not your baby

nixon.

“I think this might be the first time I’ve ever wanted something not to go wrong at a party,” Nixon admitted, draining the last of his glass casually. Surprisingly enough, he wasn’t out of his mind drunk or high as a kite and he planned on keeping it that way. “But if something does, and I’m sure it will, somebody better have their phone out.” 

“ my heart is warmed, ” callista drawled sarcastically, bringing her own glass to her lips and tapping absentmindedly on the side as she watched the partygoers. nothing had made her regret opening up the guest list so far, but she wasn’t going to rule anything out. stranger things had happened. “ hopefully a good fight. nothing gets the people going like a little bloodshed. ”

tessa. 

“I didn’t understand what the big deal everyone was making about getting invited to this party was, but…” Tessa trailed off, distracted by someone walking past. All the costumes were amazing, though her pop culture knowledge wasn’t up to scratch on who a lot of them were supposed to be. “I was going to suggest checking out the haunted house I heard was in the basement, but now that I’ve seen how invested they were in those heads on the fountain I don’t think it’s going to be the corny kind of haunted house. These people might actually be rich enough to have real ghosts.”

with one last satisfied look in the mirror and a quick check that everything was in order ( a hostess’ duties are never done ), she arrived fashionably late to the party with her girls at her side. a hearty drink in hand, she was moving through the party when someone caught her attention, a smirk curling on lacquered lips. inviting the whole town was a decidedly uncharacteristic move for callista singh, but it was time for a change. and at this point, she could take all the karma she could get. “ well, you’re not wrong. there are definitely ghosts in this house but they’re much too flighty with their evening plans. ”

jorge. 

**

“That explains why he thinks he can do shit like this, to you of all people and get away with it.” Jorge shook his head, “He’ll get his, Cali.” Out right violence wouldn’t be beneficial for anyone but him, but Jorge believed that people like that, who felt untouchable always fucked up and got theirs at some point. That didn’t help now though, and the frustrating part was that he didn’t know how to help, not really aside from helping her clean herself up and giving her a place to lay low. “Yeah of course. If you wanted to shower or something you’re welcome to. There’s a dresser in there, shirts are in the top drawer, shorts or sweat pants are in the third.” Jorge got up and was practically scrambling around to find Callista a towel and wash cloth, which he brought back to her, “I just did laundry this afternoon so you’re good.” He ran his hands through his hair and gave her a small smile, “We both know you like my moves.” He told her, “I’ll have a bottle of rum and a glass waiting on you when you get out. Think I’ll grab a beer in the mean time, maybe find something for you to munch on if you’re hungry?” Benitez had no idea how to be a good host, and to Callista of all people so he kind of felt like a chicken with his head cut off, and getting a few moments to breathe and think without her eyes on him would help him get his shit together more for her.

a smile tinged with sadness hovers on cut lips as jorge speaks, wanting to believe that what he’s saying is true. she used to think that something would strike her ex down, that he would get careless and slip up and everything he deserved would finally come to him twofold. but it hadn’t happened yet and callista was losing faith in the notion that his behaviour would ever warrant a punishment. she was too used to all of the people in her life using their connections to eradicate their bad deeds. she was even guilty of it, to a certain extent, for standing by while her record was expunged. her eyes roll but there’s no actual seriousness behind it as he mentions his moves. he’s not really wrong, anyways, even if she wouldn’t admit it. “ no, i’m all good. i don’t think i could really hold anything down right now. ” she nodded, touched by how he seemed to be genuinely worried about her. “ jorge? ” she lingered by the doorway of the washroom, her eyes finding his. “ thanks again. for everything. ” she paused for a moment, hoping that her tone conveyed everything that she didn’t know how to say. the steady pressure of the water on her was a relief and she shut her eyes as the blood washed from her hair and body, residual tears mixing in. it didn’t take long for her to pull on a pair of his sweatpants and a sweater, noting her appearance in the fogged up mirror. if only her mother could see her now, hiding out with someone she would never deem appropriate and her hair loose and wet around her shoulders, no makeup to hide her from the world. she touches a finger to the bruises blooming on her cheek, knowing that they would all be visible on her body soon. she closes the bathroom door behind her softly, chewing on her bottom lip. jorge’s never seen her looking less than perfect and now here she was, completely vulnerable. “ no laughing about what i look like right now, alright? ”

sage.

