DISCLAIMER: I do not own any characters or songs in this chapter. All songs belong to their respective artists, and all characters belong to Shonda Rhimes.
Chapter One
February 14th, 2012
Arizona's PoV
When I wake up this morning, I feel how I'm sure all single people feel on Valentine's Day. Unwanted and unloved. Sure, it's my own fault that I'm single, but that isn't the point. So I don't like commitment. Not everyone does. Of course, the one girl I want to commit to, I can't.
Callie's PoV
When I wake up this morning, I feel how I'm sure all single people feel on Valentine's Day. Unwanted and unloved. All I want is to be special. To be wanted, to be needed. To be the one who makes the other one's heart flutter.
Arizona's PoV
I want her so much. I need her. She makes my heart flutter. But, just because she's bi, doesn't mean she's interested in me. We're good friends. She wouldn't want to ruin that. I almost don't, but then I think of what I could gain, and I don't mind. I've always had a hopeless crush on her, but then, I don't know, I chicken out. I try to distract myself with other girls, but it just ends up being physical. This is how I got my player reputation. In fact, Mark and I almost have a sort of competition going on. Besides, I'm damaged, broken, and worthless. She deserves so much more than me.
Callie's PoV
I walk into the school, and my nose scrunches up in disgust. There are countless Valentine's Day decorations, including pink hearts plastered to the wall, and little Cupids hanging from the ceiling. Since it's a half day, all students just spend the day in their first hour class. Luckily, mine is Webber's, which is a small class that only consists of my band. Because we're so small, we're all very close. I walk into the band room, and see that Mark, Teddy, Tim, and Arizona have already arrived. As soon Arizona catches my eyes, she grins her huge grin. "Calliope!"
I smile back, an automatic reaction. "Hey Arizona! How's my favorite guitarist?" I ask her.
"Oh I'm great, thanks for asking Callie." Teddy answers, cracking up. Arizona and I only roll our eyes. I walk over and set my backpack down by the wall.
"Hey Torres! You got a Valentines?" Mark asks me.
"Nope, and don't even ask Sloan. Not in your wildest dreams." I answer.
"Nah, you're hot Torres, but I already got one." Mark grins. "Actually, I have several."
"Man whore." Teddy and I scoff simultaneously.
"Oh c'mon, I'm sure Robbins does too. You know she gets as much tail as I do."
"Don't count out this Robbins either." Tim pipes up, and he and Mark crack up.
"For your information pervs, I don't have any. Yet. I have to choose between Julie and Noel." Arizona smirks.
"Noel isn't even gay." I snap, inexplicably hurt by Arizona bringing up her one-night stands.
"Well, she was the other night." Arizona, Mark, and Tim all crack up. I just turn and frown. I don't know why this bothers me so much. Teddy notices my reaction, but doesn't say anything. I just go on unpacking my sheet music. Arizona, Tim, and Mark keep cracking jokes, and comparing notes on all the different whores they've slept with. Finally, when Arizona names yet another girl and her twin and Mark roar in approval, I snap. "Okay Arizona! We get it, you're a player. Now would you 3 shut up and just get ready to rehearse?" I growl, and brush past the blonde to the instrument room and grab my microphone stand, mic, and amp. I turn around angrily and go to storm out, but I find my path blocked by Arizona. I run face first into her, and trip over the mic stand. Arizona somehow manages to upright the mic stand, catch the microphone and prevent the amp from getting damaged. All with her left hand, while she catches me with her right arm.
"Whoa. I think you just fell for me." She grins.
"Spare me." I spit, and gather my things, then blaze out of her warm embrace. I walk back into the main band room, where Tim is getting settled behind his drum set, Mark is hooking his bass up, and Teddy is tuning her guitar. Arizona follows me out. "You want me on guitar or piano today?" The blonde asks.
"Guitar." I snip. I don't know why this is bugging me so much. I've always known Arizona is a player. Why it's all of a sudden bothering me this much is beyond me. Arizona strides over to her case, and pulls out her dark blue 6 string Gibson. It's a beautiful guitar that also manages to bring out Arizona's eyes. Stop torturing yourself Callie. She's a player.
