Chapter 2: The Game That Started It All

AN: Let's all just pretend that Fall Out Boy, Wiz Khalifa and Luke Bryan were popular in 2006. I know my punctuation is off and Iapologize, it has never been my strength.

General POV

Both girls started preparing for today's game like normal, though then again not like normal in some ways. They took more time in allowing themselves to prepare the most minor details when before they would merely just hope they did it in the past.

Callie's routine was simple but yet had that "Callie" effect to it. She would listen to her music on the playlist 'Badass doesn't even describe this Playlist' with a variety of songs that were bound to get her focused and energized. Songs varied from Luke Bryan to Fall Out Boy to Wiz Khalifa. While listening she would start her timer of 10 minutes for her to stretch. She would start with her legs first, then her back and finally her arms and upper body. She found that the saying 'working from the ground up' could be used in various ways in her life. Stretching being one of them. Then when her 10 minutes were up she would tuck and re-tuck her shirt 3 times and kiss her #2 necklace before putting it under her jersey. She would take out her earrings, despite the fact your were allowed to wear jewelry she still didn't risk it. Then starting from the ground up again she would tie her shoes and double knot them, make sure her socks were just right and her knee pads even and the edges tucked under and then tie her thick mane back with two hair ties and put her black headband on straight. That did it for Callie Torres as she found Addison and patiently stood next to her to wait for the announcers to call their names while letting her mind drift to a certain blonde setter that she was about to face.

Across the gym Arizona was doing her routine about the same time as Callie.

Arizona being uniquely her, went about her pre game differently than most. She popped a piece of minty gum into her mouth before every game. She would then grab the pre wrap and medical tape out of her bag to wrap her wrists because she never wanted to risk hurting her them because of a misjudged set. She would wrap the pre wrap three times around her wrist, in between her thumb and pointer finger and around the back of her hand. Always starting with her left hand. She would then tape tape it the same way just a little looser around her thumb to still give her mobility but to also maintain support. She would repeat the same with her right hand. Then she'd stretch every muscle she could feel twice, sometimes three times if she was feeling a little tight or tense...like today. After she was stretched and taped, Teddy would do two cute French braids in her hair and tie them off. Adjusting her shoes and knee pads correctly she would count to 20 to give herself that long to fully get ready. Once the 20 seconds were up she was locked and loaded and was no longer perky, cute Arizona Robbins, but badass, sneaky, lefty Robbins. She was ready.

6:55 rolled around and the announcer started to announce the starting lineups starting with SGU first.

"UP FIRST WITH A REGULAR SEASON RECORD OF 29-1 AND 3 STARTING SENIORS SEATTLE GRACE UNIVERSITY!" Roars were heard throughout the gym. "UP FIRST AT POSITION 1 A 5'11" RIGHT SIDE HITTER, SENIOR ADDISON MOOOOOOMTGOMERYYYY!" Addison ran out to shake the refs hands and shot Teddy a wink from across the gym. "NEXT AT POSITION 2 A JUNIOR AND MIDDLE HITTER AT 6'0" QUINNNN PERKIIIIINS!" "POSITION 3 A SOPHOMORE 5'10" OUTSIDE HITTER MS VIOLEEEET TURNERRRR!" "POSITION 4 A 5'7" SENIOR SETTER AMELLLLLLIAAAAA SHEPHERRRRRD!" "POSITION 5 SOPHOMORE AT 6'1"HITTING MIDDLE NAOOOOOMI BENNNEEETTTTT!" "AND FINALLY AT POSITION 6 SENIOR CAPTAIN AT THE HEIGHT OF 5'10 OUTSIDE HITTER...CALLLLLLLIEEEEE TORRESSSSSSSS!"

