Callie accidentally handed in the wrong assignment - the one where she admitted that she wanted to run away again, before Stef and Lena could decide to undo her adoption.

(Just an idea I had about how the moms would assure Callie that she was still loved and wanted.)

Timothy had introduced Callie to writing. She'd never considered it before she joined his class but his incessant encouragement for writing made her realize that all the feelings and thoughts she'd been bottling up for years could be put down on paper and then destroyed so that she didn't have to carry it all inside anymore. It was a release for Callie and she didn't have to ever let anyone read it if she didn't want to. There were so many things she could admit on paper and part of the release was finding new and inventive ways of destroying them. The first one about Liam had been torn up because of Talya, and at that time she didn't think she'd ever write so honestly again. But after a while she found herself once again baring her heart and soul out in words.

She wrote about how relieved she felt that she as back home where she belonged. She admitted that her time at Girl's United had done her good but the relief and security she felt at being back was something she'd never felt before. She'd burned that sheet of paper in a tin can in the back yard one afternoon when she was alone. Her essay about finding out that Donald wasn't her birth father was buried, just like her mother and her regret at choosing to live with Robert was written on a paper napkin from the burger stand and then tossed into the waves.

Today, Callie had spent her lunch writing about her latest regret - her union with Brandon and what would now happen because of it. She easily filled one page and was just a few lines into another when the bell rang and she headed to Timothy's English class.

"So, today we're going to write about loss." Timothy announced to his senior class. "It can be any kind of loss - the loss of a loved one, the loss of a dream, the loss of time. Think of something that you regret having lost and how your life changed because of it."

This topic was easy for Callie - she would fearlessly bet that of all the kids currently in the classroom, she'd lost the most. She took a new sheet of paper and began to write about losing her mother and along with that her freedom, security and childhood. She wrote about how her entire life had changed the moment her dad got behind the wheel even though he was drunk. Page after page Callie talked about the repercussions of the loss of her mother and she soon lost track of time. The bell rang and Timothy began collecting everyone's papers but Callie was far from done - there was just too much to write in a forty minute class.

"You can finish when I return it Callie." Timothy offered when everyone else's papers had been collected. "It doesn't matter that it's not complete, I just need to see how your writing has improved over the term."

Callie reluctantly collected all three sheets she'd written and gave them over to Timothy, or so she thought - little did she realize that she'd handed in a fourth sheet as well. The one where she admitted to wanting to run away.

Timothy knew instantly that this page wasn't part of his assignment and the right thing to do would be to return it to Callie and respect her privacy but the words made his gut clench and so he did what he had to do.

"Lena?" Timothy knocked on the vice-principal's door and waited for her nod for him to enter.

"Sorry to disturb you but I really thought I should give this to you." He said as he handed Lena the page. "Callie accidentally handed it in with her assignment." He said nervously.

Lena took the sheet and placed it on her desk, assuming that Timothy just wanted her to return it to Callie.

"I would have returned it to her myself but I really think you should read it." Timothy added, pausing a moment as Lena's expression turned to a frown, wondering what her daughter had written. "I don't know all the details, that's all I got, but it seems pretty serious."

"Thank you." Lena said, almost dismissively, desperate to read the paper and find out what had the teacher so worried.

...I never should have done it. I know it now and I knew it then. But I did and I can't take it back. It was the only way I could think of to still be tied to this family. I couldn't lose them. I know they always said I would be part of the family no matter where I live or what I did but it's not the same. I wanted to be Callie Adams Foster so bad. And I finally got it but I screwed it up and now they are so mad at me. If they decide that they don't want me anymore and they undo my adoption I don't think I could live. I'd rather run away than stick around to hear those words...

Lena felt like crying as she read the words. She could practically feel the pain and fear her daughter was obviously feeling and she knew that they had to handle this soon. Callie would run, she knew that; it was the girl's M.O. and they couldn't wait any longer. They had waited until Nick was found and then a few days for everyone to settle down after the drama. Then they were waiting for the other kids to be out of the house but clearly they were waiting too long.

Lena called Stef and asked her to meet her at the school immediately. They had to discuss this so that they could talk to Callie together as soon as school was over. Lena didn't want to give Callie a chance to disappear.

"Well, we tell her we aren't undoing anything." Stef said as she finished reading the page. "We're mad and upset, yes, but she's still our daughter."

"She obviously doesn't know that." Lena commented. "I mean, Brandon's just as much to blame for this so it's not right that she thinks her punishment would be getting rid of her while Brandon's would be a grounding or something."

"If anything, I think Brandon is more to blame." Stef commented, shaking her head at just how messed up everything seemed. "He knew her history and he knew how much he could mess things up for her."

"She knew it too." Lena said softly, realizing that laying more blame on either one was unfair. "Both times they both knew it was wrong. It's why she ran last time as well. Thankfully this time we have a chance to stop her."

"Um." Stef nodded with relief as she began to reread the paragraph as Lena picked up her phone to text Timothy.

Thank you for giving me Callie's essay. Lena texted the English teacher.

Of course. It seemed important. I really hope she understands why I didn't return it to her instead. Timothy replied.

I'll make sure she does. You did the right thing. Lena sent back, know just how strongly Timothy felt about his students privacy. He often had his students write assignments just for themselves but she was definitely glad that he didn't keep this one to himself.

Thanks. Timothy smiled. He knew that Lena and Stef would take care of whatever it was that Callie was so worried about. He just hoped that it didn't stop the girl from writing or from trusting him either.

"Um... Timothy." His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his door and when he looked up, the girl in question was standing nervously waiting to enter.

She's here. He quickly texted his boss before turning his attention to the girl.

"Have you started checking our essays yet?" Callie asked curiously. "I think I handed in an extra sheet by mistake and I really need it." She explained, hoping to get the paper back and destroy it.

"Um, I have actually and I did read yours. It was the last one submitted so it was right on top." Timothy explained as he pulled out Callie's essay from the pile. "I have to say your writing has gotten very good since you first came here. I can actually feel all the pain you were going through since your mother's passing." He praised, hoping to stall long enough for Lena to get here.

"Thanks." Callie smiled halfheartedly, still hoping to just her what she'd come for and disappear. "The extra page?" She questioned, reminding him of why she was here in the first place.

"Right." Timothy said, wondering what to say exactly.

But thankfully for him he didn't have to say anything for at that moment Lena's voice was heard from the doorway.

"Callie." Lena said, drawing the girl's attention.

Callie turned to find Stef and Lena standing at the classroom door, determined looks on their faces. She turned back to Timothy, already knowing what he'd done. Timothy looked back at her, his face filled with sympathy but no regret. He knew he'd done the right thing and he wasn't sorry about it.

"Come on Callie, let's go home." Stef said, more than ready to get her home and really talk to her.