This chapter has been rotting on my laptop for quite some time, apologies for the late publish.
To say that Arizona was shocked was an understatement. She couldn't believe that just when things are falling into place, its going to be robbed from her in a span of a few seconds without a fight.
She stood by the open door, the unexpected visitor still outside, while Eliza stood equally shocked across from the door. Arizona felt like time has stopped and laughed at her. She couldn't handle the situation any longer. "You two know each other?" she asked looking back and forth Eliza and this Haley girl but directed her question more towards Eliza. When Eliza didn't answer immediately since the brunette seemed to be in a state of shock caused by the other woman's presence on her front door, Arizona walked towards the bedroom passing Eliza and muttering, "It was nice to meet your girlfriend." Making sure Eliza hears the disdain in her voice regarding the new found information.
Letting what Arizona muttered catch up with her brain, Eliza snapped out of it and instantly questioned the statement. "Girlfriend?" And then the realization hit her. She looked at Haley and realized what has happened. "Damn it, Haley. What did you tell her?" Eliza asked in passing but did not wait for the answer, instead she followed her girlfriend towards the bedroom hearing an "Oh, shit." from Haley in the background.
Upon entering, Eliza saw Arizona changing into her street clothes and was gathering her things. "Wait. Arizona." she tried to get the blonde's attention but Arizona carried on with what she's doing, paying Eliza no attention and continually placing things inside a duffel bag. To say Arizona was pissed was toning it down. She was furious. She felt like she was on fire and she needs to start throwing things while screaming from the top of her lungs. But instead, she figured she needs to get out, fast. "Arizona." she tried again but she just earned a glare. "It's not what you think." she tried to explain but was still ignored. "Can you please stop and listen?"
Arizona finished getting dressed and getting her stuff together in record time. She walked out of the room and was going for the apartment door, passing by Haley who was sitting by the kitchen counter, innocently watching the moment in front of her. Eliza was running after her. "Arizona!" still nothing. "She's my sister." Eliza sighed in relief that that statement got Arizona's attention, causing for her to stop and turn around with an even more confused face.
"What?" Arizona asked turning to face the two brunettes, seriously confused. "She introduced herself as your girlfriend." she stated remembering that Haley did introduce herself as that just a few moments earlier.
Eliza gave Haley a glare and gave the girl a flick on the side of her head. "I'm going to hurt you." she muttered to Haley before walking closer to Arizona. "She's my sister." Eliza repeated.
"Unfortunately." Haley backed up her statement. Getting out of her seat, she walked towards Arizona and handed her something, which the blonde took hesitantly. It was her driver's license. "See, Minnick." she referred to her last name. "Sorry about that." she apologetically gave Arizona a small smile.
"Why the hell would you introduce yourself as your sister's girlfriend?" Arizona asked annoyed and mind-boggled at the same time. That question caused Eliza to sigh. Haley looked at her sister wondering if she should answer the question or should she let Eliza do it. The older Minnick knew it was her who should discuss this with Arizona but this was a conversation Eliza wasn't planning to have. "Is somebody going to answer me?" Arizona asked, her tone still high pitched. "Or should I just start assuming things?"
"It's a thing we did before." Eliza tried to explain, not sure of the reaction Arizona was going to give. Looking at her girlfriend's face, she saw that Arizona was expecting her to continue. She let out a heavy sigh, not wanting to continue but she felt like she had no choice and it was annoying her. She hated being backed into a corner with no choice or be left with two unlikely choices.
"Oh I'm sorry, is explaining this mind fucking scenario a burden for you?" Arizona asked, annoyed at the reaction Eliza was giving her.
"Feisty. Nice." Haley muttered. Earning a glare from both surgeons. "Zip it." Eliza snapped at her sister. Haley raised both of her hands in surrender and walked away from the two. "I'll make myself scarce. Call me when you're settled" Haley said, walking away from the bickering couple. "It was nice to meet you, Arizona." Haley bid farewell, knowing that her sister's going to need time to explain stuff.
"Can we just talk about this in my bedroom?" Eliza asked. "I'll explain everything." It took a couple of seconds before Arizona decided to drop her things and lead the way into the bedroom because as much as she wants to walk out, she also needs to understand things.
Once they were in the confines of the bedroom, away from doors and potential walk outs, Arizona started questioning Eliza again. "Would you mind explaining to me why your sister is walking around Seattle looking for you and introducing herself as your girlfriend? Which, by the way, is so wrong." Words were coming out of Arizona's mouth like bullets from a machine gun. It was continuous, sharp, fast and if you don't pacify it, deadly.
"I will." Eliza assured, holding Arizona on both of her arms to steady. "But you need to calm down first."
"Calm down?" Disbelief was laced with Arizona's voice. "You want me to calm down after your sister's crazy introduction almost shattered my world?"
