AN: you guys don't know how happy you make me with your awesome reviews! It's inspiring, really.
Five days ago, I left Los Angeles with a dark cloud hovering over my head. I can honestly say that I had the time of my life and seeing it end made me moody. Five nights ago, I had been laying on my bed, sleepless, restless, thinking way too much to go to sleep. Five nights ago, I got a phone call from the most amazing, most breathtakingly stunning person in the whole world, no, in the whole galaxy, telling me that she wants to stay in touch with me. Me! I definitely squealed loud enough to wake my parents that night, but right then, I didn't really care. I just couldn't. It was too surreal to sit still and if she would have been able to see me, I would have embarrassed myself beyond everything that ever happened to me, because I actually danced around in my room, dressed only in a white tank top and deep blue panties. I still think my reaction was normal, considering the fact that Callie Torres actually went out of her way to get my number only to stay in touch with me. There has been no chance of actually falling asleep that night, but it didn't matter. I had something so much better than sleep.
Yet, I haven't heard from her ever since that one phone call in the middle of the night. We have talked for about an hour after I managed to calm down enough to form actual words instead of babbling noises but that has been it so far. I know she's busy, so I truly can't be mad, and I honestly don't know what I expected. But I had hoped it would be more than just one call, maybe a few text messages too. I still have that hope. Texting her first was not an option. I did not want to be the clingy fan.
Looking into the mirror of the restroom of my best friend's and my favorite little cafe, I can't ignore the dark circles that have developed under my eyes. It's not even a surprise. I am surviving on caffeine since I came back from LA, my brain simply is refusing to shut up at night. Instead, I keep checking my phone every five minutes, just in case she did send a message. It's almost ridiculous how bad I want to talk to her again. The sound of her giggles seems to be embroidered into my brain because when I think about that night, I can still hear it loud and clear and it's one of the best, fabulous sounds I have ever heard. I just wish I could make her giggle or laugh all the time.
Splashing some cold water into my face, I leave the restroom after drying off and head back to the booth Teddy and I have occupied. The table is littered with medical textbooks, her notes and my laptop, I think there hasn't been a day where I didn't write anything since I met her. Thoughts and ideas simply fly to me at the moment and I have to take it to my advantage. It's the strongest creative phase I think I have ever had and it would be stupid of me to throw it away for something as lame as homework. As I not so gracefully slip in the booth, taking back my seat across from my best friend, I can see the shit-eating grin glued to her face and raise my right eyebrow at her in question. "Okay?", I wonder, but she keeps staring at me. "Teds, did something happen?"
"That's an interesting question, don't you think?", she says, still glaring at me and I have no idea what I could have possibly done wrong. "You know, you used to tell me when you met someone. I know that I have been kind of absent with my weekly exams, study groups and Henry, but I am really hurt you didn't tell me you met someone." Still confused, I furrow my forehead and try to wrap my brain around what she could be referring to. "Your phone rang when you were in the bathroom. I thought it was your mom wondering where you got stuck and I would have just told her that we were studying together. Even though you're not studying but writing smutty fan fiction instead, but that is what best friends do. Now imagine my surprised face when the caller ID told me it was not your mom but a call from 'Gorgeous Hotness'", she said, her lips pursed in amusement as she wriggled her eyebrows in my direction. "Did you have a one night stand and forgot her name?"
"What!?" I cannot help but yelp at her words. Callie called? And my best friend thinks I had a one night stand? She called! She asked me that night to add her number to my contacts under a fake name, just in case I would lose my phone. And of course I respect that. It makes sense to me. "Did... did you answer the phone?", I ask, panicking just at the thought and praying that she didn't. Lying to my best friend isn't easy and I honestly hate it. But I have to keep this friendship a secret, maybe not forever but at least for now. Maybe it can turn into more than just friendship, I dream.
"I really wanted to", Teddy replies, "but then I thought I would ruin your chance of seeing her again. Maybe she would think I am your girlfriend and as funny as that could have turned out, you need to get laid. And you also need a shot of finding someone worth your love." She still has that smug grin on her face and the more words that fall from her lips, the wider her grin gets– it can probably split her face in half already. "So, tell me, who is 'Gorgeous Hotness'? Do I know her? Is it someone from Harvard? A professor or a TA? Is that why you couldn't add her to your contacts under her real name? Or...", she leans closer and whispers;... is it Callie Torres?"
I just stare at her, not blinking, I think I'm not even breathing, trying my hardest to keep the truth a secret for now. To be honest, I'm still trying to make out whether she really thinks she is helping me or if she is actually insulting me. Probably the latter, in her typical best friend kind of ways of masking her bluntness. Just as I am about to give her an appropriate answer that will shut her up, my phone buzzes again. It's her ring tone. She's calling me again! God, I wish I was alone right now.
"Don't you want to answer your phone?", my best friend inquires, as curious as ever, while she studies my face to get the smallest bid of information. In general, I am an open book to her, but I'm trying my best to hide my joy.
"Shut up!", I say with a stupid – dare I say love struck – grin on my face before I finally push the green spot on the screen of my smart-phone. "Hello?"
"Hey, beautiful", she greets me and I don't need to see my face to know that I am blushing immensely at her words and the looks Teddy gives me are definitely not helping. "I'm sorry I didn't call sooner. I was quite busy and when I finally had some time, it was late, most of the days it was past midnight, so I thought I shouldn't call anymore", she apologizes. "Don't want to be the reason you're walking around sleep-deprived."
