A/N: I just want to start out and say how SORRY I am that it has taken me forever to get an update out. I've been swamped with school and my sorority and I've also been in the hospital and have had to have multiple medical tests done on me. So, I apologize dearly for the delay.

It is my full intent to finish this story. That being said, if it ever does take me a while to update, please know that I haven't forgotten about you guys! Sometimes life just gets in the way and I'm not able to write as much as I'd like to.

If you haven't already, go check out my instagram account for this story! I post sneak peaks and you'll also be able to know when I'm working on the next chapter so you can have an idea that an update is coming soon! the_art_of_love101

Callie's POV

I rush into the studio and Arizona is patiently waiting for me. She has a block of clay sitting in front of her that, in a few weeks, will resemble my face. We had made some progress last weekend with the basic shapes of each other's face, but didn't get much farther than that because we were so busy talking with each other, almost as if we had grown up best friends.

As time goes by I find myself liking this girl more and more, and I can't exactly explain why. Other than the fact that she is drop dead gorgeous, has a delicious body, and a fun personality, there is something about her that just draws me towards her.

I stare at her for a moment as I enter the studio. She is looking down at her phone, scrolling through something and not paying any attention to the fact that I just entered the room. I find myself smiling, but quickly shake myself of the warm feeling that is rising in my stomach.

"Sorry I'm late! There was a bit of traffic on the way here," I say, dropping my bag and making my way over to the apron closet.

"It's okay. It's kind of peaceful being in here alone," she comments, a sweet sound in her voice. She rises from her seat and walks towards me, grabbing herself her own apron.

"How's your morning been so far?" I ask as she stands in front of me while facing the other direction. We've done this the past three times we've been in the studio, yet every time I feel my heart skip a beat.

"Oh, you know. Just a lazy Sunday morning," I hear her say as I reach for the laces on her apron to tie into a bow. She has her hair up in a bun, and the clear flesh on her neck is just calling out to be kissed. I fasten her bow quickly and then give her a small nudge to let her know it's her turn to tie me. I can easily tie my bow myself, and I'm pretty sure she can too, but she offered to the first day and we're just keeping a routine I guess. I feel her nimble hands work to tie my bow.

"Aren't you lucky," I say, sighing.

"Rough morning?" she asks, as we make our way to our sculpting table. I slump back into the chair, but sit up a bit straighter when I notice there is coffee waiting for me. Ever since that one morning that she got me coffee for class, she's gotten me coffee almost every day. But, the campus coffee shop isn't open on Sunday's, which means she had to go somewhere else and buy it and use money instead of her meal plan credit that all of the students are required to get.

"Arizona…you didn't have to go off campus to get me coffee," I say, eyeing her.

"Rough morning?" she asks again, sweetly, completely ignoring what I had just said. I give her a smirk and take a sip of the still hot coffee.

"Well, Liam completely destroyed my living room overnight. There are newspapers and magazines everywhere. I'm going to have to get new pillows and touch up some of the walls where he scratched the paint off," I sigh, rolling my eyes.

"You didn't have to take the kitten," she says softly, obviously feeling guilty. I sit up straight and reach across the table to lay my hand on top of hers, trying to ignore the electricity that is coursing through my veins.

"I love that little thing. I wouldn't trade him for the world. My living room can be fixed. He can be trained. It's okay," I reassure her. She smiles shyly, and I notice she can't take her eyes off of my hand that rests on top of hers. "Anyway," I say, giving her hand a squeeze and then bringing my hand back close to me, "we should probably get started since I can't come to the studio throughout the week and we didn't get much done last weekend."

"Speaking of that. I talked to my parents and they would be okay with me staying over Fall Break to work on this. Since it's due the week we come back, I figured we could use the extra time. I mean, if you're not doing anything, that is," she says, picking up a carving tool.

"I'm not doing anything…but Arizona, you don't have to do that. You haven't been home once this semester, and I'm sure your parents miss you," I say, trying to hide my excitement that she might be here over break. I knew I was going to miss her, even though it was for only four days.

"No, it's okay. I'd love to stay," she says, smiling.

xoxoxoxo

"Alright everyone. Be safe and have a good break. I will see you all back here on Wednesday!" I say as the class scrambles to their feet. Even though a lot of them still have classes left today, I can tell they are all excited to have a small break. Arizona lingers behind everyone, as I had asked her to stick around after class.

