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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Aug 25, 2016 15:52:14 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2016 15:52:14 GMT -7
@brandon Outlaws by David Lambert <3 Callie glared back at Brandon. He was acting like he was the only one hurt in this situation. It angered her to no end that he was so selfish. "Don't speak to me that way, Brandon. What you aren't doing isn't best if it's hurting people, why don't you get that?" Callie's breathing became heavier as her anger rose. Brandon was acting like such a brat and she couldn't stand it.
Her eyes widened as he spoke. Oh yeah...his music. She had completely forgotten. How could she forget Brandon and his piano? Her eyes blushed a slight red, thinking of the song he had written her. Callie shut her eyes for a moment, breathing in and out. Goodness, how she wished to hear that song again. Her voice was quieter now as she spoke, "Sorry...I just wasn't thinking..."
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Aug 25, 2016 18:09:45 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2016 18:09:45 GMT -7
This was the hard part: getting down to the real meat of things. The real reasons why he wasn't willing to change the way he was doing everything. "Maybe," he hesitated, wondering if he really wanted to tell her this. She wasn't going to like it. He took a deep breath and plunged in, ignoring the voice in his head that was telling him to keep this to himself. "Maybe I'm not trying to do what's best for everyone else anymore. For the first time in my life, I have to focus on what's best for me Callie." He was being honest. He knew it was hurting his family as well as himself, but he couldn't change his decision now. He wouldn't.
He watched expectantly, taken by surprise when she started blushing. Why was she doing that? It wasn't like he would be mad at her for forgetting, or did she think he turned into a jerk now? Well, with the way he was treating her, he actually wouldn't be surprised if she did think he was a jerk. He chuckled quietly, "I figured. I mean, you of all people should know what I'm planning to do," he winked, hoping to keep the conversation away from the earlier topic. Maybe teasing her would do the trick.
@jill5
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Aug 26, 2016 9:16:55 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2016 9:16:55 GMT -7
@brandon <3 Callie felt like her heart was caught in her throat. Best for him? That meant... Not her. Brandon was saying that she is not good for him. It felt like she couldn't breathe. This wasn't okay... This wasn't good at all. And even though her heart broke into a million pieces, Callie did not say another word on the subject.
She gave him a small, gentle smile. "I do know what you want to do... It just slipped my mind is all." Callie wasn't going to tell Brandon she forgot. That would make her a horrible friend... Sister.
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Aug 27, 2016 21:25:43 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 21:25:43 GMT -7
Brandon knew Callie too well to not see the pain in her eyes. He hadn't meant that personally, hadn't meant that he wanted to hurt those around him. The truth was, he was trying to take the pain away. Trying to find a way to get rid of it and find peace. Granted, he hadn't achieved that yet, but he was trying. And he would keep on trying until he figured it out. "I'm sorry Cal," he muttered so softly he knew it would be hard for her to hear if she wasn't really listening. "I'm not really trying to hurt anyone. Especially you. I'm just ... I have to figure myself out." It wasn't much of an explanation, but it was all he had. He didn't know why he was trying to explain; actually, yes he did. He didn't like seeing Callie in pain. He couldn't stand it, even though it was impossible for him to avoid it at the moment.
He smiled at her, "I figure that's what happened," he teased. "Any other questions?" The second the words were out of his mouth, he wished he hadn't said them. What if she took it back to ... please she would bring something else up. He was tired of trying to explain himself.
@jill5
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Aug 28, 2016 16:10:15 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2016 16:10:15 GMT -7
@brandon <3 Callie listened to Brandon's words. She wasn't sure what to say. All she knew was that she wanted to cry, wanted to just hold him, take in his smell. But she couldn't. Because it was wrong. It was so wrong that it was so right, and she sometimes ... sometimes wished she wasn't his sister. Callie couldn't speak. She just nodded her head as she stared down at her hands. She understood him, but she was still hurt.
Callie forced a smile to Brandon. She knew she had questions, but she wasn't going to ask them. Risking Brandon getting angry again was not what she wanted. "How is your music going?" She was genuinely curious, she knew he loved it. And as she asked, she pictured him singing the song he wrote for her...Outlaws. Callie breathed out slowly, shutting her eyes.
