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Street Music

Callie crashed on the couch as soon as she got to the house. Somehow, the brunette had managed to get out without a single scrape.

But she didn't consider that a good thing. She hated herself. The brunette found it easier to care for the ones she loved more than she took care of herself.

Because they were important. She was not. Callie, however was not suicidal at all. She just didn't think all that highly about herself.

The girl had become more distant and quieter from the Fosters, if that was even possible. She stayed silent during meals and ate very small portions of her food, which didn't go unnoticed by Lena and Stef.

But nobody tried to push her, which Callie was grateful for. The brunette had slept in the big bedroom with the two women for the second time. They held her so close it began to suffocate her, and she quickly threw them off. Pulling her knees to her chest Callie bent over and cried.

"Sweetie, what's wrong?" Stef asked, looking at the tearful girl, "What's wrong baby?"

"I... I..." She sniffled and wiped a tear away, "I need to get out of here." She got up and grabbed her clothes, quickly putting on her clothes before running out the door,

Lena and Stef did not catch her this time.

They searched everywhere the next morning; Jude's house, the beach, the coffee shop.

"Stef, you don't think she'd go back to the streets, do you?"

"Oh, God I hope not."

A soft strum of a guitar suddenly filled the two women's ears as they continued to walk on. And there they saw a crowd of people standing around someone, though Stef and Lena couldn't tell who.

"...She'll be shoutin' hallelujah when she comes."

"Hallelujah!" The crowd shouted.

"They'll be shoutin' hallelujah when she comes!"

"Hallelujah!"

"They'll be shoutin' hallelujah, they'll be shoutin' hallelujah, they'll be shoutin' hallelujah when she comes." The song ended, and the crowd applauded. Many of them dropping dollar bills in the guitar case.

Lena and Stef included. They looked down at the brunette sitting down, guitar held in hand.

"Nice guitar." Lena observed, "Where'd ya get it?"

"Um..."

"Did you take it from Brandon's room?"

"Um..."

Stef shook her head and sat down next to the girl, "You scared the crap out of us, Cal."

"Why?"

"Wha-? What do you mean why?" Stef asked, "Cal, you need to come home with us."

"Why?" Callie asked once again, beginning to strum at her guitar again, catching the attention of some passers-by. She didn't sing this time, only hum.

Stopping the tune, the brunette jumped in surprise as she felt someone's hands on her shoulders. And it most definitely was not Stef and Lena.

"You're really good at that guitar, y'know?" A male voice said, slowly walking in front of her, "We could really use pretty girls like you in the music business." He grabbed her hand, "I know a music producer. Isn't that cool?"

She nodded silently, shivering as she watched his hand move to her waist, dangerously close to her butt.

"I'm going to make you a star, baby."

"Okay sir, you need to get away from that girl right now." Stef ordered, watching Callie shake in fear.

"And who are you to tell me what to do? This girl wants me, I can tell."

"Okay, sir, this is not appropriate. Let her go." She bent down next to Callie and pulled her away from the stranger. But he pulled a gun out of his pocket and pointed it straight as Stef.

"You leave her alone." Callie ordered, stepping in front of the blonde.

"Sweetheart, it's okay." Stef soothed, trying to get the girl to move. But she didn't.

"Sit back down with me baby and I will." He said, a smirk on his face. Nodding, the brunette slid down next to the man, never letting go of Stef's hand. The man leaned in and puckered his lips.

Then Callie raised her fist and punched him right in the face. The three heard a loud snap and saw blood pouring out of his nose, along with a large purple bruise. She had broken his nose.

"Come on, come on, come on!" The brunette ordered, dragging Stef behind her as she saw him chasing the three of them, gun held in hand. Dragging the blonde faster, she pushed the two around the block and finally managed to lose him. Breathing heavily, she looked at Lena and Stef with the utmost concern, "Are you two alright?"

"Yes, yes honey we're fine." Stef assured, "But I must say that was a very stupid thing to do, I mean, what were you thinking?"

"I was thinking I had to get the two of you out of here before anyone else got hurt." Callie said as if it was obvious, "Now go home before that guy comes back."

"No. Not without you, love. We need you to come home with us. It isn't safe for you out here. I mean, that man could've hurt you."

"I know how to defend myself."

"Yes, we saw that very clearly. But this isn't up for negotiation young lady, you are coming home with us." Stef's voice said firmly.

Callie knew she had no choice, "Fine."

Wrapping an arm around the brunette's waist, Stef led them to the car and drove them home.

Stef unlocked the door, holding it open for Lena and Callie. The group were quickly cornered by Brandon, who seemed to be furious. He looked down at the guitar held in the brunette's hand.

"So, it was you who took my guitar?" He yanked it out of her hands, "I should've known. What'd you need this for? Were you going to use it as a weapon?"

"No." Callie answered firmly.

"Then what did you use it for? Because I know sure as hell you weren't going to play it. Right, Moms?"

"Actually B, that's exactly what she was doing." Stef confirmed.

"What? You're lying."

"No. We are not. We heard her play and she's actually really good." Lena smiled at the brunette, "She even sings a little, too."

"Since when are you a musician?" The tall boy asked, crossing his arms and staring at the girl. She shook her head and glared at him, "Since when do you care?"

Callie stomped upstairs, pausing to shoot another glare Brandon's way before reaching the top.

"Really, Brandon?" Stef scolded, "That girl's been some serious shit and you really think saying stuff like that is going to make her feel better?"

"She stole my guitar!"

"I don't care!" The blonde pointed to the stairs, "You need to go upstairs and apologize right now young man!"

"This isn't my fault! She's the one who needs to respect another person's property. Seriously, why'd you bring her here in the first place?"

"She was alone Brandon. Callie needed some help! She needs a family!"

"Yeah, well why did it have to be ours?"

As the mothers and son bickered, nobody noticed the girl standing at the top of the stairs, listening to the conversation.

A/N: Sorry this chapter was so short! I had trouble writing it. Hope you like it still!

~Sellybelly411