"So, you don't have to say yes. But, I don't want you to have to spend your break all alone in your Townhouse. So maybe you'd like to come over and we can watch a movie and have pizza or something," I ask carefully, trying not to stumble over my words. I had been nervous the whole class period, knowing that I was going to ask her this when it was over.

"Sure, I'd love that," she says, fighting a blush. A sense of relief floods through me and I flash a bright smile.

"So, does 5 PM work?" I ask, wiping my sweaty palms on my shirt.

"Sure. I'll see you then," she says, flashing me a bright but shy smile. I keep calm on the outside, running a hand through my hair. But on the inside I'm bursting with joy, wanting to grab the tiny girl in my arms and plant a big kiss on her. I don't know why. All we are doing is hanging out at my place. But I think that's exactly why I'm so excited. We are hanging out almost as if we were a couple. While it still pains me to know that we will never be a couple, if I can at least hang out with her like we are one then I'm okay.

xoxoxoxo

I pace my living room floor, straightening every little thing I see that is even the slightest bit out of order. The first time Arizona ever came over I wasn't this anxious. I was calm and collected, and didn't mind that my apartment was a little messy. At that point, I was comfortable and wanted her to be comfortable. We were also needing to have to conversation about how we couldn't be a thing, so maybe I wasn't trying to impress her because I didn't want her to fall for me anymore. And I don't know if she has, but I know that I've fallen for her more. So now, I'm anxiously walking the length of my living room making sure everything is perfect so that she will be impressed.

I try to sit down for a bit, knowing that nothing can ever come of Arizona and I and that there is no need for me to try and impress her, but I can't sit still long and I am soon back on my feet looking for every little thing that is out of place. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door and my heart beat picks up. I rush to the door, but pause before I open it, fixing my hair in the mirror that hangs on the wall adjacent to the door. I take a deep breath, put on a big smile and open the door. My energy quickly falls when I realize that it is only the next door neighbor, a teenage boy who likes to knock on my door all of the time.

"What, hot date?" he asks, smirking as he looks me over, his eyes resting on my breasts.

"What do you want, Pierce?" I ask, rolling my eyes.

"My mom wants to know if you have any beer," he asks, with wide eyes.

"Yeah, right," I say, slamming the door in his face. I make my way to the couch to sit down when another knock comes at my door. I huff angrily and spin around to head back to the door. I throw it open and say:

"What!?"

My anger quickly dissolves when Arizona's surprised face greets me.

"Shit, sorry. I thought you were someone else," I say. I'm about to pull her inside when Pierce appears again, next to Arizona.

"Hey, lady. Can I have some beer?" he asks her. I can't help but laugh because he towers over her, but I could easily see her taking him in a fight.

"Go be a jackass somewhere else, Pierce," I say, grabbing Arizona by the arm and pulling her inside before slamming and locking the door.

"Mmm. Feisty. I like it," she says, giggling.

"Oh, hush," I say, rolling my eyes jokingly. "Would you like anything to drink?"

"Can I have some beer?" she asks in a low voice, obviously trying to mimic Pierce. I throw my head back and let out a deep laugh.

"How about wine?" I ask after I have collected myself.

"Sure," she smiles.

I make my way to the kitchen and pour two glasses of white wine, and then return to the living room with both glasses and the bottle. Arizona has already kicked off her shoes and is curled up on the couch. It makes me smile seeing how comfortable she has already gotten.

"So, got any movies in mind?" I ask, setting down the glasses and bottles.

"Not really. I'm up for anything," she says, quickly grabbing her glass and taking a big gulp.

"Well, I have Netflix so we can browse and see what looks good to us, yeah?" I say, turning on the TV. She nods enthusiastically, and then takes another gulp of her wine. I look at her out of the corner of my eye, smirking at how fast she is downing that wine. She must be anxious, too.

"Here's the remote. You pick a movie and I'll go order the pizza. Do you want anything else?" I ask, rising from my place on the couch to move into the kitchen.

"Breadsticks," she says, mindlessly flipping through the different movies on Netflix.

I laugh and make my way to the kitchen, pulling out my phone. I don't call to order, but instead use the pizza delivery app. I know I could have just done that while still in the living room with Arizona, but I needed to get away and collect myself for a minute. Because Arizona looks fucking hot.

