Chapter 14: New Friends
"Sorry, is this your spot?" asks a very perky blonde girl, who Meredith remembers spotting at the sorting ceremony.
"Arizona Robbins," says the perky blonde, who reaches her hand out to shake both Meredith and Cristina's, who introduces themselves in return.
"And I'm Teddy Altman," says Teddy, the other blonde girl whose hair is slightly more of a golden color.
"Hi-" says Cristina shyly, and Meredith gives her a look of intrigue, in reaction to that.
"Meredith Grey-" says Meredith.
"Good to meet you," says Teddy, and Arizona nods at her.
Pleased that neither of them brings up her family legacy, Meredith and Cristina decide to sit down next to them and chat for a while before dinnertime.
"What year are you in?" asks Cristina.
"Second," Arizona and Teddy say, together.
"We're first years," says Meredith.
"We saw you in the sorting ceremony," Arizona giggles.
"Any advice you'd offer to us?" Cristina inquires.
"Study hard for potions, the professor is really strict," says Teddy.
"I heard," Meredith grins softly, and pretends she's hardly related to Ellis.
No one calls her out on it, so Meredith relaxes and they continue to chat until the topic of Quidditch comes up, and Teddy mentions wanting to try out for the team next year.
"I'd like to be a keeper," says Teddy. "But I don't know if I could be a match for Montgomery."
At the mention of Addison's name, Meredith perks up a little bit.
"Yeah, she's basically a legend," says Arizona. "And she and Callie are super close."
Meredith perks up even more, hoping that Arizona will have some insight into Callie's (and therefore Addison's) relationship status.
"Those two are�" Meredith says open-endedly.
"They're best friends, and they protect each other. Addison took a bad fall last year after a bludger got to her before the beaters did. Ever since, Callie has stuck by her," says Arizona.
Meredith can't figure out from just that if they are a couple, but she doesn't want to press anymore.
Cristina can tell that Meredith seems tense, but she seems to be ignoring that at the moment as she smiles at Teddy.
"Say would you like to join us for a game of cards?" offers Teddy.
"Sure," says Meredith, excited to play a game (and to get around her mother's obstacles).
"I'm down," says Arizona.
Cristina nods, and Arizona sets up the game, teaching Meredith how to play (Cristina knows already because of course, she does).
Meredith enjoys it, and once they get into the rhythm of things it turns into a very competitive game.
"This was really great. Would you like to join us for games another time?" suggests Teddy, after she wins at the card game.
"Absolutely," says Cristina, starstruck.
"Sure," Meredith says, agreeing.
Teddy and Arizona take off towards the Great Hall for dinner, and Meredith and Cristina pack up the books that they didn't read before they head over there, too.
"Do you think that Teddy would ever hang out with me on the weekends?" Cristina asks Meredith.
"Looks like I'm not the only one thinking about a 'special someone,' now am I?" Meredith teases.
"Shut up," says Cristina, as she reminds Meredith of her endless questions about Addison. "You're hardly subtle, either."
