Callie's POV
This is the longest lecture of my life. He's been talking for almost 4 hours and I just wish he would stop. God, I fucking hate 8am lectures. Thank goodness it's almost over. I lean on my hand while my other discreetly pulls out my phone. I check my messages for what seems like the thousandth time all day. Actually all weekend and no new ones are from my blonde. I mean the blonde. The blonde who has ignored me all weekend. I thought we had a good date. A great date actually, but it's Monday and I haven't heard from Arizona since three days ago. What was up with that? I'm hot as hell. I don't have time to be chasing people who don't want me. I can get anyone I want, right? Yeah. I don't need her.
Just then, her face flashes in my mind. Long blonde hair tumbling down past her shoulders. Bright, expressive blue eyes. That ridiculously cute dimpled smile. And that toned body. Ugh. I'm so fucking screwed. I need her. I want her. But why is she ignoring me? I mean, we're friends. Friends that like each other and went on a date together. We made up cute little nicknames. Ceru and Mocha. We could be like Moru or Cercha….Whoa Cal, slow down. You went on one freaking date. One. I know. And I told myself I wouldn't be like this. All insecure like this and thinking ahead. But how can I not when it's Arizona? Sweet, smart, gorgeous Arizona who took me to my first carnival and it was amazing. Then, I kissed her…Shit I kissed her. And maybe now she regrets it? Maybe-
"Cal, you okay?" a soft voices asks next to me.
I shake my head to stop the raging sea of thoughts floating in my brain. Get a grip, Cal. Stop overanalyzing everything.
"What? Yeah, I'm good. Just a lot on my mind," I whisper and finally look around. It looks like everyone else, including the professor, bolted out as soon as it hit 12 and Ads and I are the last ones. She's already standing with her huge red purse, her equivalent of a backpack. I stand up as well and gather my things. With my backpack on, we head to Jones.
"Wanna talk about it?" she asks.
"Not really," I mumble.
"She'll text you, don't worry. And we'll probably see her at lunch. I swear I'll kick her ass," she says. And I know she's not joking.
I chuckle a little. "Not necessary when I can do it myself. But it might have been my fault. I kissed her. Was it really that bad? I'm hurt," I say. Addison had nearly dragged me into the apartment on Friday when I got back and demanded that I tell her everything. And I did because there's no reasoning when this red head is determined.
"You said she didn't pull back. You actually said that she said 'I know' after you whispered 'whoa' and those words mean fireworks," she argues.
"I know that! But what if she changed her mind or she regretted it and now I've ruined our friendship!" I say.
"Cal, you didn't ruin anything. Arizona needs to pull her head out of her ass before I find her and shove it in some more," Addison says. I can't help but laugh. I have such great friends.
"Down girl. You really scare her, you know," I comment.
"Good," Addison smiles contently as we enter our favorite dining hall. We spot our usual table in the back already filled with our usual people. Minus a blonde.
"She's not here. Dammit, now my butter sock will go to waste," Addison groans as we walk towards the table.
"Please tell me you do not actually have a sock full of frozen butter in that purse of yours that you were planning to beat Arizona with," I say with concern.
"Callie, relax. I'm kidding. It's actually at home in the freezer," she winks at me.
"Hey guys!" Mark says and gives Addison a quick peck as she sits down. Teddy waves since her mouth is full of what looks like meatloaf. I'm not really sure.
I stay standing because now my hurt has progressed into anger. Is she seriously skipping school to avoid me? If she didn't like the date, why can't she just freaking call me or something? Tell me she's not interested anymore? Enough is enough. I'm going to confront her.
"Where's Arizona?" I ask with my arms folded across my chest. Mark and Teddy look at each other and Mark shrugs.
"She's at home today," Teddy says.
"Why? You know what? I don't even want to know why. Give me your address. I need to go see her," I demand.
"Um, I don't think that's a good idea right now," Mark says.
"Sweetie, you don't want to mess with her right now," Addison says.
"I'm not going to kill her, I just want to see her. We need to talk," I say, my annoyance increasing.