“Okay, but what kind of costume person are you? Heidi Klum, Chanyeol type or my cousin who dressed up in a Grinch onesie and won Christmas? I’ve seen on Pinterest that the sheet ghost costume is coming back, you could go for that safe bet. Any of the Britney eras… sexy Harley Quinn because why not? Oh, what’s trending on Netflix?“

“ okay, first things first. what, pray tell, is a onesie? my mother would have a conniption if i cut her frette egyptian cotton sheets so that could work, actually. and you’re absolutely reading my mind, britney spears throughout the years deserves to be done. lots to think about. which look will you be blessing us with this year? ” 

keaton. 

“And you think vogue is gonna give you all those answers? I thought they were more high fashion that…Halloween costumes. Here I was calling you to hear your suggestions for my own costume and you can’t even decide one for you?” Keaton scoffed playfully as ate his lunch. “What do you think of couple’s costume? Are they a thing or not?”

“ have i not taught you anything, chadwell? other than the kim kardashion cover, vogue is always the answer. ” she had just opened her mouth to respond when keaton asked about couple’s costumes and then two dark brows shot up in curiosity. “ they definitely are. but i think the bigger question is, who are you a thing with? ”

liam. 

“Uh….I don’t know if you’re asking the right person. I’m fucking terrible with halloween costumes and half the time the lacrosse team all goes as the same shit,” he admitted, not really looking up from his phone as he did, smiling slightly to himself as a text from Jordan came through. “Sexy cat isn’t the worst thing though, I mean could be worse, you could be a sexy cop which in this day and age? Very outdated. Anyone who dresses as a cop this year is getting smacked by me,” he joked and finally looked up. “You really just named dropped Heidi Klum, huh?”

“ if you like the sexy cat look so much, you should suggest that idea to the lacrosse team and really spice things up. ” she wrinkled her nose, nodding along in agreement. “ anyone who shows up as a cop is going to get a real look at brutality first hand, i bet. ” ysl covered shoulders lifted in a shrug, her fingers turning the pages aimlessly. “ she’s an old family friend. why, you want an introduction? ”

suede.

Suede groaned deeply and let her head fall to the back of the couch. “I know. What the hell are we doing dragging our feet on something like this? Someone suggested the Plastics to me the other day when I said the three of us might dress up together but I think they may be overdone. I was thinking the girls from A Cinderella Story with their Charlie’s Angels look? But we also don’t have to do a group one. We just need to get it moving in one direction or another. I’m not about to mess up my first Rosewood Halloween.”

moving in with suede and aggie had been one of her best decisions to date and every day seemed to affirm that more and more. she sat up straighter on her side of the couch, allowing the magazine to fall to her lap as she rested her hands under her chin in a patented thinking pose. “ all immaculate options. your first rosewood halloween deserves the best, and i think that calls for a group option. my heart says the iconic cinderella story look, but i’ve always wanted to do the kill bill girls and if anyone could do them justice, it’s us. ”

siobhan. 

“ please, that’s not tragic. that just means that you work best under pressure. ” siobhan said, with a scoff because that’s what she was telling herself as neither kid nor she had yet to decide what they were going to be celebrating the big day as. “ but i have seen pictures of the people who go to said party and i am safe in assuming that you outshined about half of the party? ” siobhan asked callista, as most celebrities played it safe to these big events… well, unless you’re rihanna… or her. “oh no, not that. now, i’m not opposed to sexy anything, but sexy… followed by an animal is an instant chop for me.”

