please stop blamin’ yourself. Brandon, this will make everyone else happy but you and I. I don’t want to see you sad. I really don’t. I love you too much.” Callie hugged Brandon she never wanted to let go.
“If being back here means that you’re happy then I’ll be happy. Your happiness means everything to me.”
“I love you for everything that you’re trying to do. I know that you’re right. It’s just going to be hard not being able to be with you. I will have to push my feelings aside, but that doesn’t mean we’re over Foster. You hear me? We’re not over til we get our happy ending. Okay?”
“Okay. I love you. I just want you to know how much. I wouldn’t be doing this is I didn’t think it was what you needed. I know this is what you need.”
“I love you. How about we share one last kiss? But I’ll tell you right now this is NOT our last kiss. Got it Mister?” Brandon smiled at Callie.
“Got it.” Callie leaned in to kiss Brandon. She wanted to feel the touch of Brandon’s lips against hers one last time. There was no telling when they would be able to share a moment like this again.
*End of Flashback*
Brandon sat in his room thinking about how hard things were getting. His feelings for Callie were only growing stronger. I was killin’ him not being able to kiss her. Callie had made it very clear to Stef and Lena that she wasn’t going to be adopted. But that they should still adopt Jude. Brandon has tried to get his mind off of Callie but it hasn’t worked out so well. He has even tried going back out with Talya but it just doesn’t seem to work seeing every time Brandon is with Talya he’s thinking of Callie.
Callie noticed that Brandon was off the last few days. She couldn’t figure out why. But now was as good as time as any to figure out what was going on. No one was home, well besides Callie and Brandon. Callie needed to know what was going on with Brandon. He hasn’t really been playing the piano. It killed Callie to know that something was bothering Brandon but he refused to speak about it. Callie knocked on Brandon’s door.
“Come in.” Callie heard Brandon say. She took a seat next to him.
“B, what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been acting really strange lately B. I’m really worried about you.”
“It’s nothing.”
“If that’s the case why don’t you just say what’s bothering you?”
“I miss you. I miss us. I miss being able to be with you. These last five months pretending like I feel nothing for you have been hell, Cals. There are times where I just want to kiss you but I can’t. This hurts so much. I don’t know if I can do this anymore.”
“I know I miss you and us. These last five months have been anything but easy. It’s killed me not being able to cuddle or kiss you whenever I want. Brandon, look at me.” Callie said this only because Brandon wasn’t making eye contact. Callie wouldn’t continue speaking til Brandon looked at her. “I want to be with you so bad that it hurts but I know that we’ll make it through anything. I just know it.”
“What if. What if I get emancipated? I don’t know how much longer I can handle this. Sometimes I hear Moms’ talking and they’re saying how we don’t know what love is. They think that just because we’re young that we don’t know what love is. Honestly, I didn’t know what love was til I met you Callie! I can graduate early, get my own place, a job and whatever else needs to be done.”
“Brandon, I say if this is what you want to do then so be it. I’ll support you no matter what. Why would you want to get emancipated anyways? I mean, I could do it. I don’t think Stef & Lena will go for it.”
“I want to this. I didn’t ask you because you need to stay here with the family. This is what you need. But I need to get emancipated so I can do what I want with my life. I’m tired of all this nonsense. I’m 17 I can make my own decisions. This is what I want.”
“I love you but I just feel like this is all going to backfire somehow. I know what you mean. I felt like I needed control of my own life. I still don’t have that control.”
“Do you trust me?”
“Of course I do more than anything in this world.”
“Okay.. Good, we’ll make this work I promise.”
“I know we will. Stef and Lena aren’t going to be too happy about this.”
“I don’t care. They haven’t listened to us yet so why would they start now?”
“I don’t know.” Brandon leaned into kiss Callie. He couldn’t control himself he needed to feel the touch of his lips on hers.
Later that evening at dinner Brandon wasn’t sure how he was going to bring up the whole getting emancipated thing but he knew what he had to do. Callie sat next to him and held his hand. It gave Brandon the courage to speak to his parents. This is what he needed.
“I want to get emancipated. I love Callie and I’ve tried to push all my feelings for her aside but it’s not working. It worked in the beginning but it’s not working now. I’ve tried it just not working. Since you say that living with Dad isn’t an option emancipation is the next option.”
“Brandon Michael Foster. I don’t think so. No way in hell are you doing that? I will NOT allow this. You don’t know what love is how many times do I have to say this? There will be NO you & Callie got it?”
“You don’t have a choice. There’s nothing you can do or say to stop me. Tomorrow first thing in the morning I’m filing for emancipation. Who are you to judge if I know what love is. You don’t know how I feel. You sure as hell don’t seem to care.”