"Actually, Arizona, I think we should work on our "Chasing Cars" cover, so piano it up." I can't focus on how hot she is playing guitar. Wait, since when have I found Arizona hot?
"Really? After I set up my-? …whatever. Never mind, one keyboardist coming up." Arizona packs up the stringed instrument, then uncovers the keyboard, and pulls up a stool. After I finish setting up my mic, I turn to my band. Mark is slapping around a little bass line he came up with, Teddy is playing a riff from one of our songs, Tim is providing a strong foundation for Mark, and Arizona is playing a melody on the keyboard I've never heard before. I see her lips moving, but I can't hear her quiet voice over the sound of the other 3 warming up. I turn back to my microphone.
"Testing. Over." I say to check the feedback. I adjust the bass on my amp a tiny bit, then repeat the sound check. Once everything sounds good, I motion for everyone to quiet down.
"Torres, can we do "Runnin' on Sunshine? It is Valentine's after all." Mark pleads. Teddy, Tim, and Arizona all start begging too. Arizona pulls this pout that is just too adorable. It makes my heart melt… How could I ever say no to that face?
"Ugh, fiiiiine." I give in. Mark immediately jumps into the jazzy bass line that he loves playing. Tim starts another jazzy background, and Arizona does something to her keyboard and plays in time with Mark. Teddy adjusts her pedals, and then begins the funky guitar riff. We all have so much fun with this song, it's ridiculous. I count out the intro, then begin in a deep, sexy (if I do say so myself) voice.
Girl you got me trippin' sunshine
God knows you just made my day
Since you came around no
I just can't slow down no
I wanna see you walkin' my way
"Alright." Arizona drawls. I gasp at her new addition to the song. She's never done that before. I turn to look at her and she winks.
Girl you got me thinkin bout diamonds
Getting down on one knee maybe two
Oo love
People may stop and stare but
I don't even care no
Just as long as I am with you
Teddy finishes her verse then Tim jumps in.
You got me runnin on sunshine
Aint no clouds getting my way
I must be runnin on sunshine
Aint no rain getting in my way
Tim grins then Mark takes over.
Girl you got me actin real crazy
Chasin tail like some old dog
Ooo I got this rocket
In my front left pocket
Ready to explode like bomb
The pelvic thrust Mark always does on the word "bomb" never fails to crack me up. Then Arizona starts.
Somethin tells me your name is Lucy
Cause everything keeps shakin around
We can cop a room
Make these walls go boom
We can do this right here and now now now
Mark, Tim, and Arizona begin harmonizing
Runnin on sunshine
Aint no clouds gettin in my way
I must be runnin on sunshine
Aint no rain getting in my way
Then Teddy and I take over.
Hey just get over yourself
This aint to good for your health
Hey just get over yourself
Now Arizona once more.
Hey just get over yourself
This aint too good for your health
Hey just get over your self, self, self.
"Okay." I raise my eyebrows, and then wink at Arizona, deciding two can play this game. She grins, then Arizona continues her next verse, staring into my eyes as she plays her keyboard and sings.
You got me runnin on sunshine
Aint no clouds gettin in my way
I must be runnin on sunshine
Aint no rain gettin in my way
We all sing together now, and I break eye contact with Arizona.
You got me runnin on sunshine
Aint no clouds gettin in my way
I must be runnin on sunshine
Aint no rain gettin in my way
Teddy and I again. Now I stare into deep blue eyes again.
No doubt
No doubt about it
And there aint no clouds in my skyyy
Arizona counters us
No clouds
We counter back
No doubt
No doubt about it
And there aint no rain in my sky
We keep repeating into the fade. Our vocals fade, then our instruments. Arizona is still gazing into my soul, and somehow, while we were singing, I've moved right in front of her keyboard. I want nothing more than to kiss her right now. Just as I see her start to lean in, the voice of Richard Webber booms out.