“ maybe, but who am i if not the best dressed at a party? ” the words do strangely have a calming effect on her. if she could get off a red eye flight just in time to coordinate an outfit for the vanity fair oscar party, she could do anything. “ that was the year heidi went as jessica rabbit and basically broke the internet so no outshining was done that year, unfortunately. ” she places a hand to her chest, siobhan’s words music to her ears. “ ugh, you’re not allowed to leave me again. people just don’t understand the sanctity of choosing the right look these days. ”

Jorge had questions of his own; about how Callista knew Ace why exactly wouldn’t he be a fan of hers, but he didn’t want to bombard her with questions all things about tonight considered. Jorge shook his head though, his curls bouncing as he did, “The thought of it feels pretty damn worth it. But it’s not me who was wronged so it’s not on me to decide what to do, but if you ever change your mind just say the word.” Her words were tender, and the sincerity couldn’t be missed - it mattered to her and he didn’t exactly know how that happened, but he knew it was true. “Thanks, but there was nothin’ I could do but get away and I did so I’m good.” He nodded, “Yeah it’s okay. You just saved me time trying to convince you. It’s not much but make yourself at home. You can take the bed, I’ll crash on the couch. You uh…wanna get drunk? I mean, might as well, right? God knows you deserve it.”

“ it’s a tempting offer. i’ve thought of about five different ways i could rearrange his face but his dad’s a judge and i don’t think that revenge would end well for anyone. ” cowardly was never a word that callista had associated with herself and she was proud of it. until this all started nearly a year ago and suddenly, it was like that iron will of hers had slowly drained away when it came to her relationship. every second that passed without her telling someone, anyone, made her feel weaker and weaker until she became numb to it; more like her mother than she had ever wanted to be. “ right, ” she clears her throat, finally detaching her hand from his. she’s not really sure what had come over her in that moment, overt displays of attention weren’t exactly her brand. “ and, uh, maybe a shirt if you have it? i don’t think blood and gucci match, ” she glances down at the blood splattered on her shirt, though salvaging it is the farthest thing from her mind. really, what she wants, is to feel safe tonight. and that would require him sleeping somewhere closer. like the floor or even the bed ( with the required distance between them obviously ) but how the hell is she supposed to ask that of someone that hated her guts a few months ago? and someone that she might have thought about sharing a bed with in passing, but that’s beside the point. “ why not? i think i might need something stronger than wine tonight, though. if i get drunk enough maybe i can even teach you how to dance properly. ”

“Yeah, that’s pretty much the extent of it too.” The jokes were brief, the elephant in the room demanded to be acknowledged. It made him feel sort of idiotic, how he hadn’t said or done something, though logically what would he have said to her? What would have changed things. Logic wasn’t the thing that was in the drivers seat; it was feeling and he felt for Callista, and could feel how low she was in the moment. “Last time I didn’t know.” He’d heard her and ran his thumb over the back of hers in a soothing gesture. “I’m serious. The guy I work for, Ace. He’s a fuckin’ psycho when he wants to be, hurts people for fun so if I asked him to at the least he’d sic a couple of greasers on him, and at worst…” He didn’t finish the sentence. His affiliation with the greasers wasn’t something Benitez discussed all that much, especially since he himself wasn’t actually a greaser, but he did good work so if he asked for a favor he was confident he’d get it granted. “We’re not talking about me. None of that shit matters.” He finished up, “You’re good for now.” He was looking her in the eye, then drew a deep breath, “What now? Whatever you need, I wanna help.”

