AN: Alright guys, here's another update and since we all wanted Arizona to get to Miami really fast, well, our wish was granted.
Also, there won't be another update until next week, 'cause I'm going on vacation. Very much needed, might I add. Sorry guys. But I really hope you like this one.
For the past week, all I did know beside eating and sleeping and the usual stuff I do to feel alive, were my law school books and notes so I could go to Miami and see Callie again. I needed good grades – despite the fact that I still despise the idea of becoming a lawyer of even a judge, or really anything that has to do with the law – my parents cannot complain about me neglecting law school if I stay at the top of my classes. Luckily for me, there was only my mother who I needed to convince after I dropped the bomb of leaving for yet another weekend. She wasn't pleased with the thought either, she is probably still slightly upset about it, but she also couldn't stop me from going if I did good in school. So, I worked my ass off on a case project I had to do with three of my fellow students, aced my midterms throughout the days and in the evenings, Callie managed to put a smile on my face when she called.
And God, we have been talking so much during the past seven days. She called me every day when she was done with work, except for last night, and it soon became a habit that we talked for more than two hours. Although it didn't feel that long. She's just so captivating. I could listen to her talk all day and I wouldn't feel bored for one second. By now, I am fairly certain that my celebrity crush has developed into something way stronger than that because most of the time, we don't even talk about her work or what she does and who she knows. And the more we talk, the more I find myself attracted to her personality and not to her fame. Of course, all that glorious fame and her being an amazing actress and a beyond talented singer is what drew me to her in the first place. But the real person, the character and soul behind those deep brown eyes and the epitome of beauty that she is, is more than just infatuating, more than I can describe in words. And she likes me, that's what she said a couple of times. And in my dreams, it's more than that. In my dreams, she's into women and into me. In those dreams, I can be with her. And a big part of me wishes – and kind of hopes – that it could be this way in reality, but I don't dare to actually picture it. Because someone like Callie Torres – gay or not – doesn't fall for a girl like me. That's just impossible.
Usually, I would simply talk to Teddy or Anna about it, but I can't. It is somewhat annoying and most of the times these days I really have to be careful what I say, but I can also very much understand where she's coming from. She doesn't know my friends, hell, she barely knows me! How's she supposed to know that neither of us would run to the next best tabloids to sell the story or anything she tells me in private?
Anyway, with the prospect of seeing her again, studying wasn't so bad and it's also something I won't think about for the next two and a half days because now I am here. The minute the wheels of the plane touches the ground at Miami International Airport, I can feel the tingles in my whole body again. It's overwhelming. Just thinking about meeting her turns me once again into a massive ball of giddiness and excitement. I have to remember not to act like a fan. Be the girl she got to know on the phone.
When I finally get my luggage and make my way through the tight security, I know it's only a matter of minutes until I see her. It is a little strange, to be honest. Even though I am miles away from home and even though I don't know what she is in my life, it feels like coming home. Shake that thought, Arizona, I tell myself. I can't get caught up on something that will not happen. Just because you're gay and she said that she likes you doesn't mean she's gay too.
My eyes search through the crowd, trying to spot either her or George, but I can't find anyone who looks familiar to me, so I keep walking but slow down a little. There are so many people here, walking – some are even trying to run – in I don't know how many different directions, that it's actually really hard to focus. But then, only a minute or two later, I can feel her eyes on me. It's as if I sense that she's watching me and the moment I turn to her and our eyes lock, her impressive gaze makes my heart stop. That's the effect she has on me. One look, and I am completely enamored.
Taking a couple of deep breaths before my feet actually unfreeze and start moving, I use the time and try to collect myself as best as I can. It's not easy with your heart pounding so loud and hard to the melody of an up-beat song in your chest. "Hi", I breathe out the moment I stop right in front of her. The scent of her perfume is sweet as it fills my whole body and all I can do is keep thinking that it's the smell of heaven, yet it's sinful at the same time. For whatever reason, this scent takes my mind to a dirty, dirty place where there's a very naked Callie on top of me. Stop, Arizona!