"Great job everyone! Glad to see Ms. Torres has gotten you folks nice and warmed up. I have news about state, so listen up!" Webber walks to the dry erase board, and grabs a marker. He begins writing out possible playlists, a good band name, all that stuff. But I'm not paying attention. All I can think about is the fact that I just wanted to kiss one of my best friends. Not to mention, said best friend is a player, and a cocky bastard; a heart breaker. Albeit, a hot heart breaker, but a heart breaker nonetheless. Once Webber wraps up, he dismisses himself, to go finish up at the middle school, leaving us to our own devices once more. Honestly, I wasn't paying attention to a word he was saying anyway. I was too busy staring at Arizona, seeing her in a whole new way. Her eyes snap up to mine, and I blush at being caught. The blonde suddenly stands and power walks over to my chair. She grabs me by the crook of the arm, and drags me to the instrument room. She slams the door behind her after pushing me in.
"Calliope you have to stop." She says.
"Stop what?" I ask, innocently, batting my eyelashes. Am I really flirting right now?
"Callie…" Arizona groans. "You know what."
"I do?" I play resting my hand on her left forearm, and stepping one step closer to her. She backs up against the door.
"Callie… the stolen glances, the flirting, the serenading… We can't do this."
I step closer to her again, our fronts almost touching now. My heart is nearly pounding out of my chest in this close proximity to the blonde.
Arizona's PoV
I'm almost certain that this woman is trying to actually kill me. My will power is draining by the second, and I'm this close to ravaging the gorgeous Latina right now. She takes one more step, and places her hands over my shoulders.
"I would stop, Arizona… But I know you don't want me to." She whispers in a low, seductive voice that makes my heart pound. Without thinking about it, I snake my arms around her waist and pull her into me. We both gasp at the new closeness. I search her eyes, looking for any hesitancy, but finding none. Her arms wrap around my neck, and I get this feeling in my chest I can't explain. But this… this feels right. This is what I've been looking for in my one stands. In my many women, this feeling is what I've been searching for, for so long.
I also know that I can't kiss her right now, because she deserves so much more than this closet we're in. Callie leans in a few inches, our lips are nearly touching, she rests her forehead against mine, and both of our eyes flutter shut.
"Arizona, please kiss me." She begs. Her sweet, warm breath washes over my face, and I nearly cave. But my need to do right that was instilled in my head since birth is strong.
"My god Calliope I want to. I want to so badly, you have no idea. But you deserve so much more than a quick make out session in the band closet." I breathe out. I feel her nod in agreement, and we just stand there, in each other's arms, relishing this feeling. I soon become addicted to her touch, her feel, her smell… everything Callie. After a few minutes, I break our comfortable silence. "No pun intended, but we should probably come out of the closet." Callie cracks up.
"Really, Arizona?" She pulls away though. "You're probably right." Callie sighs.
"Don't sound so excited, sweetheart." I laugh. We both notice my slip, but neither of us mentions it. I do notice she grins a bit though. As she's about to open the door, I stop her and grab her hand.
"I have a really important question." I say, once again getting lost in her chocolate brown eyes.
"Shoot." She smiles nervously.
"Well, two actually… one, will you, Calliope Torres, do the honor of being my Valentine?" I smile, my dimples popping. Her smile grows into the one that makes my heart skip.
"Of course, Arizona." We grin again. "What's the second question?"
"Would you like to go out on a date with me today and/or tonight?"
"That's a given. As my Valentines, I expect you to woo me."
"I promise you Calliope, there will be plenty of wooing." We laugh, and hug again. As we pull away, she kisses my cheek, and then sashays out the door, leaving me with the feeling of her lips against my skin.
I'm definitely wooing her.
I step out of the closet then, and join the rest of the band. Only Teddy shoots me a suspicious look.
"Okay, guys I want to work on a new song I've been writing. It isn't finished yet, and I need a melody." Callie announces. That's when I realize that Mark isn't here anymore.
"Where's Mark?" I ask.
"He got called down again." Tim answers. "And actually, Zona, Teddy and I both have to retake that Trig test." Then both musicians gather their things and leave. I glance at Callie.
"So, wanna work on that song?" I ask her.