any humour that may have accompanied his words died in her throat. the very thought of jorge putting himself in any kind of harm’s way for her was something she couldn’t accept. after all, callista had her own brand of fierce loyalty and he had captured hers. “ i don’t exactly think ace is my biggest fan. but regardless, it’s not worth it, alright? ” there was no doubt that the greasers would do some damage, especially greasers led by ace claymore, but she knew that there would be retaliation and the last thing she wanted to do was drag jorge, or anyone else, into this anymore than she already had. his statement brings questions flooding to her mind ( he worked with ace? ) but they have time for that, she thinks. she hopes, despite herself. “ it matters to me, ” she speaks softly, a tenderness in her tone not usually reserved for him. it’s true, and she finds herself genuinely wanting to know more about him, but she’s not going to push it. their hands were still joined and it’s enough to make the words tumble out of her mouth. “ is it okay if i stay here for the night? ”

Jorge wasn’t about to do anything Callista didn’t want to do, so he agreed by nodding his head faster than he realized why - she was famous…sort of, enough that her in a hospital would make somebody’s blog or headlines. “It’s all good, I got better drugs and a personable bedside manner anyway.” His joke didn’t hold it’s usual snark, rather it was gentle with an edge of hopefulness that it would help in some small way. So he focused on getting her cleaned up, trying hard to be gentle while doing everything one handed; if she needed to hold on to him then so be it.” His eyes burned when she told him what happened, he knew what his instinct told him to do, and he wanted to do it so fast his pulse quickened, but he was somewhere and would get his, but Callie was there now and she needed him, “It’s nothin’.” He stopped to look her in the eye, “I’m glad you came. And he’s never gonna touch you again.” He swallowed, “And I’m sorry this happened to you, I don’t know how many times.” He had a hunch before, but this all but confirmed that tonight wasn’t the first time, “But it’s fucked up, and I know what getting knocked around makes you feel like, so I’m sorry.” 

the crazy, unbelievable notion that she is currently sitting on jorge benitez’s couch, holding his fucking hand while he tended to the bruises that her ex had so lovingly left behind is not lost on callista. she’s pretty sure that she could have confidently put this on her top five of ‘ things less likely to happen than kim kardashian winning the nobel peace prize.’ without batting a dior coated eyelash. but the unthinkable has clearly happened, she had her found her way to his doorstop in a moment of rare vulnerability. and it’s not the personal level of hell that she had been anticipating. far from it, actually, as she finds her breathing starting to level out. a ghost of a laugh falls from her lips as he jokes softly. “ you haven’t told me to screw off yet so i think your bedside manner is improving. ” normally, callista singh would be absolutely horrified that she was clinging to anyone’s hand like a lifeline, let alone his, but there are more pressing issues on her mind. like the havoc that her former ball and chain could wreak on her family, the secrets he knows and the influence his name carries. this time, he had looked at her like he could kill -— she can’t go there. it’s not a place she’s willing to go to in her mind. “ that’s what i thought the last time, ” she mutters, her gaze fixed on their joined fingers. “ that it was the last time he was ever going to touch me. ” she bites down on her lip, unsure of how to handle this kindness he was showing. “ i’m sorry that you know what it feels like. it’s not something i would wish on anyone. ”  there was no sign of malice or teasing in either of their tones, just pure sympathy and understanding and she sees it then. the softness deep down in his chest, the steadfast loyalty for the people he cares about. it’s scarier than any insult he could throw at her could ever be, because it hints at something else. something real. “ for the record, i’m glad i came, too. ”

