A Conspicuous Conspiracy (Ch. 4)
Title: A Conspicuous Conspiracy
Author: clanket
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Callie and Arizona are best friends. As they navigate through their final year of high school, will they realize that they're more than just friends?
Disclaimer: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libellous, defamatory, or in any way factual.
Ch. 4
“I don't want her to worry. Maybe I’ll tell her tomorrow? I’m supposed to call her to hang out tonight.”
“I still can’t believe you told Jackson before me.”
“Well it’s not like it was on purpose,” I tell her with a roll of my eyes. We’ve talked this through every which way possible; at this point I almost feel like I’ve lived out about every outcome that could possibly occur. It’s like I slipped and fell through a season’s worth of Sliders episodes.
“Did you wanna stay and hang out with me and Arizona for a bit? We’re probably just going to watch a movie or something,” I ask Addison. After all, it would be pretty rude of me to kick her out after she’d just spent the last four hours talking me through my neuroses.
Addison doesn’t look quite sold on the idea. Maybe if I sweeten the deal a bit.
“Come on, I’ll even make you popcorn with unsalted butter and dill seasoning,” I tease her.
Addison laughs then responds, “This wouldn’t happen to be your way of avoiding this issue, would it?”
“No, this is me thanking my friend for being there for me by not kicking her out of my house as soon as she’s helped me avert a crisis,” I reply with a smirk.
“Fine, but I get to pick the movie.”
“Deal. I’ll call Arizona.”
With that I grab my phone out of my sweater pocket and hit the speed dial shortcut to her number. After three rings she picks up.
“Hey Arizona, it’s me.”
“Hi, Calliope. Did you fix what ails ya with Addison?” I laughed at her playful tone.
“Yeah, we’re all settled. I was just wondering if you wanted to head over here. I thought the three of us could stay in tonight and watch a movie but I lost a bet so Addie is picking, just so you know.”
“Ah, shoot. It’s gonna be some sappy romantic movie, isn’t it?”
I laughed. “Yeah, probably,” I replied. Then I added to Addison, “is there any chance we could watch something set in this century?”
“Not if you’re going to be like that about it,” she says.
“Umm, Arizona? I’m pretty sure we just wrecked our chances by asking.”
I heard Arizona let out a breath.
“You know, you don't have to come over if you don't want to. I know how much you hate period dramas.” I figured I should at least give her an out. I’m the one who agreed to Addison’s request so there's no reason Arizona should suffer for it.
“No Calliope, that’s fine. I’m sure we can harangue her into something a little more fun. I’ll be there in 15?”
“Sounds good.” And with that I hung up the phone. Looking up I came to face another one of Addison’s smirks. “What?” I questioned.
“Oh nothing,” she says nonchalantly. “Just that the whole time you were on the phone you were smiling. Well, until you told her she didn’t have to come over, that is,” she finishes, teasingly nudging my shoulder.
“What? No I wasn’t!” I have to deny it; I can’t become some sappy cliché pining over someone they’ll never have. But even if I was smiling, all traces of it are now gone only to be replaced by a scowl directed squarely at Addie.
“Not to mention, I’m slightly offended that you actually call her to make plans; you only ever text me.”
“Well that’s clearly not true - I called you this morning!”
“Yeah, for two reasons: one, to show me that you got your hands on my phone again - seriously, you’re sneaky when you want be! - and to make sure I actually got up.”
“Nuh-uh! I mean those are true,” I say in mock offence, “but I also needed coffee,” I ribbed with a smirk.
Addison narrowed her eyes at me. Ooh, this is her ‘I’m seriously gonna mess with you’ face. Crap! Why can’t I ever stop while I’m ahead?
“Yeah, whatever, Callie. I’m gonna do you a favour, anyway.”
I gulped.
“I’m not going to make you guys sit through a lovely period drama -”
“You’re not?” I ask fearfully.
“No,” she says with a smirk. “I’m going to pick Saw.”
“Why would you do that? You know Arizona is terrified of horror movies. That’s even worse than making us sit through one of your crappy dramas!”
“Hey! Keep insulting my romantic side and I may just change my mind about helping!”