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Aug 29, 2016 17:41:06 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2016 17:41:06 GMT -7
He was sure she understood him. Well, almost sure. Brandon wanted to find something that would help her. But what could he do? It wasn't like he could just pull her in his arms and kiss her like he wanted to. They were siblings now. But ... siblings gave one another hugs, right? Before he could change his mind, Brandon scooted so he was facing Callie. He reached forward and grabbed her hands, pulling her close before he wrapped his arms around her. It was a little awkward hugging someone when you were sitting, but it was the thought that counted, right? Besides, something just felt right about having her in his arms. "I'm sorry Cal," he muttered, still not ready to pull away.
He smiled, "It's going good. I have a few new songs I'm trying to work on, but it's not coming as smoothly as I wished it would." Why did he tell her that? The truth was, he had a hard time writing new songs since things got bad with his family. He came up with some ideas sometimes, but his muse was off. She didn't need to know all that though. "But it's fine. How are ... things going with school?" Did he already ask that? Probably. Why did she have to distract him so much?
@jill5
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Aug 30, 2016 11:22:17 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2016 11:22:17 GMT -7
@brandon <3 Brandon's reaction shocked her. It was...a good shock but also a curious shock. She wasn't going to refuse a hug from him, never. And he probably thought of it as a brother hugging his sister, which, technically, she should be thinking that way as well. Callie settled her head on his shoulder. "It's not your fault, Brandon..."
She rose her eyebrows. "Why not? Anything I can help with? Callie was a singer and she played guitar; of course she didn't play piano but Brandon used to go to her for advice. "It's okay, pretty crazy with the tournament..." That's when she realized... Brandon was here for the tournament. Callie looked at him very seriously. "I don't want you to get hurt."
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Aug 31, 2016 18:20:58 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2016 18:20:58 GMT -7
Brandon's pulse started racing when she didn't pull away. He hoped she couldn't feel it when she put her head on his shoulder, but he still wasn't ready to let her go. Then she said that it wasn't his fault and he instinctively wanted to argue. He felt his body tense as he prepared himself to disagree with her, until he realized he'd just be starting their previous conversation up again. He didn't want to do that. He tried to force himself to relax, eventually pulling away from her with a forced smile on his face. "You're wrong, but thanks for saying that," he responded with a smile.
He shrugged when she asked if she could help, "I don't know. It's just ... I guess I've hit a hard spot," he tried to explain without really explaining it. He didn't want to tell her that it was because of his feelings for her, and how hard he was trying to push them away.
He was glad when she started to talk about the tournament. Then her face went serious and she said she didn't want her to get hurt. He smiled softly at her, "I'm not going to get hurt, Cal. I probably won't even be chosen, you know. Odds are I'll be rooting for someone else."
@jill5
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Aug 31, 2016 18:42:46 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2016 18:42:46 GMT -7
@brandon <3 Callie felt Brandon pull away and smile at her. She smiled back, even though it was extremely forced. He let go, and Callie didn't want him to do that. She scooted back over, a bit of a ways from him and looked up at his eyes. "You're welcome, and...you're wrong." Callie actually gave him a real smile this time.
She looked down and began picking at the grass at her feet, pulling it out and throwing it back down. She wasn't sure what he meant about a rough spot, so she shrugged. "Well, if you need my help at all, Brandon, I can help figure something out." Callie looked up at him and licked her lips. He seemed...nervous, or agitated. She couldn't spot his exact feeling. "Well, I ... this is mean, but I hope you don't get picked. I'd rather you be watching from the sidelines anyways."
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Aug 31, 2016 19:30:39 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2016 19:30:39 GMT -7
Brandon's fake smile became easier when she said that he was wrong. He rolled his eyes a little. "You're just saying that because you have to," he teased, sure that she would see it for what it was. She knew him, after all. She should be able to realize that he was trying to lighten the mood.
He nodded when she offered her help. "Thank you Callie." He paused, wondering if he should tell her the truth, the fact that he hadn't touched a piano in months. He couldn't stand to, but ... since coming back to Hogwarts he had a few song ideas he wanted to try out. The problem was, he couldn't bring himself to touch a piano. He looked away from her, glancing out across the lake. "I haven't played in months," he muttered so quietly he was almost sure she wouldn't be able to hear what he said. He hadn't meant to say it, after all.
He looked back to her when she said she didn't want him to be chosen. His eyebrow rose at her, "I don't want to be on the sidelines. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I want in," Brandon smiled a little, trying to soften the blow. He knew she wasn't going to like that.
