I am running out of inspiration with this story - I know where I want to take it but I don't know how to get there without making the story so samey so if updates go to once a week (or even less) instead of two then I'm sorry but I'd rather take my time making good chapters than rushing an upload.

I've also started writing another story to try to help me not get so stuck with ideas for this one so when I have written a few chapters I will upload that one (Just letting you guys know what is happening with my writing etc).

Basically, I am going to keep writing but it might be other things until I can figure out what to write for this story to make sure it stays interesting to read. I hope you all understand.

As usual, all mistakes are my own bla bla bla you know the drill!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter! :)

Chapter 13: Down Time After The Date

Arizona's POV

I wake up the day after my first date with Callie and the first thing I did was smile. I had so much fun yesterday and I'm really glad that Callie felt safe enough with me to open up about her past. I get up, have my shower and get changed into a hoodie and some leggings because I don't have any plans to go out today, just get lots of work done. I put my clothes away from yesterday and find the note that Lauren slipped into my cardigan pocket. I debate throwing it straight in the bin but curiosity gets the better of me and I open it.

When you come to your senses and realise that freak Callie isn't worth your time, give me a call. You're far too good for her.

(555) 666 777

Lauren x

I throw the note into my bin in disgust. I can't believe this woman. What does she know? Why would I ever consider spending time with Lauren when she physically assaulted Callie just because of who she is. Even if I didn't like Callie I would never spend time with her willingly because she can't be a nice person if she'd do something like that.

I don't think I'm going to tell Callie about the note, unless she asks what was in it. But I'm not going to do what Lauren said and I don't want to cause Callie any more hurt, because I care about her too much.

I debate whether I should text Callie this morning, but decide against it because it's quite early and I don't want to wake her up. Addie said something about her being grumpy when she gets woken up and I want to stay in Callie's good books. And on top of that I need for her to get her rest so that her body has time to heal.

Putting down my phone I start working on some research for the presentation I will have to give with Mark. I really wish that I had been partnered with Callie because it would be lovely to have more reasons to spend more time with her. But I did say that I would help with her nerves regarding public speaking so that is something.

Callie's POV

I wake up with a smile on my face. I'd just had a lovely dream about spending a holiday with Arizona. In my dream, we travelled to a beautiful lake and spent a few weeks in a lake house and it was so peaceful and happy and hopefully we can spend time like that in the future.

Stretching, I get out of bed and head to the shower before getting changed. My phone buzzes, and I smile, hoping it will be from Arizona. My smile falls when I realise it isn't from the beautiful blonde next door.

Erica: Hey, did you want to do some work for our project today?

Callie: Sure, did you want to come over in a bit? I have lots of books from the library here already but feel free to bring more!

Erica: Sure thing. I'll be over in an hour so we can knock this on the head :)

Callie: See you then :)

An hour later Erica arrives and we bring all of our books into the sitting room and start looking through them for the information that we need, sitting on the floor around the coffee table.

After about an hour we decide to take a break. We head to the kitchen and get a drink and some snacks. Sitting back down, Erica starts speaking.

"Callie, I've been meaning to ask. How have you been doing since you know… the attack?" She pauses awkwardly. "I wanted to contact you but I thought you'd need some time alone to recover. But, I continued to work on the project so that you had one less thing to worry about.

"Thank you, Erica. I'm doing a lot better than I was. I mean, I'm not stuck in hospital and apart from the broken arm and the bruises, I'm doing alright."

"Well, I'm glad that you're doing better, I missed talking to you. You're the person I'm closest to here, we have a lot in common and I really like you"

"Um…"

"Not like that silly, I mean, I really like you as a friend"

"Phew, because that would be awkward because I'm kind of seeing someone at the moment. I mean, it's new, like really new, but it's amazing so far."

"I'm really happy for you Callie. Do I mind if I ask who it is?"

"It's Arizona, one of the girls who lives next door to me. She's also studying to be a doctor so you might have seen her around."

"I've seen her hanging around with you and the rest of your friends. You've done well Torres, she's beautiful and from what I've heard she has a heart of gold"

"Yeah, she's pretty incredible" I smile at the thought of Arizona. "Do you have your eye on anyone?"

