As soon as she parks her BMW Z4 in front of the shed, Merida jumps out of the car and takes her briefcase and backpack from the back seat. Meanwhile, Arizona exits the vehicle gently, closing the door and smiling at the Welsh:
— You were quiet all the way here... — Merida says nothing and the blonde continues: — Your car is very beautiful... you always loved convertibles...
Nodding, Merida smiles, motioning for Arizona to accompany her, and the two walk into the place that is already crowded with people and overly loud music.
— Harris! Harris! Harris! — an extremely thin woman, already elderly and smoking, approaches Merida desperately. — Oh, Harris! My dear, I was very worried about you! Yesterday I called several times, but you didn't answer!
— Oh, Camille, I apologize! I had a few problems, but nothing big. — Merida exchanges some fake kisses with the woman who seems calmer. — Rest assured that I am here and everything will go as planned.
The woman looks Arizona up and down and, without greeting her, walks away. The American rolls her eyes remembering why she never accompanied Merida on her job, however... she needed to earn points with the Welsh and regain, at least, her friendship.
— Hiiiii, Meriiiida! — four models exclaim smiling and waving frantically at the Welsh, who returns with a nod, they look at Arizona and roll their eyes, leaving the doctor confused.
As soon as they stop at a table in the back, Arizona notes that it is full of cameras, lenses, flashes and small towels. Two women move to pick up Merida's briefcase and purse, who points to Arizona and says:
— This is a friend of mine, dear, I would like you to take a chair for her and place it next to mina. Today she will stay with us all day. — she looks at Arizona and smiles. — It's pretty noisy here, I know. But we need to create an atmosphere of adrenaline.
— Ok... — the American responds without understanding very well what the Welsh says, due to the loud sound of the music. — Where you put me it will be great.
Before the Welsh spoke, another model, with black hair, straight and very beautiful, approaches Merida and kisses her intensely on the mouth, making Arizona shocked and slightly jealous.
— Merida, you bastard, you never called me again! — the beautiful woman exclaims, patting the Welsh on the face, who blinks smiling when saying:
— I'm sorry, Monica, things are going well. You know...
Stroking Merida's arms, Monica bites her lower lip as she replies:
— I think you have a girlfriend and you're not telling me...
— No, I do not have a girlfriend, it is just... — Merida, at the same moment, replies boringly.
— OK… I got it… you're in love and don't need me anymore! — Monica pushes Merida's shoulders and, waving to Arizona, walks to the scenery in the background. — What will be the theme of this session?
Coughing fake, Merida walks over to the table to get a camera and Arizona, crossing her arms, asks:
— Is it just my impression, or do you have sex with several women at once? Do you participate in orgies, Merida?!
— What?! — the Welsh exclaims confused and looks at the blonde: — But of course not, Arizona, stop talking nonsense! — Merida shakes her head and approaches the scene: — VERY WELL, WHERE ARE THE OTHER MODELS? WHERE ARE THE JEWELRY?
Disbelieving Merida's lying answer, Arizona approaches her trying to control her jealousy and murmurs:
— Do your parents know what you do?
— By the gods, Arizona, would you, please, forget about it? — Merida asks, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. — And it is obvious that my parents do not know about my sex life, what a most absurd question! — she turns her attention to her work and exclaims: — WHERE ARE THE MODELS AND SNAKES?
Before the doctor says anything, a huge yellow snake is carried by a woman, who stands next to Merida.
— Here you go, Miss Harris.
— MY GOODNESS! — Arizona grabs Merida's arm, who snorts. — Merida... why do you have a boa constrictor?
— Well, silly, to do the photo shoot of and, with that, to make people aware of animals! We have a campaign against animal violence and I will use that campaign to talk about it! — the Welsh responds by petting the animal. — Camille and I had this idea of putting a snake around the models to draw attention to the jewels. The money raised from this will go to associations for the protection of wild animals.
Looking amazed at the Welsh, Arizona giggles nervously and takes a few steps away from the animal. Then the Merida claps her hands and yells:
— VERY WELL! I WANT MY FIRST MODEL HERE, WE NEED TO PUT OUR YELLOW FRIEND ON IT AND THEN THE JEWELRY. — she approaches the model completely naked and helps the snake's guardian to place the animal around the woman's neck. — Great! Now we just need the jewel... Camille, what do you think? Which jewel will we put on?
Watching with arms crossed and in the distance a Merida all excited with her work, Arizona lets out a small giggle and murmurs:
— Naked models... snakes... jewels... loud music... What more could she wish for in life? — the blonde accidentally bumps into someone and turns to face: — Oh, I'm sorry, please!