"NEXT WE HAVE THE OPPONENT WITH A REGULAR SEASON RECORD OF 28-2 MERCY WEST UNIVERSITYYYYY!" " STARTING IN POSITION 1 A 5'10" JUNIOR RIGHT SIDE HITTER APRIL KEEEEEPNERRRRR!" "POSITION 2 AT 6'1" SENIOR MIDDLE HITTER TEEEEEDDDY ALTMANNNNN!" "POSITION 3 AT 5'11" SOPHOMORE OUTSIDE HITTER IZZZZZY STEVENSSS!" "POSITION 4 SENIOR SETTER AND YOUR CAPTAIN FOR MWU AT 5'8" ARIZOOOOONA ROBBBBBBBINS!" "POSITION 5 JUNIOR MIDDLE HITTER AT 6'0" ERICAAAAA HAHNNNNNNN!" "POSITION 6 SOPHOMORE OUTSIDE HITTER AT 5'11" JOOOOOOOO WILSOOOON!"

After the introductions and National Anthem played the Captains were called to the front of the score table. Upon arriving and shaking hands both Callie and Arizona shook hands and all but ogled at each other at the sensation of just hand shaking. Both locked eyes for a brief second before returning to the task at hand. Winning the coin toss, Mercy West chose to serve first surprisingly. Saying their good lucks both player returned to their team benches to get the last minute coaches speech before going out to kick some ass.

And the game was underway.

The only times either of them would not be focusing on the court was during a time out or a quick glance around during subs.

Callie POV

DAMMIT! I am barely listening to Coach B during the timeout. We just gave up three straight points mostly on our mistakes. First, Amelia got called for a double when Violet came in to hit a 1, then I had a block fall right in front of me because I didn't reach up and over far enough. And lastly fucking Erica Hahn of all people got a kill on a shitty d hit from right side. It really is the littlest things that make the difference. I have been keeping positive though because I have had a hell of a game so far. 4 kills, 1 block, 7 ups, and an ace. That's damn good so far but I tell myself that those points wouldn't have been ours without my team.

During the timeout, I can't help but glance over at Mercy West, and holy fuck! I really wished I didn't do that because there is Arizona, facing away from me, stretching her hamstrings.

Good god she should do that all of the time. Stupid Joanne.

Now I'm guessing Teddy got a little curious as well because next thing I know I see her nudge Arizona and see her look from the side of her legs, still bent over might I add, staring at me smirking. FUCK. Good job Pervy Torres. I quickly turn around trying to hide my blush and refocus back to the game.

Returning back to the court, I stride right into the middle of the front row and set up. Before I can think, Arizona jogs out to the same position but obviously on the opposite side of the court. Awesome..

"Hi Callie." Arizona kind of whispers to me while leaning toward the net smiling a dazzling smile.

"Oh hey.." I say looking downward still waaaaayyy too embarrassed from the timeout. She giggles and it sends the most amazing shiver through my body, but I brush it off because now. Now it's time to play and kick some ass and get a cute blonde out of my head.

Mercy West serves up with a top spin bullet to middle back where Naomi passes up a beautiful pass. I quickly transition to outside and call for a 5. Amelia sets it, perfectly might I add, and my adrenaline is rushing as I push off my last step into the air to make contact with the ball. Mercy West is set up, blocking wise, for me to hit cross, and leaves the line completely open. I take the opportunity and turn my shoulders at the last second and nail it. About a foot behind the ten-foot line-not too shabby-but where the DS doesn't even have time to react or attempt to dig it up. Point Seattle Grace.

That seems to turn around the game for us when we win the first set 25-22.

The next 3 games are very challenging to say the least. We lost the second set 26-24 with Arizona getting the winning point with a sneaky second ball kill. Damn perks of being left handed... We came back and won the third set 27-25 and lost the fourth 25-23. The whole time I can't help but think about how great of a game Teddy and Arizona are having, both individually and together. They way they work together and are so in sync is what I call great chemistry on the court.

After the fourth set, the referees immediately called for Captains again. Walking up there I notice Arizona already up there with a 'don't fuck with me' look on her face. So I don't. I wait as the refs reexplain everything and call the coin flip. I win, calling tails, and we choose to receive. With that we head back and start the game right away.