“You wanna bet young man? You’re not 18. You’re NOT an adult. You’re still a minor living under my roof. With that being said you’ll follow my rules got it?”
“You want to know what. I don’t have to hear this. I’m going to file for emancipation and that’s final. I can’t stay here any longer. I need to leave.” Brandon got up from the table. “Cals, I’ll call you later. I love you.” Brandon kissed Callie and then made his way to the front door.
“Don’t bet on it Brandon. You will NOT have any contact with Callie.” Stef yelled at Brandon but he was already gone so he hadn’t heard Stef’s threat.
“You can’t do that. You can’t keep us apart.”
“Like hell I can’t. Now give me your phone. Then I want you to go up to your room. You’re not allowed to come out for any reason. Got it.”
“You won’t get away with this. Brandon and I will be together.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it. Now march.” Stef pointed towards the stairs telling Callie to go to her room. Callie didn’t even try to argue. There was no point. Stef would just find a way to keep them apart, like she always has been. She’s more like her father than she realizes. Callie ran upstairs and slammed the door behind her.
No one at the table utter a word. Everyone just sat there in silence. Lena knew that she better stay quiet til Stef cooled down a little. Brandon and Stef were alike in more ways than one. Mariana couldn’t take the silence anymore.
“What you’re doing is completely unfair. They’re in love. Why can’t you see that? I thought you of all people would understand that better than anyone. But I guess not huh? You taught us to never give up on something we believe in. It just so happens that Brandon is doing that. He believes in his love for Callie and he’s fighting for it.” Mariana had never really stood up for Brandon and Callie. Tonight was the first time she realized how unfair everyone was being towards them. Love is love.
“Mariana, GO to your room right now.”
“Gladly.” Mariana got up from the table without saying another word.
“Does anyone else want a piece of me?”
“No.” Jude and Jesus both mumbled.
“Guys, how about you guys go play video games. While I talk to Stef. Okay?”
“Alright.” Jude and Jesus both did as Lena requested.
Lena and Stef started to talk about the events that happened at dinner. Meanwhile upstairs in Mariana and Callie’s room. Mariana sat next to Callie hugging her. Callie needed comfort. At times like this Callie would go to Brandon but he wasn’t here obviously.
“I’m sorry Callie. I’m sorry for not believing in the love that you share with Brandon.”
“Okay.”
“It’s NOT okay. Tonight made me realize that you two do truly love each other. Someday I hope to find a guy who loves me as much as Brandon loves you.”
“I can’t stay here.”
“What do you mean? You’re not running off to Mexico are you?” Mariana asked Callie sarcastically.
“No. I’m going to go stay with Brandon. But Stef took my phone. Can I use yours?”
“I could get in trouble for this. But fuck it. You guys deserve to be together. And I’m not going to stand in the way.” Mariana handed Callie her phone. Callie dialed Brandon’s number.
“B, I can’t stay here.”
“Babe, why what happened?”
“I just can’t stay here.”
“Cals, tell me please?” Brandon began to worry about what happened after he left the Fosters’ residence.
“Stef took away my phone and then she practically told me that I was never allowed to see you again. I can’t stay here. Please come get me.”
“Unbelievable. I don’t give a damn if she treats me like complete shit. But she crossed the line by making you feel like complete shit. I’m going to come get you. We’ll figure something out. Do you think you can be ready in 15 minutes?”
“Yes. I love you.”
“I love you too. Don’t you forget that? Babe, one more thing. I’m not going to be able to park near the house. You’re going to have to meet me at the stop sign. Okay?”
“Alright. That’s not a problem. I’ll see you soon.” Callie ended the call between her and Brandon and gave Mariana back her phone.
“I gotta pack. Brandon’s gonna be here in 15.”
“I’m sorry everything went down like this. You deserve to be happy and if that’s with Brandon then I say go for it.”
“I hope you don’t get in trouble because of me.”
“Don’t worry about me. What’s the worse they can do ground me? It’s not like I have anyone to hang out with.”
“True.” Callie finished packing and then we wrote a short and quick note to Jude. “Do you think you could give this to Jude for me?”
“Of course. It’s time for you to go.”
“Thank you so much. I promise I’ll see you soon.”
“I’m holding you to that promise. I love you Callie.”
“I love you too Mariana.” Callie hugged Mariana before she climbed out the window and down the latter.
Callie met Brandon at the stop sign right where he said he would be. Right now neither one knew what was going to happen next. But as long as they had each other that’s all that mattered.