She is wearing short jean shorts and a low cut tank top that shows her tan stomach when she leans or reaches a certain way. Her hair is up in a curly, messy bun that allows me a full view of her strong jawline. And seeing her sprawled across my couch like that caused intense feelings inside me that need to go away because Arizona and I cannot have sex. We just can't.

I finish ordering the pizza and rest against the kitchen counter for a while, trying to rid my body of the intense sexual desire for Arizona. But, it won't go away so I open my liquor cabinet and pull out a bottle of UV Vodka, crack open the seal and pour the burning liquid down my throat. I grab a sprite out of the fridge and chase the vodka with it. I start to put it away, but realize that if Arizona is feeling the same way I am that she might need some, too.

"Hey, Arizona?" I call out.

"Yes?" she answers, appearing around the kitchen door frame.

"Do you want some Vodka and sprite?" I ask as she slowly walks towards me.

"Yes," she says, smiling. Her eyes look a bit glassy, and I can't help but wonder how much wine she has downed since I've been in the kitchen.

"Not too much, though. You still have to drive back to campus tonight," I say as I mix the two liquids.

"Oh, I'll be fine. Me and the girls do this all the time," she says giggling, her face flushing. I give her a strange look as she places a firm hand on the kitchen counter, almost as if she is steadying herself.

"O…kay. Did you pick out a movie?" I ask, making my way back into the living room.

"Yes! "The Best of Me". I haven't seen it yet, but I've been wanting to. Is that okay with you?" she asks, sounding more like herself now. I think I'm just paranoid. But when I get back into the living room and place our drinks on the coffee table, I notice that the only wine left is that in my wine glass. Her glass and the previously full bottle are completely empty. I sigh, not sure how I should handle this situation. I want to be angry, but I chose to trust her when she says she'll be fine by the time she has to go home. I grab the empty wine bottle and put it in the kitchen, and then return just as Arizona has started the movie.

We watch for a while on our separate ends of the couch. We get about 45 minutes into the movie when the doorbell rings and the pizza is here. She pauses the movie and goes to pour us more drinks while I get the pizza. After I pay, I head to the kitchen to get plates and find Arizona pouring straight Vodka down her throat.

"Woah, woah, woah," I say, coming up behind her and wrapping one arm around her waist to pull her away and reaching for the bottle with my other hand. I feel her stomach tense under my grip, and I'm not sure whether it's me touching her or me catching her drinking that has caused her to tense up.

"Shit, I'm sorry," she says, easily letting go of the bottle. She transfers her weight so that she is leaning against me, and I keep my arm tightly around her. The bottle is now only ¼ full and I pour some into one glass and then set it on the table.

"Arizona," I say sternly, her body still leaning against me.

"I'm fine," she says, standing up straight. I eye her suspiciously and hand her a can of sprite, knowing that she probably needs something to wash that bitter taste of vodka down with. She gratefully accepts it and looks at me with apologetic eyes.

"Is everything okay?" I ask, pouring my own sprite into the Vodka that I poured into the cup.

"Yeah…just…nervous I guess," she says, her face blushing.

"It's okay. I'm nervous, too. Just be comfortable, okay?" I say, laughing a bit.

She nods and walks steadily into the living room with the plates.

I sigh and look at the bottle of Vodka she just downed. She had to of had at least ¾ of it because I hadn't put all that much in our first drinks. I place the bottle back in my liquor cabinet, and then lock it shut with a zip tie, knowing that I'm about to have a very drunk Arizona on my hands and that she won't be able to get to it.

When I return to the living room, I can tell that the alcohol is already starting to take its effect on Arizona, because she is starting at the pizza with wide eyes.

"Everything okay?" I ask, sitting down next to her and putting a slice of pizza on her plate.

"Oh…yeah," she says, shaking her head. She takes a few bites of the pizza happily. I take my own and start the movie again, this time dimming the lights in the living room.

xoxoxoxo

"You know, you're a very nice lady," Arizona slurs as she looks up at me, her head on my lap.

"Thank you. You are, too, darling," I say, fighting back a laugh.