"Sure, I mean we only have about an hour left of the day anyway." Callie answers. As she starts to get her stuff out, I stop her.
"Ditch with me." I say. She just looks at me.
"What?"
"Ditch with me. We'll go to my house. My acoustic is there. I need it if we're gonna write this song." I grin. She still looks hesitant.
"Trust me Calliope." I outstretch my hand. She glances at it, then at me. Callie licks her lips, and then takes my hand, and I pull her up. "Get your stuff ready then."
Callie's PoV
I can't believe I'm actually skipping school. With a girl. I'm half worried, and half excited. I have my backpack, and Arizona has her case strapped to her back and a messenger bag. We dash to her four door truck, and we toss our stuff in the small back seat, and then hop up front. Arizona smiles reassuringly over at me every so often. Somehow, she can tell I'm still somewhat nervous.
"Callie, I promise it'll be fine." She says.
"I know, but I could get in so much trouble. What if they call my dad? Oh go-" Arizona silences me by grabbing my hand, and she squeezes it.
"Sweetness, please, just trust me. I'm here, okay? As long as I'm here, I'll make sure you're alright." Arizona gently makes small circles on the back of my hand with her thumb. I focus on her words and her touch. She holds my hand until we get to her house, and then she unloads our stuff and walks me to the front door. "Don't worry no one's home." I nod in relief, and step inside the average two story house. Arizona shuts the door behind us.
"My room is upstairs, second on the left."
I lead us upstairs, and to the second door on the left. I open the door and step inside Arizona's room. There's a queen sized bed on the far wall, facing the door, a dresser on the door's right, with a TV on top, a desk on the left wall, with a roll-y chair in front of it. Two doors are on the wall opposite the desk wall, and I assume one is a closet and the other is a bathroom.
"Make yourself at home." Arizona says as she brushes past me, and sets my bag on her bed. Then she tosses her bag on her desk. She takes her guitar out of its case and walks over to one of the doors, and when she opens it I'm in awe. It's a walk in closet, but Arizona transformed it into a tiny recording studio. A small desk is against the wall across from the door, and has a laptop on it, with some recording program running, an expensive microphone plugged into it, and a really nice pair of headphones. On the walls on either side of it, are multiple guitars hanging up. Right in front of the desk, a small keyboard is there. Arizona hangs up her blue Gibson, then takes down a 6 string acoustic, lightish brown Ibanez. Holding the instrument carefully, she steps out of the tiny studio, and closes the door.
"Wow Arizona… That's the coolest thing I've ever seen."
"I like it." She says simply. Then she sits down on her bed with the guitar, and runs her finger up and down the neck, warming up her fingers with various chord progressions. I sit next to her.
"So, for this song… I don't know, I just started writing it the other night." I say, pulling it out of my backpack.
"Well, let's hear it. I'll just follow your lead." Arizona gives me another breathtaking smile. With one last glance, I begin singing my song.
I never thought that you'd be the one to hold my heart
But you came around and you
Knocked me off the ground from the start
"And then for the chorus I was thinking something like,"
You put your arms around me and I believe
That it's easier for you to let me go
You put your arms around me and I'm home
Arizona has a thoughtful look on her face. "Hmm… the words… I want a mellow melody at first… Then it would build up."
"That's exactly what I was thinking." I agree. Arizona carefully positions her fingers on the frets, and then begins a strum pattern. I start sing again and I find that the vocals and the melody Arizona is creating fit perfectly. We finish.
"That sounds amazing." I gasp.
"Yeah, your voice is really amazing." Arizona grins at me. I blush at the compliment.
"Well, you're pretty great at guitar." I reply, smiling hugely.
"I play better when you're around." She says evenly, grinning at me. I only smile and blush. Changing the subject I ask, "So, I do believe I was promised wooing."
"A pretty blonde playing her guitar for you isn't enough woo?" Arizona laughs to let me know she's kidding.
"Well, it's definitely woo-ish. But I'm not wooed." I cross my arms and turn my head.
"Oh Callie…" Arizona chuckles. "We Robbins are natural lady woo-ers. You'll be mind blown by the end of the night."
