Chapter 1 – Confessions

The school bell rang. Arizona was late for period 3 – biology. She put out the cigarette she was smoking, grabbed her bag and headed for class. She never usually smoked, just occasionally, when she was stressed and she was definitely stressed now. It wasn't the actual lesson that made her this way, she was actually pretty smart and she enjoyed biology in her last school. It's who was in the lesson with her that put her on edge. Calliope Torres; she was the problem. Calliope Torres and her stupid, perfect, wavy, dark hair; Calliope Torres and her annoying, bright, deep, brown eyes; Calliope Torres and her beautiful…No. This was the problem. This girl that Arizona couldn't get out of her head and it was driving her crazy.

Arizona knew she didn't like boys, but she always assumed that it was because she was too young, well now she's 18 and it has become obvious that it wasn't her age that was the problem. Arizona was a lesbian. And she was head over heels in love with one Miss Calliope Torres. Maybe if she just ignored her, these feelings would go away.

Arizona entered her biology lesson and sat down in her usual seat at the back of the class. Not long after she sat down Callie ran into the room.

"Sorry I'm late sir" she said "lost track of time." Callie took her normal seat, next to Arizona at the back of the class; "Hey" she said smiling. Arizona just stared straight ahead, pretending she didn't notice Callie.

"Today you are going to be doing a practical in pairs, follow the instructions on the method sheet" Mr Webber bellowed at the front of the class, he was about 40 years old, tall and balding. Arizona thought he was a one of the best teachers she had had in her high school career. "The apparatus you'll need is available on the desks at the front of the class"

Arizona's eyes quickly scanned the classroom, desperately looking for someone else to work with. She felt a hand on her arm and turned to see Callie's face staring at her, brows furrowed as if she was trying to read Arizona with a great deal of concentration.

Callie's expression then quickly changed to a smile, her last thoughts obviously forgotten "I'll get the equipment, you read through the method sheet" she spoke quickly as she stood up from the bench and moved to the front of the class.

Damn, I can't ignore her now Arizona thought as she picked up the method sheet and began to read it.

The rest of the lesson passed slowly for Arizona as she attempted to avoid eye contract with Callie as much as possible. When the bell rang she gave out an audible sigh making Callie look at her again.

As the class filed out of the room Callie grabbed Arizona's arm and pulled out behind the bike sheds, Arizona didn't protest, she knew she had been acting like a bitch the whole way through biology, she just didn't know that Callie would make such a big deal out of it.

"Are you OK?" Callie spoke softly with concern in her eyes; this wasn't what Arizona was expecting. She thought Callie was going to yell at her for ignoring her all the way through the experiment.

Arizona mumbled a shy "I'm fine" as she stared at the ground. A strong hand lifted her chin up until she was looking Callie straight in the eye "I'm fine" she repeated, more confidently this time, swatting Callie's hand from her chin.

"Then why are you acting like such a brat today" Callie got straight to the point, she didn't appreciate being treated like crap for an hour. Her voice softened again as Arizona flinched at her harsh tone, "I thought we were friends Arizona, you can speak to me about anything…if you want" Callie ducked her head trying to regain Arizona's eye contact and she smiled once she did. "Can you please just tell me what's wrong?"

Arizona hesitated, if she said it out loud then it would just make it more real, she backed away from Callie and started searching her pockets for another cigarette. She had never been put in this situation before and didn't know what the correct way was to react. "I um…" she started as she lit the cigarette, not noticing the shock in Callie's eyes as she took a drag. "I think I urm…" Arizona stuttered as she tried to confess her feelings. She decided it was Callie's face that was putting her off, she turned around so she was facing the opposite direction and she took another drag, "I like you" Arizona said finally.

"I like you too Arizona, you're my friend" Callie spoke, confused of why Arizona had trouble saying that. She also never knew Arizona smoked and it was a bit of a shock.

Arizona groaned and turned once more to face Callie again "No Calliope, I LIKE you" she said in a rush before her confidence faded. "I like you a lot" she mumbled as a blush spread across her cheeks. "I'm sorry I've been acting like I have, I just didn't know what to do" Callie hadn't said anything yet and it was making Arizona feel uncomfortable. "I'm sorry" she repeated as she picked up her bag and turned to leave.

For the second time that day, a strong hand grabs hold of her arm hindering Arizona's escape. She didn't turn round though; she was too scared to see the hate she knew would be there is Callie's eyes.

"Look at me" a voice commanded "Arizona, please" it begged. Arizona turned to look at Callie in the eye, she didn't see hate as she expected, but saw something that looked like relief instead. "Arizona, I like you too" Callie whispered as if anything louder would break that perfect moment.

Arizona felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders as Callie spoke those words "You do?" she whispered, she had to make sure.

Callie gave out a rich laugh at this point causing the blonde to jump slightly but she couldn't stop herself from smiling at the sound "Of course I like you, you idiot. I thought you knew" Callie had felt the same way towards Arizona since she saw her stumble into her biology class.

Arizona let out a dimpled smile that made Callie's heart flutter "I had no idea" Arizona said, a thought then popped into her head as she finally realised what this meant "Urm…do you maybe want to go out somewhere with me?" when she didn't get a response she began to ramble "I mean you don't have to, I just thought that it would be fun, we could go to the cinema or just have a picnic or maybe…" Arizona was promptly cut off as Callie kissed her chastely on the lips, it was a quick kiss but Arizona was immediately addicted to Callie's taste.

"I would love to go on a date with you Arizona" Callie smiled. Callie was surprisingly calm throughout this whole exchange; she has always been able to think clearly in times like these.

"Okay, super!" Arizona said, sounding more like her usual cheery self, "how's Friday?"

"Friday's fine" Callie answered "I'll see you later" she spoke as the bell rang again.

I can't wait Arizona giddily skipped to her next lesson feeling happier than she had in a long time.