In my opinion, it's been too long since I've updated so I'm giving you this chapter today! It's only really half of one but I didn't want to wait any longer before posting. Hope you don't mind! Thank you for reviewing. I love reading your thoughts!

He's staring at me with gentle eyes, waiting for me to remove the lid from the red and white box. He came back after the party, just like he said he would, and handed me my gift. He looks a little nervous and I smile warmly at him before opening my present. I pull out a gold necklace, a heart pendant dangling from it with the letters C and M inscribed on it.

"Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful, Mark." I smile and lean in to hug him. "Thank you." I pull back and he's staring at me proudly.

"I wanted you to know that I'm serious about us….An-and that there's no one else for me."

I smile warmly at him and then wrap him into another hug. He is such a sweet guy and has always been a good boyfriend. I care for him, and he's everything a girl could ask for. Even my parents love him. I feel like there is something wrong with me because I'm not all goo-goo eyes in love with him. Is there something wrong with me? I don't think I'm in love with him, but maybe I am….But if I was, I should be able to feel it right? I mean, I know it probably isn't like they show on TV or the movies, but I've always felt like love would be this amazing sensation that I felt deep within my core. That made me feel….like I was in heaven.

I've heard love is something you just can't describe. Could I still be acting like a child, waiting to feel some sort of magical feeling that doesn't really exist?

But I did have a magical feeling today. For a few seconds I did feel like I was in heaven. When my eyes made contact with the bluest eyes in the room, I experienced feelings I had never felt before. It was weird and is something that I just can't explain.

"I love you." I hear Mark whisper and I get brought out of my thoughts. I pull back from the embrace we were still in and I stare into his eyes. He is staring back into mine, lovingly, and I bring my hand up to caress his cheek. Maybe I haven't been trying hard enough to love him. He smiles at my touch and slowly leans into me, stopping just as our noses touch.

He loves me. I'm going to put everything I have into this relationship. Maybe somewhere down the line I can feel those magical feelings with him. Maybe one day I'll be able to say back those three little words and deeply, truly mean it.

I moved the last inch and pressed my lips softly to his.

Arizona's POV~

I wake up to annoying chirping coming from outside my window. Stupid bird has been waking me up every single morning since I've been here. I kinda want to strangle it! It's been a week since I've seen my parents and I miss them immensely. The past two years have been tough for my family and I know this trip is for my mom's well being, but after Danny's death, I can't help feel like I've lost them too.

I take a deep breath and for the first time since I've been here, I take in my surroundings.

"Oh no." I gasp.

This room is so….blah. If this is going to be my home for the next year, I can't have a room that looks like this. It's so plain and nothing like me. Aunt Jill said she's okay with anything I decide to do with 'my' new room, so I've gotta Arizona-up this place!

Just as I spring out of bed to write down all the ideas that were coming to mind of how I want to decorate my new room, there's a knock at the door.

"Come in."

Mark walks in my room with a smile. "So, are we going out today?" He asks excitedly.

"Huh?"

"It's Saturday! We haven't done anything since you got here. You've been cooped up in this house not wanting to go anywhere."

"Oh, I just…don't know this city, Mark." And I've also been trying to avoid your girlfriend.

"Didn't you get an offer from someone to show you around?" He says with a grin and winks at me.

I blush slightly causing him to laugh. "Shut up, Mark!" I grab a pillow from my bed and throw it at him. He catches it with his hands and laughs harder. "She was so into you at the party."

I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. "So?"

He stops laughing and looks at me a little shocked. "What do you mean so?"

"I mean soooo?"

"Oh, come on, don't tell me you're not interested. I know you're just as bad as I used to be when it comes to girls."

"No I'm not!"

"Yeah you are." He puts up his hands defensively. "And there's nothing wrong with that. You just haven't found that special girl yet like I have." He smiles proudly.

I roll my eyes. "Whatever, Mark. Why do you want me going out with Aria so badly any way?"

"Look, I just want you to have a good time this year." He smiles brightly. "It could be fun. We can double-date!"