@jill5
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Sept 2, 2016 15:10:03 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2016 15:10:03 GMT -7
@brandon <3 Callie saw his smile change for only a moment. Forced became real, and Callie's heart became whole again. She let out a breath of air, and gave him a true smile back. He deserved it; hell, they both deserved to be happy. And yet, that was something that would not happen. "I'm saying it because that's what I believe, but sure, Brandon."
She nodded her head at him. Brandon was the type that wouldn't ask for help, it would need to be offered and then pretty much forced upon him, which is why Callie didn't take too much notice in it. But then he murmured something, and she squinted her eyes, before they opened wide again. Callie turned her body towards him, crossing her legs and tilting her head. "Why not? You used to play every day, Brandon..." Callie missed hearing him play all day. It had been very calming, and it was now gone, and it was lost in her thoughts.
It pained her to think that Brandon wanted to do something like this. Yeah, it was fun and all, but it was also extremely dangerous. People have died in this tournament, and Callie was glad Jude wasn't old enough to enter. He probably would have. "That's your opinion, Brandon. But like I said, I just don't want you hurt."
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Sept 3, 2016 21:24:53 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2016 21:24:53 GMT -7
"Don't get upset," he teased, still smiling. "You should know that I didn't mean it." She was smiling back at him and he loved it. He missed her smile since he left, missed seeing her happy and free. Not like he'd seen her like that since he came back. He probably had much more to do with that than he wanted to.
Callie was focusing entirely on him now and Brandon knew that she heard him. Of all the rotten luck. Now he had to try and find a way to explain himself that was honest enough she'd believe him. He shrugged, trying to act like his not playing wasn't a big deal, even though he knew it was. He loved his music, he missed it more than he could explain, it just didn't feel right anymore. He didn't want to do anything else with his life, but he lost his muse and wasn't sure how to get it back. "I don't know. I'm just not in the mood to play lately. It'll come back," he answered with confidence but he wasn't completely sure if he was telling the truth. Still, he idn't want to admit that to her. Or to anyone, to tell the truth.
Brandon smiled, trying to reassure her, "I'm not going to get hurt. Even if I get chosen- which probably won't happen- I will do everything in my power to not get hurt. Besides, I'm sure they're taking precautions to keep this thing safe. You have nothing to worry about when it comes to me," he placed a hand on her shoulder, wondering if that would help reassure her too.
@jill5
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Sept 4, 2016 12:12:41 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2016 12:12:41 GMT -7
@brandon <3 He seemed shock to see that Callie had heard him. Her eyes narrowed slightly, curious. What was he doing? Why wasn't he playing? Callie knew this wasn't just any spot he was stuck on. There was really something wrong. Brandon never had issues playing piano, especially for so long. He always played, whenever he had free time. And for her to hear that he just didn't know why he wasn't playing was concerning. "I don't believe you, Brandon..." Her words were muttered quietly, but she knew he heard them.
Callie smiled back, and her eyes widened at his touch on her shoulder. It wasn't what she had been expecting. Every touch from him was always so different, always a different emotion running through her. And yet, it comforted her all the same. "If you say so, Brandon."
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Sept 5, 2016 15:27:14 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2016 15:27:14 GMT -7
Great. She didn't believe him. Not that he really expected her to believe him, but he hoped. He didn't like lying to her, didn't like trying to come up with half-truths, but he felt like that was all he did lately. He looked up at her, staring into her eyes. "But I don't feel like playing, Callie. For the first time in my life, music isn't calming me or relaxing me and I have to figure out why and how to fix it. I know there's nothing else I want to do with my life, I know it'll come back, I just have to figure it all out." Would that work? It was more of the truth than he gave before, but still not all of it.
He smiled, "Don't worry about me Callie. I can take care of myself."
@jill5
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last online Apr 28, 2024 20:28:24 GMT -7
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Sept 6, 2016 11:05:59 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2016 11:05:59 GMT -7
@brandon <3 Callie's heart lurched forward a bit as she stared into those blue eyes and he stared back. He seemed very upset, and it didn't sit well with her that he was giving up on it so fast and that it wasn't helping. Nervously, she swallowed, and shrugged at him. "Well...maybe, uh...maybe playing 'Outlaws' would help?" Granted it was just a suggestion, but who knows, right?
Then Callie shrugged. She hoped Brandon wouldn't get hurt; that would be heart wrenching for her. And he'd be in pain... Callie didn't want that.
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