"I'm sorry." Eliza said sincerely, understanding the height of emotions Arizona was experiencing. It's not everyday that someone introduces themselves as your girlfriend's girlfriend. "I know this is all so messed up and I am going to try to explain but you have to settle down and calm down. I need you to listen." she asked her girlfriend who was she knows was still in a level 100 rage mode.
Arizona tried to calm herself down because she needed to know the explanation behind this situation they were currently in. She sat at the foot of the bed waiting for Eliza to start.
After a couple more seconds, Eliza was sure that Arizona was ready to listen so she sat beside her and started her explanation. "Some time ago, I went through a horrific break up. Saying it was bad is an understatement. It was extremely horrible and a story for another time." As much as she wanted to tell Arizona the entire story, there were more pressing matters at the moment. Arizona nodded and let Eliza continue. "That break up really left me in a bad place. I was in a really unstable, dark place. I was missing out on work, I was drinking almost every chance I get, I was getting drunk in the most unlikely time I was going nowhere but downward spiral and I was pushing people away. My sister was stubborn, she wasn't going to let me push her away. So, she would pick me up in the middle of the night when I can't drive myself home because I had to much to drink. I was getting in all sorts of trouble and my younger sister was always there saving my ass." It was evident that Eliza wasn't proud of that phase in her life so Arizona just let her talk. "During that phase, I started sleeping around. It was basically a new girl every night. Anyone to keep me occupied." Eliza searched for Arizona's eyes to know what her girlfriend thinks. "See why I wasn't very keen on sharing this?"
"It's fine. We all have our pasts that we're not proud of." Arizona assured her.
"I know that." she replied remorsefully. "But I was horrible. It was always an interesting morning, explaining to someone you just slept with that you're not looking for something serious and basically asking them to get out of your house because you're in no shape to be caring about their feelings right now. Until one morning, Haley came by while I was in a middle of asking someone to leave and I had this bright idea of dragging my sister into my mess and introducing her as my girlfriend which sends about every girl running out of my apartment as fast as lightning, afraid of a confrontation." A part of Eliza wanted to laugh at the memory and also a part of her was ashamed of what she has done. "So ever since then, it was the routine we did. I dropped the excessive drinking and started working my ass off again. But I still had the casual sex thing going on and I call her for help and we put on a show." Arizona was getting the scenario now and a huge part of her was relieved. "That went on for a year until I moved here. So I guess she thought I was still in that phase. That's why she did what she did." Eliza looked at Arizona's face and obviously her girlfriend looks like she had a million questions in her head. "I understand if it's too much for you right now." she said shaking her head.
"It is." Arizona confirmed. "But I just need to know something." she continued. Eliza nodded, urging her to continue. "You're not in that phase anymore, right? I'm not going to meet a wife or girlfriend in the future or hear a fake story when you want out right?"
Eliza was surprised with Arizona's question. "You think I'll do that to you?" in all honesty, Eliza wanted to know if Arizona does think that. "After everything we've been through, you honestly believe I'll do that." Eliza was slightly offended with her girlfriend's question.
There was a sudden rush of guilt that ignited within Arizona. She saw the hurt written all over her girlfriend's face and now she feels stupid for even insinuating that Eliza would just up and leave her. Eliza was scared to open up and the first chance she did, Arizona reacted this way. She tried to reach out for her girlfriend's hand but Eliza pulled away even before Arizona could touch her.
The brunette stood up from her place. "I'm not proud of what I have done but I thought.." Eliza couldn't hold it together anymore. Tears that she has been stopping from falling were pouring out of her sad eyes. Arizona stood up hugging her girlfriend.
"I'm sorry." Arizona kept on repeating into Eliza's ears. She felt really bad for making Eliza feel like she's doubtful of their relationship. She can feel Eliza shaking her head and fighting away from her embrace but Arizona held her tighter, afraid of what was to happen if she Eliza go.
Eliza managed to move away from Arizona's arms. She turned her back against her girlfriend, not wanting to look her in the eyes. "You should go." was all that left Eliza's mouth.
"Eliza.." Arizona barely whispered. "Please don't do this." her greatest fear was coming to life once more. She managed to drive Eliza away. She tried to reach out for Eliza's arms but it was like the brunette knew she was going to do that and moved further away. "I'm sorry."
"You have shift. You should go." Not once did Eliza let her eyes see Arizona. She was hurt and offended and scared even and she needs to rethink things and talk to her sister but she knew one look towards Arizona can cloud her judgment and the last thing that she wants is to hurt Arizona and get hurt herself, so she needs space.
The blonde surgeon was left with no choice but to leave against her will. She wants to talk it out but obviously, Eliza wasn't ready for that and Arizona knew she was in no position to demand that off of Eliza as of now. So with a heavy sigh, she went out the door and walked away from her girlfriend.