"Mark, you're such a girl sometimes." I shake my head. "And I find it kinda weird that you're trying to get me laid."

He chuckles. "I'm just doing what any good Cousin would do. Danny and I always helped each other with girls when we spent time together."

We barley ever talk about Danny so I froze for a few seconds not knowing what to say. It really took me by surprise. We both stand there a little awkwardly, then I notice Mark drop his gaze and a warm smile appeared on his lips. I knew he was remembering him.

I cleared my throat "I'm gonna go take a shower."

He nods. "Okay….so are you coming out with me today?"

I sigh and finally give in. "Where?"

"Callie wants to go see some horror movie that came out yesterday so I told her I was going to invite you."

"What did she say?"

He looks at me oddly, like he didn't understand why I would ask that question because the answer was obvious. He's right to be looking at me that way. Why would I even ask that? I'm the one having trouble getting her out of my mind and have been locked up in this house so there was no way I could run into her. She probably doesn't even care if I come or not.

"She said it was fine." He shakes his head, ridding himself from his thoughts. "Besides, I want you guys to be friends and talk about girly things and all that other stuff." He says excitedly and it kinda creeps me out…but it's also really sweet how badly he wants me to be friends with her.

"I uuh…I don't really feel like going out today."

He pouts. "Come on, Zona!"

"I really just want to use today to get settled." I point to my luggage that was on the floor. "Look. I haven't unpacked yet and I want to decorate my room a bit." I say innocently, hoping he doesn't notice the real reason why I don't want to go out today.

He huffs. "Fine." Then turns around to leave but stops abruptly and turns back around. "But we're going out tomorrow!" He demands, pointing a finger my way.

"…Fine." I say, then stick my tongue out.

I can't avoid his girlfriend forever. I'm going to be here for a whole year and I've got to get over my feelings. I can be friends with her….and these feelings will go away eventually, right?

After I take a shower, I get dressed for the day and do my hair. I told Mark that I didn't want to go out today, but the truth is, I've been dying to check out Seattle. I haven't driven my new car yet either. I've been in this room since my parents left and all I've done is watch TV and go on facebook. I've talked to my friends from Chicago through the internet and they all miss me just like I miss them.

I finally decide to unpack my belongings and put everything away. It took me a couple of hours but I finally got everything were I wanted it. I hang up pictures of my family and friends too, then I take a few seconds to stare at my walls. I hate the color, is white even a color? They're going to have to be painted.

I was on my laptop for the next few hours looking for stuff on IKEA for my room. There is a lot of cute stuff there. My dad left me his credit card and we've never had money problems so I'm going to go all out decorating. Then I here a gentle knock on my door.

"Come in." I say and my aunt steps in with a smile.

"Dinner is almost ready." She says kindly.

"I'll be right down." I smile back. She's always been so awesome to me.

"Okay." She says and is about to leave when I call out to her. She turns back around and waits for me to continue.

"I know you told me I can do whatever I want with this room….but I just wanted to make sure it was okay with you….if I painted it."

She smiles warmly at me, motherly. It feels good, really good. But it also makes me feel a little sad. It's been forever since my own mother stared at me the way she was doing right now.

"This is your room, Arizona. You can do whatever you want with it, sweetheart."

"Thank you, Aunt Jill." Still smiling, she nods slightly then closes the door. On cue, my tummy starts making angry noises and I giggle to my self, patting my stomach.

I happily skip my way down the stairs, my stomach grumbling again as I take in the smell transpiring from the kitchen. I freeze at the bottom of the stairs as I see her sitting in the living room, Mark's arm wrapped around her shoulders. Both must have heard my footsteps because they turn their heads in my direction. My eyes connect with hers and I quickly swallow the lump that had formed in my throat. I thought I was going to have more time to prepare before seeing her again, but either way, I don't think it would have mattered if I've had a hundred more years of preparation. I've purposely refused to leave this house so I won't have to see her, but there she is, just sitting there staring back at me with those beautiful brown eyes.

I guess she's here for dinner.

Fuck.

