A/N: A new chapter! I'm not too fond of this one, but I hope you like it :) I'm really excited about this story! So far I have written up to chapter 6, and the final chapter, because I got the idea for the ending and had to write it down, which is good because I'm now very aware of where I am heading. I should post the next chapter soon, so stay tuned!

Chapter 3

The first week of school was over, something which Callie was very grateful for. She flopped down on her bed, the comfortable blankets and sheets making her moan in appreciation. She burrowed herself further into the blankets, her hands coming to rest on her stomach. She stared up at the ceiling, her mind drifting back to think over the first week at her new school.

Weird as it was, Callie had found herself becoming friends with Mark Sloan, the guy who had tried and failed to hit on her during her first day. Mark was on the school's football team, and she quickly found out that he had a solid reputation of sleeping around, which made sense judging by his behavior when they had first met. She had also realised that Mark was absolutely smitten with a girl in the year below him, called Lexie Grey. Lexie, however, was in a relationship with the Cheerleading Coaches son, and another member of the football team, called Jackson Avery. What was even worse was that Mark and Jackson were good friends, so Mark didn't even feel like he could try and win Lexie over using his charm; he respected Jackson too much. Callie had felt sorry for Mark's situation, until she saw him sneaking into a supply closet with some girl from her English class, and had rolled her eyes.

She had began to hang out with Mark and his friends. Mark's friendship group consisted of himself, Derek Shepherd, Derek's girlfriend Meredith Grey (who was also Lexie's half sister), Meredith's best friend Cristina Yang, Jackson and also Lexie. Occasionally Alex Karev would eat with them too, but his girlfriend Jo was a cheerleader, so he often found himself sitting at their table instead. Callie liked the group, and had settled in with them quite nicely. She enjoyed eating with them much more than she had enjoyed eating with April, no disrespect to her of course. With their group she just found she had more to talk about, instead of sitting and listening to April and Reed discuss whatever they always talked about.

All of Callie's classes were going well so far, but it was very clear that Ap Biology was her favourite. She had always loved biology, and desperately wanted to go into medicine, but she found herself enjoying it more than she had at her old school. It wasn't that the class was much different, or that the teacher was much better (Mrs Bailey was good, yes, but that wasn't the reason). It had became clear to Callie that the reason she had been enjoying biology so much was due to her new lab partner. Arizona was perfect, there was no other word for it. She was intelligent and funny and kind, and she was always on the exact same page as Callie when it came to completing tasks during the class. They worked together extraordinarily well, and they didn't even have to try and find a balance, they just worked. Staying true to her word, Arizona had text Callie Monday night, giving Callie her number. They had text a few times during the week, their texts mainly being biology related as they had been given their first assignment for the year, which was a presentation on the differences between animal cells and plant cells. They had two weeks to complete the presentation, but with Arizona and herself both being type A students, they had decided to complete the presentation right away, giving them more time to go over it and rehearse it. They had planned on Thursday for Callie to go over to Arizona's house on Saturday afternoon to get started on it, after they had made a short plan in the library one free period, but nothing more had been spoken about it. Callie bit her lip thoughtfully, and then sighed, pulling herself up into a sitting position, and reached for her phone which was on the nightstand.

Unlocking her phone, she quickly found Arizona's contact, and sent her a quick text.

Are we still on for tomorrow afternoon? If so, what time? -Callie

After sending the message, she dropped her phone onto her lap, patiently waiting for a response. After a few moments, her phone pinged, signalling a text, and she quickly grabbed her phone in her hands.

We most definitely are! Come over around 1? Mom said she'd leave us some money for Pizza if you're up for it. -Arizona

Callie smiled happily at the text, a huge weight being lifted from her shoulders. For some reason she had been afraid that Arizona would cancel, not that she would have any reason to. They were lab partners and did need to get the presentation done. Plus, they were friends. Right? It seemed like they were.

Callie skimmed her thumbs across her screen as she typed a reply back.

1 sounds good! So does the Pizza of course. What's your address again? -Callie

After Arizona had sent her a text with her address, Callie was called by her Mother for dinner. Sighing at the thought of having to move, she pulled herself off of her bed, and wandered out of her room. The large, new modern house was still something she was getting used to. She didn't understand why her parents wanted to buy such a large house, especially since there was only three of them living in it. She knew it was more to do with the fact that they could rather then the idea that they actually needed it.

Photographs hadn't been put up yet, so the walls looked bare and un-homey. As she walked down the stairs and into the dining room, the sight of her parents sitting alone at the twelve seater table made the house seem even more empty. Sure, the house she had lived in previously had been similar, but that house was her home. It was were she had been brought up. There were memories in the walls of the house, giving it a sense that is was full. Images of her younger self running around after her older sister, Christmas mornings spent under the tree, the endless sleepovers in her room.. the house she was now living in had none of those so far. And she wasn't sure it ever would.

"How do you like it here, mija?"

Her Father's voice snapped her from her thoughts as she dropped down into the seat on his right, sitting across from her Mother.

"It's nice," she said simply. Half because it was what he wanted to hear. And half because it was.