"Hi", she whispers as she pulls me in for a warm hug, startling me for a few seconds, but I cannot not ease up when she's around. That's what she does to me. "Did you have a good flight?" I simply nod my answer, not yet trusting my mouth to not say something super embarrassing, not with the images I had in my head just a moment ago. "Good", she smiles at me. "George is waiting outside for us. Here, let me take that."
"Callie, you don't have to-" But she doesn't listen, instead she walks away, pulling my carry-on with her. "And here I thought chivalry was a dead thing", I chuckle to myself before I jog a few feet to catch up with her. "How's your day been so far?" Small talk is good. Small talk prevents my mouth from saying something stupid.
"It's been good", she answers, still smiling and then adds, "It's better now that you're here. But I have some bad news." Callie stops in her tracks and faces me, obviously noticing the confusion written all over my face. "I'm not canceling or anything, I just have to be at a location in an hour. There's been a change of plans and we're shooting some of the last scenes today. That way I don't have to work tomorrow, but it could be a long day until we get to the house, I hope that's okay with you?"
I am stunned into silence at her question. Why shouldn't I be okay with this? I mean, it's her work, it's something she can't push back. Plus, I benefit from it, especially this weekend since I'm going to see her actually shoot the video and because she'll have more time tomorrow.
Obviously taking my silence the wrong way, the radiant smile on the Latina's face fades and she says, "George could take you to the beach house if you'd prefer that. It's not that far and he can just pick me up in four to five hours. We already shot a lot of the video yesterday but we have to redo some of the scenes, so-"
"You're rambling", I giggle, finding it absolutely adorable. Shooting her one of my best and deep-dimpled smiles, I say, "It's fine. You don't have to explain anything to me because it's your job. Even if you'd have to work tomorrow and Sunday, I'd be happy to be here and spend whatever time you can spare with you." Only realizing what I said when those words have already left my mouth, I bite my lower lip and try my best not to turn beet-red.
"You're amazing, Arizona Robbins", Callie simply states and squeezes my hand for maybe two seconds. But it's enough to send that spark through my body again. The electricity I felt when our hands touched for the very first time, it's still there, I think it's even stronger now.
I honestly think I'm really falling for her. Hard and fast.
Five hours later, it's nearing 10pm already, she's still not done shooting the video. Or more like, the video itself is basically wrapped up, but there is this one scene I have to witness over and over again and frankly, I don't like that scene. It's the kiss. It's the scene in which she kisses the male counterpart in her video to her new single and they've been shooting it for more than an hour already. It makes my stomach turn. She's a type-A perfectionist, that much is clear and I get it, I am the same. But for some reason, she's never satisfied with the outcome and I find it a little hard to believe, because from what I've seen, it was perfect, extraordinary even, definitely more than enough for a music video. But apparently, she feels different about it.
And so I sit quietly in one of those director's chairs with my arms crossed like a little child and my lips pursed at the sight before me. I thought about looking away, but then I wouldn't see her and really, that's a sight for sore eyes. The way she moves, the way her body language oozes self-confidence and strength, it's actually hard not to look at her. I can openly admit that it turns me on to see her like that, to watch how she is in control about what's going on – yet in such a friendly and nice way that it takes my breath away.
When she comes over to me, she shows me that trademark megawatt smile that – in my eyes – is her most powerful weapon. That smile can probably solve wars. "That took longer than expected, sorry", she apologizes and empties the rest of her bottle of water. "I'd prefer to just get rid of all that makeup real quick and then we're good to go? Are you hungry? We could order pizza on our way so we don't have to wait that long."
"Sounds good", I smile back at her, relieved that it's over. With her standing so close to me, I have to try my best not to focus on her intense eyes or those full lips with colorless lip-gloss shimmering so deliciously in the light. I wonder how these lips would feel against mine.
"Perfect. Give me a few minutes?"