I take a deep breath and smile my brightest smile, ignoring every feeling that was coursing through my body. I tare my eyes from hers and look at Mark who is smiling back at me. "So how was the movie?" I ask, trying to act like her presence hadn't fazed me as I make my way to sit on the couch that was next to the one they were sharing. My eyes were fixed on Mark as he stated everything that was wrong with the movie, but I wasn't paying much attention. My eyes watched as Mark talked but only noticed how Calliope just watched me. I nod and smile politely as Mark continued to rant but my pulse quickened nervously under her stare.

I wait till Mark is finished and finally turn my eyes toward her and smile kindly. "Did you like the movie?" She looked a little taken back at my question for some reason, but then spoke gently. "I loved it." She responds and then lets out a soft sigh before smiling back. Her smile spikes my pulse again. We get caught up in a staring competition for what seemed like hours to me, but in reality, it was only mere seconds. My eyes drop to the floor as I see Mark press his lips to her cheek with a bright smile. "Yeah, she likes gory movies like that. My baby is kinda morbid that way." He chuckles, getting closer to her and wrapping his other arm around her waist. I let out a fake laugh and continued looking elsewhere.

Then my hero walks into the living room smiling warmly. "Dinner's served, kids." I'm the first one up and even pass up Aunt Jill to make it to the dinning room. I take the seat I've been taking for past week and soon everyone else takes theirs. Aunt Jill is at the head of the table and I'm on her left side while Mark's across from me on her right. Calliope of course is sitting next to Mark. Uncle John usually sits on the other end of the table, but he always works late on Saturdays.

We begin eating and I chew faster than I normally would. I just wanted to feed my stomach and hurry back into my room.

Damn it! She's doing it again!

Why won't she stop staring at me! I keep my head down and shove the food into my mouth even faster. Then I hear a giggle coming from my Aunt.

"Are you hungry, Arizona?" I look up at my Aunt who has a huge smile on her face. I hear Mark let out a loud laugh and feel my cheeks getting warmer. I quickly swallow the food I had in my mouth and smile sheepishly toward her.

"The food is amazing, Aunt Jill." I say to her and then glare at Mark who was still laughing. I feel my Aunt pat my hand. "Thank you, honey." She says, but I can still see she was trying not to laugh.

"I bet she hasn't left her room all day, that's why she's so hungry!" Mark says, still chuckling a bit.

"Shut up, Mark!" I say and kick him under the table. "Oow!" Mark quickly looks up at his mom like he is waiting for her to punish me. I look up too, expecting her to say something, but she just seems to be ignoring us and continued with her meal. I smile victoriously at Mark and stick my tongue out. He just gives me a devilish grin.

"I know someone who is dying to get you out of that room and show you around." He winks at me. "But you don't really have to leave your room for her to 'show' you around." My eyes go wide. It's one thing to goof off privately, but he's going way too far saying those type of jokes in front of other people. Before anything else was said, a stifled breathing sound was heard loudly through out the room and three heads quickly turn to look at a very flushed Calliope. Her eyes were wide as she grasped her chest and started coughing vigorously.

"Oh my god!" I yell and quickly get up, almost knocking my chair over. Mark is smacking her back worriedly and Aunt Jill also hurried her way over to us as I hand Calliope a cup of water. She instantly grabs it and starts taking long gulps, swallowing the food that had gotten stuck in her throat. When the water was all gone she slammed the cup back on the table and rapidly started breathing in and out until her breathing finally went back to normal.

"Are you okay, sweaty?" Aunt Jill asked with concern as she rubbed Calliope's shoulder.

"Yeah….I'm good." She responded, still looking a little light headed.

Mark lets out a loud sigh of relief and I do as well. "Way-da chew, Callie." Mark says sounding a little angry. Callie glares at him and I just shake my head at him in disappointment. When Mark gets worried, he usually gets insensitive and angry. That never helps anyone though.

I look back at Callie and she's already staring back at me. "Thank you."

Hope you guys liked the chapter. Let me know what you thought!

P.S. As a major Calzona fan, the Mallie scenes are extremely hard for me to write!