"Fine, I'll text it to you. It's not too far from here, but she's really not-" I cut Teddy off as I start walking away.
"I'll be waiting for your text!" I yell as I exit the dining hall.
It never occurred to me until now that I haven't been to Arizona and Teddy's place even once since we all became friends. But I guess we mostly all hung out at the library and I was never invited over. That is still the case today as I get off the elevator on her floor and march right up to her blue door. I knock loudly three times. No answer. I try knocking harder once again. No answer.
"Arizona! I know you're in there. Open this damn door!" I practically yell. In retrospect, showing up to a girl's apartment, a girl that you really like, and banging on her door like a crazy person is probably not the best way to get her to be your future girlfriend, but if it works…
Finally, the door creaks open slightly and Arizona peaks her head out a little.
"Where the hell have you been? And what the hell are you doing?" I say.
"Calliope, I-" she whispers and widens the door some more. I push past her and walk inside.
"Don't you Calliope me. I mean, we went on a date! Three days ago! It's been three days and I haven't heard a single word from you. I thought it was a great date. Probably one of the best dates I've ever had in my life. And I thought you enjoyed yourself. Then we kissed! God, it was an amazing kiss. You said 'I know' but you've been avoiding me. Then you didn't show up at school and now I'm pissed and hurt," I finally finish and take a breath.
"Are you done?" Arizona asks. Her voice sounds different. A bit nasally. She sneezes and starts coughing. Oh, crap. She's sick. I finally take in her full appearance and look around. She has on a fluffy white robe tied tightly around her waist and fuzzy pink socks with bunnies on them on her feet. Bags lie under her eyes and her nose is red. She looks exhausted.
"Salud," I whisper, all of a sudden feeling like the world's biggest ass.
"Thank you. Let's go have a seat," she motions towards the living room. Her red couch contains a box of tissues and a paper bag full of used ones and a big blanket. The coffee table has a medicine bottle and a glass of water and on the floor is a humidifier that's off at the moment. I take a seat on the armchair next to it while she crosses her legs, wraps herself in the blanket, and sinks into the couch.
"So you're sick," it came out like a statement.
"Yes, unfortunately Teddy gave me the damn flu. I've been dying pretty much all weekend and I didn't want you to see me like this. All gross and snotty," she says before blowing her nose.
"Jesus, why didn't you just tell me? And you should know by now that I don't care how you look. You're still beautiful," I say.
She smiles brightly for the first time since I barged in and clears her throat. "I would have told you, but my phone died Friday night and then I misplaced it. I have literally looked everywhere for it and I can't find it," she says.
"Oh, I see," I put my head in my hands and groan, "God, I'm so sorry. I barged in here thinking that you were avoiding me when you were really just sick and lost your phone. You probably don't want to date me anymore, now that you know I'm crazy," I whisper.
"Hey, look at me," she says and I slowly bring my head up to face her. "I've dated crazy and you are most definitely NOT crazy. You are gorgeous, smart, funny and kind. I'll admit it wasn't the greatest idea to keep you in the dark and I'm sorry for that," she says.
"I forgive you, but I was hurt Arizona. God, I was so worried that I ruined our friendship," I point out. Wait, did she really just say all those things about me? My thoughts distract me.
"You didn't. There's nothing that you could do that could make me want to stop being friends with you. I had a great time on our date. It was the best one for me too. And the kiss was incredible. I wouldn't mind doing it again," she winked and started coughing. I flushed and wondered how she still had game while she was in this state.
"You wouldn't?" I ask.
"I said 'I know' and I meant it. I liked kissing you. A lot," she smiles that dimpled smile.
A small smile forms on my face as well. "I liked kissing you too," I say, "Did you mean all that you just said about me being gorgeous and smart?"
"I also mentioned funny and kind," she replied with a smirk.
I felt my blush spread across my face. Yay!
I say. A second of silence falls upon us before she says, "God, sorry. I'm a terrible host. Do you want anything to drink? Or eat?" Arizona starts getting up but I stop her.