Truth be told, Jorge wasn’t exactly a wild child these days. Sure he still partied when he was at one, and he wasn’t boring by anyone’s stretch, but he was kind of a home body, especially now when he had a home he lived in alone and felt relatively safe in. Being technically part of a gang, or at least affiliated meant that he still couldn’t just be reckless but he wasn’t looking over his shoulder or anything. So that night saw him chilling out with a joint and a book he’d pirated that he read about on some best of the year list. He was dozing off, kindle on his chest when he’d heard knocks on his door. Unsure of who the hell it could be, he grabbed a crowbar he kept nearby for safety and peeked through the hole to find Callista so he opened the door, seeing bruises and small patches of blood he couldn’t from the small circle, “Cali what happ–” He wasn’t an idiot, he could put two and two together without her saying. He’d met her boyfriend, saw the kind of possessiveness he perceived to have over her and he just knew. “Hey, don’t be sorry, come in.” Carefully, he helped the girl inside and ushered her over to his small couch then kneeled in front of her, “First thing, do you feel like anything is broken or something serious you’d need a hospital for?” His eyes moved all over her body, scanning wildly, surveying the damage done, “I’ve got a first aid kit. I’m gonna grab it and I’ll be right back.” He got up and did just that, grabbing the kit from underneath his kitchen sink as well as a bottle of water, “Do you want to talk about it?” He asked as he offered her the bottle to the girl, his voice gentle. “Let me patch you up?” 

the wave of relief that crashed over callista when she saw jorge’s face should have been more shocking than it was. somehow, he had become someone she trusted in some way, even if she’d never say it. he was the first person that had come to her disoriented mind as she found her way out the door, ears ringing and her heart pounding in her throat. deep down, cali knew that if she would have gone to her shared apartment with suede and aggie, or to jasper, she would be facing something she wasn’t ready to deal with just yet. she’s glad that jorge doesn’t finish his question because her answer would be somewhere between blubbering and a mess. his hand is like a lifeline as he leads her to the couch, keeping her mind focused on the present and not the blows that had landed too close for comfort. wide eyes focus on the man in front of her, head shaking vehemently side to side. “ no hospitals. ” something like a gasp is torn from her lips, one that she tries to quiet so jorge won’t hear it from the kitchen, as she shifts and all the pain sneaks up on her at once. when he’s back, cali finds herself reaching for his hand again, an attempt at staying grounded enough to be able to get out some semblance of an explanation. “ he saw us together at the election party. he was talking shit about you and our friends and -— he has no fucking right to do that. i’m not his property. ” she can’t help the shakiness in her tone or how ridiculous it all sounds. “ i know he has a temper. but i just thought -—, ” she cuts herself off. she’s ashamed to admit that it isn’t the first time, that by staying silent she had been complicit. she nods at his offer to patch him up, her voice soft as her eyes find his for the first time. “ thank you .”

It wasn’t that he was following Callista (that would be weird) but Jorge might have been going to more social events in hopes of running into Cali. Meetings were just that, and with the eyes of their friends on them, Jorge and Callista didn’t interact much, but places like this, parties like this? Well…he got a whole lot more of the princess and as much as he hated to admit to himself that was what he wanted, he was still there. “Well we’re supposed to hold one another accountable in the breakfast club, aren’t we? I’m just following the rules. Anyway, I just happened to hear some people talking, don’t flatter yourself.” He took his time taking a long swig then looked at Cali, face unreadable until he smirked, “Then congratulations. Didn’t know student government was your jam though.” 

if callista was being honest, there were a few reasons that she’d hanging out on the south side lately. it was a place that her ex and his gang of idiots wouldn’t go and if she happened to run into jorge, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. in meetings, they were are their usual best, trading jabs and glares like they always had. but in moments like when this, when it was just the two of them, it was almost like they were two different people. “ you’re following the rules? it’s a modern miracle. ” she held his gaze with hers, ignoring the shiver that had climbed up her spine, chalking it up as a side effect of the alcohol. “ i like to be involved in what’s going on around me. i didn’t know parties like this were your jam.  did you run out of trouble to get into? ”

“I heard through the grape vine that you’re on the student council now.” Jorge said loud enough for Callista to hear as she walked past him from where he stood in the corner of the party nursing a beer. “This the part where I’m supposed to say congratulations, right?” 

@callistafm​

there was a part of callista that was hoping that she’d see a certain member of the breakfast club tonight. after all, if jorge could show up unannounced at the school play, then anything could happen. “ have you been keeping tabs on me? ” she stopped in front of him, a smirk curling on full lips. “ only if it’s sincere. ”