Arizona loved her Mother, she truly did. Barbara Robbins was a kind, hardworking, intelligent woman, who would do anything for anyone. She worked as a nurse at the local hospital, and then proceeded to volunteer at the same hospitals on her days off, always doing that little bit extra. She went to cooking classes for fun, always coming home with some new recipe that she wanted to try out on her family. She even donated money to the animal shelter, and once had come home carrying a small grey kitten that she had apparently adopted, despite her husband's pleas, saying that little Tom needed a home. All in all, Barbara was a wonderful woman, a saint, the Mother of all Mothers. However, she was also incredibly nosy.

"For the last time Mom," Arizona exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air, making Tom, who had been asleep on her lap, jump up and bolt out the room. "She's going to be here any minute, you'll find out everything about her when you can ask her."

Barbara frowned at her daughter's loud outburst. "I was only asking if she was pretty, dear, that's no reason for you to shout."

Arizona raised a sharp eyebrow in question. "And if she had any siblings, and what her parents do for a living, and what she wants to study at College, and-"

Arizona was cut off by the sound of the door bell ringing. She jumped up from her seat on the couch, ignoring her Mother's pointed looks, and reached the door, swinging it open to reveal the girl who had been the topic of their conversation. Callie.

Callie was dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a tank top, and the casual look was definitely good on her. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, something Arizona hadn't seen before then, leaving her shoulders completely bare. Under her arms she carried her text book and her notepad, where they had written their plan for their presentation. That night in the library had been the first time they had truly seen each other and hung out outside of the biology classroom, even if it was just to do more biology work, but Arizona had enjoyed it. She felt as though they were on their way to becoming friends, as opposed to just lab partners, something she was very happy about.

"Hey," Arizona said cheerfully. "How are you?"

She stepped to the side, gesturing for Callie to enter her house, and watched Callie's eyes drift around the hallway as she stepped in.

"I'm good, how are you?"

Arizona reached forward to ease the books out of Callie's hands, their fingers brushing slightly. She bit her lip, as she led them into the kitchen diner, where she had set up her laptop on the breakfast counter, figuring they could work up there for the afternoon. She felt Callie trail behind her.

"I'm awesome," she replied with a smile, placing the books beside her laptop, before turning around to face Callie, who beamed in response. Before either could say anything else, Barbara cleared her throat from behind Arizona. Arizona sighed, folding her arms across her chest. "Callie, this is my Mother, Barbara Robbins. Mom, this is Callie, my lab partner for the year."

Barbara immediately stepped towards Callie, who awkwardly put her hand out.

"Hello Mrs Robbins, it's a pleasure to-"

Callie was cut off as Barbara pulled her in for a hug, ignoring Callie's outstretched hand.

"Barbara is fine, dear," the older woman told her, as she pulled out of Callie's embrace. "And Callie, what a beautiful name, is it short for anything?"

When Callie blushed, Arizona's interest piqued, and a large smirk found it's way onto her lips.

"Calliope!"

Callie and her Mother both turned to face her, and judging by the look of pure horror on Callie's face, Arizona was right in her assumption.

"What? How?"

"April nearly said it during first day," Arizona replied shrugging. "I wasn't sure if she messed your name up by accident so I didn't want to call you it. But seeing as we now know it's your real name.."

Callie continued to blush red, and Barbara sent Arizona a look which Arizona ignored.

"I think it's a beautiful name," Barbara told Callie, rubbing her arm. "Don't you agree Arizona?"

"Definitely," Arizona said honestly, and she meant it. She didn't know why Callie didn't tell anyone her real name, she thought Calliope was an insanely gorgeous name. She knew it was probably due to her name being unusual, her own name being unusual as well, and that kids could ruin ruin things completely. Arizona, having grown up the daughter of a marine, had taken the name calling and snidey jokes in her stride, but she knew that not all kids would react in the same way. She had a feeling that Callie wasn't like how she was when she was younger, and had therefore began calling herself Callie to try and escape the bullies. She wasn't even sure why anyone would pick on Callie because of her name. The name meant beautiful voice, and was as unique as the girl who had been named it.

Callie smiled lightly at her comment, although her cheeks were still flushed pink. Embarrassed Callie was a beautiful sight.

"Okay girls, I've left some money on the side for you for pizza, I'm going to head off to the hospital now. I'll be home in a few hours."

"Hospital?" Callie asked, concern clear in her voice as her eyes found Barbara. "Is everything okay?"

"Oh yes, certainly dear," Barbara told her reassuringly. "I work there as a nurse, you see, and I volunteer and go in on my days off sometimes, just to help out."

After kissing Arizona's cheek and hugging Callie goodbye, Barbara made her way out of the house leaving the two teenagers alone. After watching her Mother leave, Arizona shifted her eyes back to Callie, who she found had been staring at her. Callie quickly tore her eyes away when she realised she had gotten caught, her eyes landing anywhere except Arizona, awkwardness seeming to set in. Coughing to cover up the silence, Arizona stepped towards her guest.