— It's okay, baby, it's okay! — a tall woman with red chanel hair strokes Arizona's arm. — You are completely lost, huh?
— Oh, don't even tell me! I never know how to behave in this fashion world... especially in such an elegant environment! — Arizona responds by touching a lock of her hair and the red-haired woman looks at her smiling. — I'm Arizona.
— Oh, my name is Vida! Vida Walsh! — the woman responds by exchanging two fake kisses with the doctor. — I am an official hairdresser for fashion shows and sessions for major brands such as Bren S., Dior, RC, VS. And you are?
— Hi? Me? — Arizona points to herself and smiles sheepishly: — Well, I'm... a doctor... friend of the photographer... — she points to Merida, who is concentrated on the photos she takes: — That crazy woman over there.
Arizona and Vida stare briefly at the photo shoot and Vida turns her gaze to the blonde, asking:
— You are the American friend who got married, aren't you?
With an embarrassed laugh, Arizona looks curiously at the red-haired woman besides her and asks:
— Yes... it's me... How do you know?
Laughing derisively as she folds her arms, Vida replies:
— Well, don't play dumb! Everyone knows the American woman who has been friends with Merida for centuries and that she is very passionate about!
— What? Merida? In love with me? — Arizona questions with her mouth open and, after the woman confirms, looks at Merida: — No... I'm sure you're confusing things, Vida.
— Bah! But of course I'm not, Arizona! — Vida points to Merida. — She never gets involved with anyone, she doesn't want to get married, she doesn't want to date and she doesn't even want to assume that she's Brianna's lover, the vice president of Bren.S. Merida told me and Brendon how much she loves her American childhood friend. — The woman snorts. — That crazy woman over there is in love with you... she loves you! We haven't seen Merida excited and with new ideas for a session in a while, you know? I think you reappeared in her life and brought our creative Welsh back!
— COULD SOMEBODY GIVE A WAY IN HER HAIR BEFORE IT FALLS ON THE JEWEL? VIDA! VIDA! — Merida yells pointing to one of the models and looks at Vida: — COME HERE, PLEASE! WE HAVE A TIME TO FULFILL!
— I'm going, darling, I'm going! — Vida exclaims running to the model, who holds the snake in her arms and around her neck is a beautiful gold necklace. — I hope we'll talk more, Arizona. I'm glad you decided to stay with Merida!
Getting completely confused, Arizona slowly lays her head and looks at Merida from a different look.
— In love? With me? Does Merida love me? — the American questions herself by shaking her head. — It can't be... can it?
Arizona feels her heart leap with joy when she thinks that, during all those years they were friends, they were always in love with each other. Everyone had always said that to them and only the two of them never realized...
Because they were girlfriends in childhood and adolescence, everything just seemed to be their first love, but... suddenly... when they heard it from someone's mouth strange... and looking at Merida smiling briefly at herself... Arizona can't explain how, but she feels something different and sees the Welsh in a different way... there is something that seems to have been discovered and that has always been there... inside of her... and that needs to be put out...
— I love Merida... I always loved her...
Sitting in the car, Merida and Arizona remain in absolute silence. The American cannot say anything, because the words of Vida ring in her mind, making her anxious. How could the Welsh love her in a romantic way if she has treated her indifferently since she arrived? It is somewhat confusing to understand the way Merida shows her feelings for Arizona and that leaves the blonde without knowing what to do.
— What do you think about eating something before we go home? — Merida asks when stopping at a red light and her green eyes look at Arizona, who is thoughtful, then poking the blonde's cheek, the Welsh laughs calling her attention: — Hey! Are you on Earth yet?
As if coming out of a trance, Arizona turns to face Merida and the two face each other for a brief second in an intense way, the blonde tries to ask if Merida really loves her and if she is willing to try something, but... the words don't leave exactly as she wishes:
— Could we just go home? I'm not in the mood to go out... the day was pretty tiring, don't you think? — Arizona questions sighing heavily and Merida says nothing immediately, remaining with her eyes fixed on the blonde. — Merida... the traffic light is green...
The American points ahead and the Welsh totally ignores her, keeping her eyes fixed on the blonde, making her anxious for any sign that she might give... but... the sign didn't show up, Merida said nothing, and she simply accelerated the car and drove the rest of the way home in the purest silence, making Arizona too uncomfortable.
As soon as they enter the house, Merida opens the door giving Arizona room to enter and then closes it quietly, so the Welsh walks hard to her studio and leaves the American woman standing in the middle of the room.
Sighing heavily as she sits on the couch, Arizona shakes her head with any word Vida has said, because whoever loves someone so much does not do what Merida has done, wasting an opportunity to have Arizona in her arms...