She waits for my nod before leaving me to myself and to the urge to stare after her. I flop back down into the chair and stare ahead as the crew members and the male model clean up and make themselves scarce within five minutes and just like that, everything around me has gone quiet. The studio – it's actually a really old looking mansion – has been full of life and noises just a minute ago and now? Nothing. And I can't help but think that this nothingness is really nice compared to the hustle. But it also makes me think about the, at least, thirty kisses that happened within the last hour and I shiver at that thought. I know it's not my place to be jealous, or even think about kissing her, but I cannot stop the sour feeling from bubbling up inside me.
"You look like you're deep in thoughts. Is everything okay?"
I jump out of the chair when I hear her voice. I haven't heard her coming back and the sudden sound in the otherwise quiet and relatively dark studio scared the shit out of me. "Yeah. I'm okay", I answer, although the pace of my heartbeat is still not back to normal. It most likely won't go back to normal until you leave Miami, I think. "I'm ready, if you are?" My voice still sounds a little bitter. I just can't shake the memory of her kissing that stupid male model. Get a grip, Arizona. She's not your girlfriend. You're barely even... friends?
"You don't sound okay", Callie counters but doesn't dig any further, which I honestly appreciate. I wouldn't know how to tell her that I was jealous of the guy who was allowed to kiss her without giving away that I am jealous for not being able to do the same. "Did you like the video? Or, what you saw from the shooting? It's not finished yet, of course. The actual work of the cameraman and his cutting assistant begins now.
My eyes flicker to her and even in the dim light, I can see that she's glowing. It's magical how her face can portray even the finest bit of emotions. Her eyes are the key. She has the ability to speak without words and yet say so much at the same time. And right now, her eyes are filled with worry, hope and also – what I think is – curiosity. "I'm not a fan of the kiss", I say honestly. "It takes something away from the song. To me, the ending is an open end and the listener can decide whether it's a happy ending or not and he can do so by his own mood. But that's just my dilettantish opinion, so maybe not-"
"I don't like the kiss either", she says, her expression changing from worried to sheepish. "I don't like filming kisses. I want them to look real, but an acted kiss can almost never look like a real kiss because it misses the chemistry true lovers feel. Unfortunately, it partly comes with the job. Unless I would always play a single woman who never dates for whatever reason. Or I could change to the horror genre, but that's not really my kind of movies." Her eyes meet mine and she adds, "It wasn't a real kiss."
"It wasn't?", I ask stupidly. Of course it wasn't, Arizona, I chastise myself and mentally slap my forehead. "I mean, yeah, of course it wasn't." But oh, I would die to know what it feels like to really kiss her.
"Do you want me to show you what an acted kiss is like?", she asks me, her perfectly shaped right eyebrow raised at me in question.
Before my brain can even start to figure out what her words really mean, she's moving closer to me and brushes a few blonde strands out of my face. The next thing I know, she's cupping my cheeks with her soft hands and her lips are ghosting against mine before she deepens the contact. My eyes are wide open in shock. None of us moves, we just stand there. At some point, my eyes flutter close on their own accord and I noticeably relax at the gentle touch. It's still only lips on lips. But it feels like so much more. It's the most gentlest kiss I have probably experienced, ever, in my whole life.
"That is an acted kiss", she whispers after she pulls away. The wink she shoots me almost kills me. Barely five seconds ago she had all the power over me and now she gives me that big smile that could make grown men weak in the knees and pairs it up with the roguish wink. How does she do that?
Regaining enough oxygen in my brain to finally realize what happens, I don't know what to do. If that is only an acted kiss I am not sure I can handle a real kiss from Callie. As it is, I already have trouble getting my body back under control. My breathing is ragged and if I thought my heart was pounding hard and fast when she picked me up this afternoon, than right now it's beyond beating out of my chest. "Whoa", I breath out when I find my voice again – or, what's left of it after the kiss.
Chuckling, Callie once again combs loose strands behind my ear. "It's all an act. Pays the bills. But kissing someone I like is supposed to knock the air right out of that person. And what just happened is certainly not the way how I would kiss someone I like."
"It was not?"
So, how do you think this first day turned out for Arizona? And after that really innocent kiss, what will happen next?