"Oh, I don't know Robbins, I have pretty high standards." She cocks her head adorably.
"Trust me… I know what I'm doing." She winks before setting her guitar aside. She scoots closer to me then, and puts her hand on the bed, so her arm is around me. I subconsciously lean into her touch. As Arizona begins to lean in, I find myself being sucked into her beautiful blue eyes. We slowly close the distance between our lips; our eyes fluttering closed, then- *THUMP THUMP* the noise coming from downstairs causes us to jump apart. The blonde looks at me apologetically, and then stands. "I'll get rid of them; then I'll be right back up." I nod as she shoots me a dimpled grin, then leaves. I quickly smooth the wrinkles out of my clothes, and pat down my hair. I hear the front door opening, muttered voices, hushed yells, and then shortly after the door slamming. Arizona dashes up the stairs, and then appears in the doorway.
"Hey there beautiful." Arizona grins again, before walking back to the bed, and sitting close to me once more.
"Mmm… who was it?" I ask while she wraps her arm around me again.
"No one important." Arizona answers vaguely before starting to lean in again. Her lips are near mine when I put a hand on her shoulder, to halt her movements.
"Tell me who it was or I'm not kissing you." I threaten.
"Please, who was practically begging me to make out with you in a closet earlier?" Arizona scoffs, and then leans in again. I back away.
"Arizona I'm serious!" I say firmly. She takes advantage of me being leaned back, and pushes me down on her bed. My heart skips. This is what I want, but this isn't how it's supposed to happen. Arizona straddles me, and leans down again.
"Arizona, stop! Please!" I beg. She keeps leaning in though, and just before her lips reach mine I slap her right across the face. She gasps and snaps out of it. She falls off of me and runs to the corner of her room. Looking away she pants. "Calliope I-I- I am so sorry. You- you should go." Arizona sounds close to tears. I cautiously get up.
"Arizona… what was that?"
"Callie… You don't deserve someone like me. Someone who just… Oh god I am so sorry. I'm a fucking monster." She whimpers, and places both of her hands on the wall, facing away from me.
"You aren't a monster, Arizona you're no-"
"No, Callie! I am… I'm a horrible…" Arizona chokes out a sob. "I don't know where that came from. I-I-I just… I'm no good for you. You need someone pure and good. Not someone who's fucked half the school." My heart breaks slightly. I approach her carefully, and place my hands on her sides. She flinches away from my touch.
"Don't Callie I-"
"Arizona. Look at me." I say softly, but firmly. She glances over her shoulder, and I see tears in her eyes. "I know you didn't mean to. Okay? I know it was a mistake... Please, I'm not angry. I'm fine, see?"
"Please Callie; I don't want to hurt you." The blonde chokes. "I would never live with myself if I hurt you."
"That's how I know you won't. Arizona please… Turn around." I plead.
"I-I can't. I hate myself so much right now." Seeing that talking won't calm her down, I decide to try a different tactic. I walk over to her bed, and shuffle through my music until I find what I'm looking for. I skim over to refresh my memory before I begin singing.
When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
When the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
High up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
I finish singing, the familiar warmth of my voice filling me.
"Callie…" Arizona says quietly. "Calliope…" She turns around, and I see she's been crying.
"Arizona… I'm right here. Okay? I'm here." I take a step towards her. She closes the remaining distance between us, and wraps me up in a warm embrace.
"I promise…" She whispers in my ear. "I promise I will never, ever be like that again."
"I know… I know babe I know." I comfort her. I'm honestly not mad. I can tell she's obviously upset with herself. She has a past, a huge one, yes, but what matters is that it's in the past. We stand there for I don't know how long, clinging to each other and Arizona apologizing profusely. Finally, we pull away. Arizona seems to have composed herself.
"Okay… I believe I promised someone I would woo her… Any ideas on who it may be?" Arizona snickers.
"Me, you moron." I roll my eyes and pretend to be annoyed. We both laugh.
"Calliope… shoes. We have a date. I promise, this will be the awesomest Valentine's Day of your life."