Throwing her briefcase and backpack with the cameras on the table, Merida snorts angrily and braces her hands against her studio wall.
— What the fuck! Why did I have to take her with me? Why am I asking her out? I can not do that! — the Welsh exclaims running her hands through her hair and throws her head back, as if she is tired. — Everything has always been very easy when we were just childhood friends and girlfriends... Since the age of 12, we have fights, disagreements, but... we never got that hard... we never got away that way... Now she's here... why don't I say everything I feel right away? Why is it so hard?
Merida takes the photos, which she had taken of Arizona, off the infrared printer and hangs them on the small clothesline, watching the beautiful woman sleeping peacefully from several angles. Touching the image lightly, the Welsh laughs silently as she murmurs:
— I need to forgive her or I will lose her... regardless of anything, we have always been friends and this should not end just because of an argument that happened four years ago...
Lying in the bathtub full of warm water mixed with soothing salts, Merida sighs heavily closing her eyes and throws her arms out. Her thoughts are lost in an Arizona in a nightgown sleeping beautifully in bed... with her mouth half open... her breasts covered and drawn by the nightgown... So the Welsh mind flies away... imagining Arizona wearing a navy blue nightgown of pure silk, with every part of the fabric drawing her body... a naughty smile forms on her mouth Merida until she heard:
— Is there room for one more?
Arizona's voice sounds close and, opening her eyes, Merida raises an eyebrow watching the blonde in the robe already taking off her slippers.
— No! Of course not! Are you crazy? — the Welsh shakes her head. — I already said that we no longer have that level of intimacy! You over there and me here! I'll be done in a little while and you can use the bathtub after...
— Bah! Stop talking nonsense, Merida! — Arizona exclaims laughing. — We showered together since we were 12!
Bluntly, the blonde removes the prosthesis, putting it aside, and drops the robe to the floor making Merida look open-mouthed, photographing every part of that body that she had not seen for a long time. The Welsh must admit that the American woman had always been a very beautiful and attractive woman, but... time has done her VERY well! Arizona had become a mature woman with an incredible and more sensual body.
— I... I think it's better... to leave... I'm going to leave... — Merida babbles such words with her eyes fixed on the blonde's body who, trying to enter alone, falls "unintentionally" on her back in Merida's lap. — Ary!
Laughing like a fool and getting more comfortable with Merida's body, Arizona laughs.
— Oh... I'm sorry! — the blonde exclaims laying her head on the Welsh shoulder and loving that hot body next to hers. — The water is delicious...
— Yes... it is... — Merida responds looking at the doctor's breasts completely wet, her hands don't know what to do and are lost under the water. — Do you prefer me... to leave?
— What ceremony is this now, Merida? We always shower together... — Arizona takes Merida's hands and puts them on her waist. — Please, could you help me? As you can see, I need help...
With her eyes wide and smiling in the corner, Merida begins to caress Arizona's waist intensely. The Welsh's hands slowly rise over Arizona's belly and almost reach her breasts, making Merida feel the urge to squeeze them and initiate caresses with some desire... At that moment, Arizona smiles in a corner loving the caresses, closes her eyes and her breathing quickens with the certainty that they will finally understand each other.
— NO! I must not! — the redhead exclaims when removing Arizona from her lap and getting out of the bathtub, taking her towel beside her and pointing a finger at the blonde: — No! I already said... you in one corner and I in another! — that said, she goes out to the bedroom and covers her face with her hands: — AHHHH, SHIT! Why can't I give in? With another woman, I would have advanced... I loved such audacity... but... not with her! Why?
Meanwhile, in the bathtub, Arizona sighs heavily, slightly discouraged, as she was almost sure that Merida feels something for her besides friendship, but... how could that be true if the Welsh doesn't even touch her body. Is it because she is not complete? Is it because she have only one leg? Is she not pretty enough?
A few days later...
As soon as Merida enters the house, she hangs her coat on the hook next to the door and doesn't see Arizona anywhere. She walks to the kitchen, where she places a small box on the counter with some colorful muffins inside.
— Where is she? Is she still in the hospital? — the Welsh takes her cell phone out of her pocket. — No... I don't have to expect her to tell me anything… It's her life!
She goes back to the living room, throws herself on the sofa and takes off her shoes. At the same moment, Okja goes down the stairs grunting excitedly and Merida opens her arms, receiving the piglet in her lap:
— Okja! Are you alright?
— OINK! — the animal responds shaking its head and lies behind the redhead's legs.
— Good girl ...