"That's not necessary and it's fine, no need to apologize", I answer truthfully. Most days, I am up way past midnight anyway, writing my stories, listening to music or watching TV, sometimes. "I'd rather spend time with you than sleep." The flirty tone underlying my words doesn't go unnoticed by my best friend and once again, she shoots me a look, left eyebrow quirked and an all knowing smile on her face. Clearing my throat, I explain, "God no, that came out wrong. No, what I meant is that you can always call me."
There's a sweet melodic chuckle coming from the other end of the line and the image my brain creates from my memory is one of utter beauty. "That's good to know, Arizona", Callie says, her voice dropping a little lower now. "I actually do have a reason to call you beside of wanting to hear your voice again."
The red that is covering my cheeks only intensifies and at this point, I don't dare to look at my best friend, my eyes finding the paintings on the wall suddenly much more interesting. She wants to hear my voice! "You... you do?", I ask, nervously playing with the fabric of my pants under the table, glad that Teddy isn't able to see what I'm doing. "Shoot?"
"What would you say to a few days in Miami the weekend after next? I'll be shooting my new music video that weekend and we chose Miami as location. I thought that, maybe, you could join me since it's not as far away as LA and-", there's a pause before she admits a little more quietly, "And I really want to see you again." I don't know what to say. This feels like a dream to me. I mean, this can't be happening, or can it? Again? "Unless the idea is way off base or you already have plans. We could reschedule or... do you even want to see me again? I didn't want to presume anything."
The insecurity in her voice confuses me. Did she really just ask me that? She's the super star, not me. Does she not understand how all kinds of people, me included, would love to see her, every day of the year? Realizing that I am sort of leaving her hanging, I ask, "Are you serious?"
"Of course I am, Arizona. I don't want to be too pushy and I definitely don't want to intrude if you already have plans, but I would really like it if we could meet again. It would also be in my private beach house, not in a hotel and... and I'll... I'll pay for your flight if the money is bothering you." Just from the way she's talking I can hear the consummating excitement and it's infectious. She's also smiling, I can hear it. She's smiling while thinking about meeting me again. I have to be careful or I might actually melt on the spot. How can she be so perfect? "What do you say?"
Shit. She's still waiting for an answer, but I find it once again hard to form words while talking to her. Usually, I have no trouble putting my thoughts into words. They topple over my lips like a waterfall, but she has me completely under her spell, leaving me dumbfounded with her generosity more and more. "I'd love that", I finally say and I can hear her sigh over the phone as she releases the pent up tension. She doesn't know how well I can understand her reaction. I would have been a blabbering mess if I were in her shoes. She asked me and I am still fidgety, that's how bad it is. "But wouldn't I be in the way if you have to work?" Because that is the last thing I want.
"Not at all", she answers, happiness evident in her voice. "You could be there with me and the crew and be a witness to the complete mess and chaos a video shoot can be like." And then she laughs and her laugh hits straight home, it's goes straight to my heart, causing me to smile like a goof. I want to hear that laugh every day. "It might take the whole day to wrap it up, but in the evening I could cook for us or we go out to my favorite restaurant. Whatever we want."
The prospect sounds heavenly, like a dream come true. There is no way I wouldn't agree to all of that, to whatever of that, not for all the money in the world. Truth is, I already admired the Callie Torres I knew from the media articles and movies and from her music. But to be honest, I feel like the Callie Torres I got to know beyond that, the person behind the beautiful face and talented woman, is much more interesting. And I am not talking about nosiness, not in the bad way at least. I just really like what I learned about her when I was in LA. "I'd really love that", I say again and she promises to send me the details to my flights – even though I assure her, twice, that I can pay for them myself – before she hangs up in a hurry, saying that her break is over and that she has to get back to whatever work she's doing at the moment.
When I put my phone down and start packing my stuff together, Teddy's eyes are boring holes into me. "What?" I ask, knowing that it will drive her mad. She's one of the kindest person I've ever met, but she also isn't satisfied until she knows everything.
"What did 'Gorgeous Hotness' want?", Teddy interrogates immediately, making air quotes with her fingers when she says her name.
Smiling at my best friend, I put my laptop on sleep before stuffing it in my backpack. "She invited me for a weekend away", I say nonchalantly, as if it is the most usual thing someone would do. As if I get asked out on a weekend trip on a weekly basis. Standing up, I slip my arms through the sleeves of my jacket and zip it up. It's not exactly cold outside, but there's a strong wind going on, making the air a bit chilly. I don't want to risk getting sick. "See you tomorrow for lunch?", I ask, already picking up my backpack.
"That's all I get?", she asks disbelievingly, staring at me slack-jawed . When I nod, she glares at me, "Come on, I want more. I deserve details!"
"Maybe after I get back, but I can't promise anything", I reply and with that, I leave my best friend all to herself. I wish I could tell her, but aside from the fact that I wouldn't even know exactly what to tell her, I can't. I promised Callie I wouldn't talk about our contact, to anyone, best friend included. Kind of serves her right for what she said before the Latina called again. Exciting the cafe and stepping into the evening air, I can't wipe that grin off my face and there's a visible bounce in my walk as I make my way home. Callie called. Callie wants to see me again. I'll be seeing her again.
So? How was that? How's the next meeting going to be? And when will Arizona realize that Callie genuinely likes her? Maybe even already more than just 'likes' her?