"I mean, you're just so nice. And beautiful. Oh my God. So beautiful," she says, gently touching my face and hair. I grab her hand in mine and kiss her fingers softly, but quickly drop her hand at her side. With how comfortable I feel with her right now I can't help but want to kiss her. Her head is on my lap and she is staring up at me with such wide, admiring eyes.

"Oh, I like that. It makes me feel good," she says, her eyes closing, but her mouth opening into a huge grin.

"Do you?" I ask in a teasing voice. I rest one hand on her stomach, and use the other hand to smooth her hair away from her face.

"Oh, yes. Calliope. Caaaallllliiiiioooopppppeeee."

I freeze a bit in my seat, wondering how she knew my real first name. But also, hearing her say it sends butterflies through my stomach.

"How did you know my name is Calliope?" I ask.

"Because I love you," she says, and all of a sudden she is crying. I shift my arm that is on her head to under her back so that I can move her. I sit her on my lap and wrap my arms around her tiny waist and she buries her head into my neck.

"Hey, pretty girl. What's wrong? Why are you crying?" I ask, rocking her gently. This is exactly what I shouldn't be doing, but I can't stand to see anyone, especially her, cry.

"I love you so much, Dr. Calliope. And you don't want me," she wails into my neck.

"No, baby. That's not it. I want you…but the school won't let me have you," I whisper, deciding that she is drunk as hell and most likely won't remember much tomorrow morning.

"What? Who would do that?" she yells, sitting up straight.

"Shhhh. Hey, it's okay," I say, pulling her back down into my neck.

"No, it's not," she says, crying again.

"Why not?" I ask.

"Because if two people are meant to be together, nothing should be able to stop them," she says, staring me in the eyes. I'm taken aback for a moment, because it looks almost as if she is completely sober.

"You think we are meant to be together?" I ask, cupping her face with one of my hands.

"Don't you?" she asks. And then her sober moment is gone and she is curled back into my neck.

I think about what she says while I continue to rock her gently. I do think we are meant to be together, and she's right that no one should be able to stop that. But right now, there is too much at stake. I know I can always find another job – that I can't ever find another Arizona. But right now, I need to focus on keeping this job for the rest of the school year. Then, maybe, she and I can talk about where to go from there.

"Dr. Torres Calliope?" she mutters against my neck.

"Yes, Arizona?" I say, laughing softly at the way she is speaking.

"I can't feel my face." I fight back a deep laugh, knowing exactly how she's feeling right now.

"Alrighty, little one. Time to get you to bed," I say, lifting her up with me as I rise from the couch. She can't walk at all, so I pick her up and carry her as if she were a toddler.

"Here. Looky here, Arizona. A nice, big, comfy bed just for you. And the bathroom is right over there if you need it, but I will also leave a bucket for you in case you need to get sick, okay?" I say, tucking her into my bed.

"Hurry back!" she yells, her arms reaching out for me.

I rest in the kitchen for a while, mad at myself for letting her get this drunk. It wasn't my intention, and she had snuck behind my back to do it, but somehow I still felt guilty. I grab a bucket from the coat closet and make my way back into my bedroom. I set it next to the bed along with some aspirin and water. I go to the closet and grab some extra blankets and pillows and start to make my way to the living room to make a bed for myself on the couch when Arizona calls out for me:

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to go sleep on the couch," I reply softly.

"But I'll miss you," she says. I can't see her face because the room is mostly dark, but I can tell by her voice that she's about to start crying again. I drop the blankets and pillows and kick them into the corner so that if Arizona does get up she won't trip over them.

"I want you to sleep with me," she says, sounding really proud of herself for saying that.

"Alright. Alright," I say, climbing into bed next to her. I am quickly joined by her presence as she presses her warm body up next to mine. I hesitantly wrap my arms around her, but relax a bit when I notice how natural it feels.

"Thank you," she whispers in my ear before kissing my cheek and then snuggling against my shoulder. I stare at the ceiling and wonder how I am going to explain this to her in the morning. I'm dreading seeing how embarrassed she will get, and I dread that it will cause her to keep a distance from me.

But all of that dread melts away when I hear soft snores come from the beautiful being that is snuggled up in my arms. I kiss her lightly on the forehead, and then close my own eyes to try and get some sleep.

The love of my life is in bed with me, snuggled up with me, and I will wake up next to her in the morning.

And we are only just friends.

A/N: Reviews for me because I'm sick?