Merida mumbles taking the remote and turns on the TV, but without really caring what happens. Her thoughts are in Arizona and the possibility of the blonde being in the hospital making new friends:
— She would never fall in love with someone new... It's in my face how much I want her, isn't it? — Merida wonders looking at the watch on her wrist, which says 10:20 pm. — I think she'll be here soon...
The next morning, as soon as she enters the loft, Arizona finds the television on a cooking show and widens her eyes in a funny way:
— Wow! Did I leave it on before going to the hospital? — the blonde walks to the front of the device and hangs up on the button, so when facing the couch she observes Merida sleeping on her stomach. — Oh! Sleeping on the couch? Merida? Did she spend the night there? — Arizona looks at the redhead's cell phone on the floor and a package of vegan snacks on the side. — Did she eat here? Did she leave dirt on the floor?!
Crossing her arms, the American woman walks to the kitchen where she sees, on the counter, a lot of colorful muffins and raises her eyebrows exclaiming excitedly:
— Look! She brought sweets home, what a miracle! — the blonde takes a cupcake and takes a generous bite, closing her eyes. — Huuum... how long have been since I ate these delights?! I had forgotten the wonderful taste they have! — Arizona takes another muffin and bites, dropping the rest on the counter. — Oh, how delicious! — she licks her fingers and goes up the stairs, leaving Merida lying on the couch. — I'm going to take a shower and I'll be back to see what this crazy woman has!
Falling face down on the floor, Merida jumps in fright to stand and exclaims:
— Aahhhh, damn! — the Welsh rubs her forehead and watches the sun shine brightly against the curtain in the room. — Jeez! What time is it? — she looks at her cell phone and the packet of snacks on the fur rug and despairs: — Oh, no! Please, please, tell me that I haven't soiled this wonderful piece of unique collection!
The Welsh picks up the package very carefully and observes on her cell phone that it is already after 10 a.m. Then, she walks to the kitchen where she throws the paper in the trash and, going towards the stairs, Merida sees that the package with muffins is open and with two cookies bitten in half:
— I don't think... — she takes one and observes the generous bite. — She could only have tried this and then the other, just to say how much she missed eating them! If I know Arizona, she will come back and do the same with the others, until she tastes all the flavors in half!
Smiling as she felt her heart leap joyfully when she saw that her Arizona was trying to reappear, Merida moved forward to the bedroom.
While allowing the warm water from the shower to fall all over her tired body from the 24-hour shift, Arizona smiles remembering the muffins waiting for her in the kitchen and murmurs:
— Merida must have brought them home yesterday...
— Where were you, Arizona Robbins? — Merida questions angrily when opening the door of the box in a violent way, scaring the doctor who looks at her in amazement. — How can you come home at this hour?
— What? — Arizona frowns and crosses her arms: — First you forbid me to talk to you... and now you demand me to account for where I am going and what I do? I don't think so!
The blonde closes the door in Merida's face, who closes her eyes and reopens the box in disgust:
— You left the house yesterday before 8 a.m. and only returned today after 10 a.m. What were you doing?
— Working, Merida! Where else could I be? — Arizona answers the obvious and points to Merida: — You need to decide if the two of us are going to talk or not, because then I start leaving messages telling where I'm going. Otherwise, Merida, stop questioning me. I thought you didn't care about what I do! And now, excuse me, I need to finish the shower, sleep and, later, go out!
Having the door closed once more on her face, Merida closes her wrists and walks into the room stomping hard.
— What does she mean by having to leave? With whom? What does she have later? — the redhead sits on the bed and decides to wait for Arizona, who comes out of the bathroom with the towel wrapped in her hair and a robe over her body. Then, possessed of jealousy, Merida crosses her arms when asking: — Where are you going later? With whom?
Raising an eyebrow, Arizona sits on the bed and starts to cream her leg, not believing that Welsh question:
— Merida... I'm going out, period! If I have to give you information about what I do, then you should give it to me too! It's fair!
Standing in front of the blonde and with open arms, Merida exclaims:
— Bah! I was waiting all night for you, I even slept on that couch... but you didn't arrive! Did you decide to show up this morning and still tell me you will go out later? I brought muffins to you, you know? Those muffins you dropped in the kitchen were brought by me... because I thought you would love to remember their taste... brought in all the flavors, as you always ask, just so you can choose the ones you like best and give the bitter ones for me!
As soon as the redhead finishes saying everything she wanted, Arizona smiles in love, loving that statement about muffins and smiles thinking about how much Merida still knows her so well.
— Thank you very much for the muffins, Merida... but I had a very heavy shift and, if you were talking to me, you would know that last night was my first shift, so it was intense. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get some sleep. I am exhausted!