"I can't believe her," Arizona said, rolling her eyes in annoyance, and Callie finally let her eyes land on Arizona again. "Before you got here she was practically quizzing me on you, and then the moment you actually get here, she leaves."

Callie laughed gently at her comment, shrugging her shoulders. "That's just moms, right?"

Arizona joined in the laughter, and they both made their way over to the counter where Arizona's laptop was. Slipping onto the stools, Arizona quickly tied her hair up into a messy bun, as they quickly set to work. They eased into their comfortable biology-related zone, the awkwardness quickly subsiding. Due to the plan they had made, they both seemed to reach a silent understanding of how to set out their power-point, Arizona typing while Callie helped construct the sentences. Callie had also, it seemed, added to the plan they had made. That made Arizona one hundred percent sure that Callie was the perfect lab partner. She did work even when they had thought they had finished the work.

They had done around two slides when Arizona's stomach had declared itself hungry and the call for pizza had been made. They settled on a normal pepperoni pizza, Arizona thanking God that someone else shared her taste for pizza (Teddy always told her pepperoni was boring). They ate in the living room, Callie sitting in the armchair, while Arizona laid herself down on the sofa. She had noticed the look Callie had given her when she began to eat laying down, clearly about to go into teenage science mode, so she quickly sat up. Callie grinned at the impact she had on the blonde.

They talked while they ate, sharing short stories about High school adventures. Arizona purposely kept her stories innocent, knowing perfectly well that a lot of her stories were less than. She assumed Callie knew she was gay, even though they hadn't spoke about it, as her and Lauren had been the talk of the school last week; there was no escaping that gossip. She had broken things off with Lauren on Tuesday morning, the other girl then causing a dramatic scene by having a breakdown in home room, leaving Arizona feeling guilty. Teddy had found the situation absolutely hilarious, telling Arizona this was a sign for her to change her ways. In all honesty, the idea of commitment didn't scare Arizona, it was simply that she hadn't found someone she would consider being serious with. The heartbreak of leaving her first girlfriend, Joanne, still stung, but it hadn't put her off relationships completely. It actually hadn't put her off relationships at all. She was well aware that she had a reputation as the female Mark Sloan, but when she found someone she wanted to commit to, she would commit. She wasn't going to deny herself a bit of fun though just because she had failed to find someone. That was insane.

When they had finished eating, Arizona put the plates in the dishwasher, and they resumed working. Callie took over typing, her long fingers gliding over the keyboard with ease, her eyes fixed on the computer screen as Arizona told her what to type. Arizona couldn't help but hum in appreciation as Callie, who had taken her hair out of her ponytail and let it hang loose, pulled her hair to one side, leaving the other side of her tanned neck completely bare. It had been bare before, Arizona knew that, but for some reason it had an entirely different effect on her. She needed to focus. She had been able to focus a lot better when George was her lab partner, as he was neither female nor hot. Not that she wished Callie was ugly, she certainly didn't. Her hotness was definitely a treat.

"Okay, we've done four slides, that's enough for our first day, right?"

Callie's voice shocked Arizona out of her daydream, and she sat up straighter, nodding. "Yes, you're right. We can do some in the library, or meet up after school one day?"

Callie nodded in agreement. "Sounds good."

"Do you have to go home now? We could watch a movie if you want?"

In all honesty, Arizona was keen for her and Callie to reach the 'definitely friends' stage. While she was sure they were friends in a way, all their time together was due to them being lab partners. They could hang out because they wanted to, not because they had to, right?

"A movie sounds good," Callie replied, putting Arizona's thoughts at ease.

They both slid off of their stools, but as they did, Arizona's foot slipped on the shiny tiles of her kitchen. Her eyes closed, bracing herself for the fall. However, it didn't come. Instead she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist, hoisting her up, keeping her grounded. Her eyes fluttered open, coming into contact with those of Callie's. She had always liked brown eyes. People often preferred blue eyes to brown, for a reason Arizona didn't know, as blue eyes always made her feel cold, or faraway. Brown eyes symbolised warmth and chocolate and reminded her of wrapping up in blankets by the fire in the winter. Callie's eyes poured comfort and the underlying sense of home. She felt as if she could see into Callie's soul just by staring deeply into her eyes. She felt as though all her problems could disappear just by looking into those deep pools of chocolate.

"You alright there?"

Arizona managed to nod weakly, her feet finding the ground.

"I suddenly got a sense of deja vu," Arizona commented, fighting the heat rising in her cheeks. "You seem to stop me falling a lot."

"It's a blessing," Callie told her, shooting her a quick smile, before awkwardly unwrapping her arms from around Arizona's waist.

Arizona immediately felt the loss of contact, and wrapped her arms around her waist. She bit her lip gently, her eyes narrowing at her own stupidity. She really needed to get a grip on herself. It was bad enough finding Callie attractive, she couldn't act like a lovesick puppy. She wasn't a lovesick puppy. Callie just kept catching her off guard and she wasn't used to that. She was used to catching other people off guard. Dammit, she really needed a distraction. And quickly.