"Not really, I mean there are some pretty cute girls here but I'd rather focus on my studies at the moment"

"Fair enough. Are you gay then?"

"Yeah" she responds, "Aren't you?"

"No, I'm bisexual" I chuckle "It's weird, at my school I didn't know anyone but me who was gay or bisexual or anything really. But then, it was a super Catholic school so anyone who was gay or something was probably feared beatings." I decide not to bring up the fact that I'm trans but I know that I can trust Erica. It feels nice to be able to feel like I can talk about it with her.

She says that I'm one of her closest friends here and I would have to agree with her. Apart from Mark, Addie and now Arizona and Teddy I would say that Erica is one of my closest friends. We have a lot in common, we like similar bands and shows and we have a similar sense of humour.

"It was the same at my old school, it was a shame really. It would have been nice to have someone to talk to when I was figuring everything out. But oh well, at least I can be myself here" Erica says with a smile.

I smile back at her. "There was a documentary that I recorded that I thought might help with this project. Did you want to watch it? If I read anything else then I might go insane!"

Erica agrees and we start watching.

Just as we finish the documentary, we hear the front door opening. Mark and Addie walk into the sitting room "What are you guys doing?" Marks asks.

"Watching this documentary to help with our project. It's a lot nicer than having to read through a million and one books"

"Sounds like a good idea, I might have to watch it because my brain is fried from reading so many books!" Mark smirks.

"Ugh, fine Sloan. I won't delete it"

We all start to chat about how we are finding the project and share books that we have found helpful. It's nice for Erica to spend more time with my friends because I genuinely like hanging out with her. But I can sense that Mark and Addie, especially Mark, don't really like her which I don't get because we have similar senses of humour.

"Well, I should better get going Callie. Thanks for finding that documentary, I found it really helpful! I'll let you get back to your life but can we meet up to do more of this project soon? We are really making headway with it" Erica says, starting to pack up her books.

"Sure, thanks for coming over. I'll text you when I have an idea of when we can do some more work. I think with a few more sessions we could get this finished" I smile. I am dreading doing the presentation but I am enjoying working on it with Erica which is something. I really hope Arizona remembers that she said she'd help me to get over my fear of public speaking because as much as I enjoy spending time with Erica, I have a feeling that Arizona will be much better at helping me to get over my fears. Plus, Arizona can bribe me with kisses which is always a plus!

Erica heads home but before she leaves, she gives me a quick hug and I hug her back as well as I can with my broken arm. Mark and Ads give me weird looks because I never used to hug people but since I've been feeling much more confident in my body and in myself so only used to hug them.

"So, how was the date last night? We didn't see you once you'd got in" Addie asks, smirking.

"It was amazing. We went to the park, fed some ducks which I usually would find dull but doing it with Arizona was amazing. Then we passed Lauren but Arizona held my hand the whole time and gave me the strength not to run away from her in fear. I think Lauren put something in Arizona's pocket but I'm not sure. Anyway, then we went for dinner and the food was amazing and I opened up to her about how I knew I was trans because she was curious and she listened and there was no judgement and she was so accepting and understanding. She told me about how her parents and brother reacted when she told them she was gay and there was such a deep, emotional connection between us and I haven't felt that liberated since I got to university and was able to be myself. Then we went for ice cream and when we got back she kissed me."

"She kissed you?" they both say at the same time.

"Yeah she did and it was honestly amazing. You guys know I've never been kissed before and it was everything I thought it would be and more. All I want to do is to kiss her again… It was like a dream come true…" I say dreamily, remembering the kiss from the previous night.

"Well, I'm really happy for you Callie" Addie says, pulling me into a hug.

"Me too" Mark agrees and joins the hug.

I'm feeling really happy with how my life is going at the moment. I have some great friends and I'm enjoying the university work and finding it really interesting. Coming to university was the best decision I ever made because it allowed me to be free and above all else, meet Arizona.

Sorry this chapter was not that interesting and short as well as not much happening but I promise there will be more Calzona action soon but I wanted to establish more of the Callie/Erica friendship.

Please leave ideas for what you want to happen in this story, I would really appreciate ideas for where you want this story to go so feel free to PM me or leave them in the reviews!