About 10 minutes later with probably the best and longest rallies I've ever had with or against any team the score is 14-13 SGU. It's my serve and I take 3 steps back and one to the right. When I'm given the go ahead I toss the ball up for a float serve. I make contact and see it float with no spin but lots of confusing movement. Next thing I know, Addison has her arms thrown around my neck and my whole team comes out to celebrate.

Ace.

My last point of my last college was an ace. Holy shit.

Arizona POV

Well fuck. A shitty way to end is all I am think right now. As I walk back to the locker room by myself, I notice that I haven't seen Joanne yet..but those thoughts stop immediately. There I see Joanne. And not just Joanne, but her 'friend' Brent.

No but see the friend part here is confusing to me at the moment. Because I'm pretty sure 'friends' aren't supposed to have each others tongues down their throats or my girlfriend pushing her 'friend' up against the wall. But not to push him away like I somewhat hoped, but to attach her lips to his neck while putting her hands up his shirt.

Now I don't know what the fuck country you go to where friends do that to one another; and trust me I would know because I moved and traveled to a lot of fucking countries. But I'm pretty sure that's not what friends do.

I keep my emotions in check right now to confront my gir-ex girlfriend as of now. So I clear my throat and wait for them to break up their little who can hold their breath the longest competition.

Joanne turns around slightly annoyed because she obviously doesn't know it was me, because then she immediately softens and opens her mouth, "Arizo-"

I cut her off, "Shut up Joanne. You don't get to talk right now and I know that won't be a problem for you since you weren't having any trouble not talking to your 'friend' Brent there for a little bit. So here's how this is gonna go, I'm going to say my piece you will nod your head when I walk away and never talk to me again, okay? Okay." I pause to catch my breath and continue,"So picture this because I'm sure you weren't there to see it, but we lost. I lost my last game of my college career and I was looking for my girlfriend to maybe comfort me like girlfriends should right? But what I see literally hits me in the gut. She's a cheater. A whore and a cheater. And I say that out of the goodness of my heart Joanne because that is putting it nicely. I thought we were in love and that we just hit a patch. But this isn't a patch Joanne, this is a big fucking 18-wheeler exploding on the fucking highway. This is us done. You know how I feel about cheaters and you know I fear the action and the people. Yet you have done both. I want to ask you why, but in my head I know you don't deserve a chance to explain so I won't ask. But I will walk away right now with my pride and be happy soon because I am out of a relationship with a cheater. Goodbye Joanne." I say as I walk away trying not to show my hurt and failed to notice the sympathetic brown eyes watching the whole conversation.

I quickly walk into the locker room and walk to my bag. Throwing everything into it I finally stop and breathe. Then I turn around and punch the nearest locker. 'FUCK!' and then think 'Probably not the smartest idea'. I sink to the floor in front of the lockers and hang my head.

I don't understand. Why? I know we haven't had the best times lately but that's every couple right? But then she's been cheating on me? Who cheats on anyone? She could have at least broken up with me before fucking his brains out. A little courtesy and respect for me would have been nice. Was I really that bad of a girlfriend? No, stop you don't get to blame yourself. She was the selfish bitch that cheated on you. Cheated. She cheated. GOD I FUCKING HATE CHEATERS.

With that I start to let silent tears fall. I'm not all that upset about the situation, just the lack of respect she had towards me. I feel someone sit down beside me and see Teddy.

She smiles at me sympathetically and says, "Callie told me I should probably come check on you. She told me she saw you screaming at Joanne."

"I don't really want to talk about her, just I finally gave her what she deserved and broke up with her and I'm just kind of letting it sink in. Thanks Teds." I tell her through tears.

We sit there for another five minutes just letting me cry. We finish packing up our bags and head back out to the gym. I'm guessing that Teddy didn't immediately talk to Addie afterwards because as soon as she is out the door Addison's arms are around her neck telling her how great of a game she had and that she was proud of her, with Teddy telling her the same.

I see a guy with a camera come up to us just as Callie walks over and he tells us all to get together for a picture saying that "The four All-stars of the game need a picture together." Teddy and Addie and wrapped around each other with Callie and I both on their outsides and we smile for the camera.