"I got it, don't worry." She sits back down in relief and drinks some water. I walk over to the kitchen and inspect the fridge. There's soup portioned out in small take out containers. A few other essentials are in there and a zipper bag full of leftover pizza.
"Do you want me to warm you up some soup?" I ask.
"Yes, that'd be great. Help yourself to anything in the fridge," she called back.
I warm up a container of soup and two slices of pizza for myself since I didn't get to grab lunch. I reclaim my seat back on the armchair and place the food on the table. Arizona grabs the spoon I brought along and begins eating her soup. I do the same with my pizza.
"You know, you really shouldn't be here. I mean…I want you here. I'm glad that you're here, but you're gonna get sick," she says.
I smile a bit at her worry. "I got my flu shot already, so I'm good. Thanks for your concern though," I chuckle before continuing, "You're lucky I showed up instead of Addison. There was talk of a butter sock," I warn her.
"A what? Do I even want to know what that is?" she asks, weakly.
"A white sock full of frozen butter that can be used as a weapon," I shrug casually.
"Oh, god. Remind me to never cross her," she says. I laugh and nod my head.
"Callie?" she asks quietly.
"Hmm?" I respond and look at her. She got serious all of a sudden.
"I really like you and I would never hurt you on purpose. I want you to know that," she says.
God, Arizona Robbins is too damn cute. Even when she's sick. But I suddenly realize I really needed to hear that.
"Thank you for saying that. I um..I've been burned badly in the past and Addison was my rock. She saw me at my lowest and had to pick up the pieces, so that's why she's so protective and I love her for that," I whisper.
Arizona finishes her soup and places the container back on the table as she leans forward. Her voice sounds clearer and less nasally. Some color has returned a little in cheeks.
"I completely understand that. And now I can just think of the butter sock and it'll keep me in check," she jokes.
"Oh yes, I don't know where she got the idea from, but it works for her," I chuckle.
"What time is it? Isn't it Monday too? Don't you have class?" she suddenly asks.
I check my phone and an hour and a half has passed since I've been here. "Shit, I have class in 30 minutes. I better get going," I say as I stand up and take our dishes to the kitchen. I clean them really quickly before Arizona can say anything.
I grab my backpack that I don't remember placing on the floor in my blind rage and head for the door. Arizona gets up slowly and shuffles over to me.
"You know, your place is pretty nice. I'm offended that I was never invited over. Not once," I fake pout.
"I uh…I guess I have no explanation for that. You are welcome here anytime, Calliope," she says.
"Sweet! That soup did wonders. You look better already. I wish I could stay a while. I'd hate to think you're alone and sick as a dog," I say.
"Don't worry about it. Teddy will be here later and I'm just going to down some medicine and go to sleep," she laughs but it turns into a cough.
"Thanks for coming, Callie. I promise you I will find my phone soon and text you," she says.
"Sounds great," I reply. Arizona opens the door for me and I step out. Her gaze is focused on my lips and my face heats up.
"I really want to kiss you," she whispers.
I gulp before saying, "so kiss me."
"I can't. Not while I'm like this. Sneezy and all. Take a rain check?" she asks, hopeful.
"Of course," I say. I hesitate for a second, "I wanted to ask you something."
"Sure, what's up?" she raises her eyebrows in curiosity.
"Would you like to go on a second date with me in the near future? You know, when you're not sick and finals are over," I ask. Finals are coming up in the next week or so before winter break and we are all going to be busy as hell, so afterwards would be a better choice.
"Absolutely! Now get out of here before you're late!" she motions for me to go and starts closing the door.
"Get some rest and then find your freaking phone! Bye!" I yell.
"I will. Bye, Calliope!" she says.
High five, Cal. You didn't scare her away! Yes, I've got a second date with Arizona. It won't happen tomorrow, but it'll happen really soon so I'm excited. At least I've got something to look forward to as the week of hell approaches us.
AN: Love wins. 'nuff said.
AN2: Short one I know. Stay tuned for more. I am amazed by the amount of response C&M has received! I'm having a blast writing it. Thank you for all the follows, faves, and reviews. Ya'll are awesome :)