“Maybe I’d prefer it if you didn’t ‘help’,” I mumbled. Addison glared at me with renewed enthusiasm.
“I’m going to ignore that.
“We’ll watch some sappy romantic comedy then when it gets dark out we’ll put in the scary movie. I’ll lie down on the smaller couch and you two can have the big one,” she says.
Exactly what is she getting at here?
“You do realize that she’s not going to jump into my arms just because you’re on the other couch, right?”
“Yes she will - and don't interrupt.”
“Not to mention, even if she did seek me out in comfort it’s not like that means she likes me back. We cuddle all the time.”
“What did I just say, Callie?”
I concede with a roll of my eyes.
“You guys will be next to each other all sapped up from the first movie and then when the scariness hits her, Arizona will all but jump into your lap in fear,” Addison finishes sounding very smug with herself.
“Look, I appreciate this but I haven’t even told her Jackson and I broke up, never mind that I like her.”
“Well you’ll have more of a reason to when she’s seeking comfort in your arms.
“Wait, did you just say - and I quote - you cuddle ‘all the time’?”
Just then we heard the front door open. I still love the fact that my friends feel comfortable enough at my house to let themselves in.
“Don’t think this conversation is over, Callie.”
With that we stand up from my bed and make our way back downstairs.
At the entrance stands Arizona, toeing off her shoes. She’d changed her clothes from earlier and gotten into her brother’s baggy U of W sweater and what I know are her comfiest jeans. Even with a sweater that fit her more like a tunic she was gorgeous; her eyes lit up and her skin glowed in the little light that streamed through the front windows. She smiled at us in greeting.
“Hey guys, sorry it took me a bit longer; I’d just gotten out of the shower when you called.”
I smiled back at her, trying desperately to get the image of her fresh out of the shower out of my head. “No problem, we were just trying to figure out what to watch.”
“And did you decide on anything, Addison?” Arizona asked as we made our way past my kitchen and into my living room beyond.
“Well, I thought I’d ease up on the torture for tonight and let us watch a comedy.”
“Awesome! You’re the best, Addison,” Arizona replied with a bright smile. “Which comedy?”
“I was thinking Bride Wars. You know, girl falls for wrong guy, girl’s best friend helps her through it only to realize that the true love of her life was next to her the entire time,” Addison answers looking between us. My eyes go wide as I realize what she’s doing and how Arizona and I are conveniently sitting next to each other on the larger couch.
“Addison, could you help me get some snacks from the kitchen,” I say as more of a command than anything while I not-so-subtly indicate toward the aforementioned room with my head.
“Ooh, Callie, could you grab me some Twizzlers,” Arizona requests, seemingly oblivious to the drama playing out around her. I nod and continue on my way only to see Addison smirking at me.
Once we’re safely out of earshot, I begin my assault. “Addison! What the hell are you doing? I just told you upstairs that I don't want this!”
I continued grabbing snacks from various cupboards to try to make it look like we were having a normal conversation.
“Yes you do. You’re just too scared to do it for yourself. In essence, I am here to save you from yourself,” Addison says with an all-too-happy smile as she leaves the kitchen.
“Oh, and grab us some drinks,” she hollers back. I merely stare at the back of her head in anger and exasperation. No one can make that girl do anything she doesn’t want to do - or stop her once she’s made up her mind. I am so screwed.
Next Chapter
Author: clanket
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Callie and Arizona are best friends. As they navigate through their final year of high school, will they realize that they're more than just friends?
Disclaimer: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libellous, defamatory, or in any way factual.
Ch. 4
“I don't want her to worry. Maybe I’ll tell her tomorrow? I’m supposed to call her to hang out tonight.”
“I still can’t believe you told Jackson before me.”
“Well it’s not like it was on purpose,” I tell her with a roll of my eyes. We’ve talked this through every which way possible; at this point I almost feel like I’ve lived out about every outcome that could possibly occur. It’s like I slipped and fell through a season’s worth of Sliders episodes.
“Did you wanna stay and hang out with me and Arizona for a bit? We’re probably just going to watch a movie or something,” I ask Addison. After all, it would be pretty rude of me to kick her out after she’d just spent the last four hours talking me through my neuroses.
Addison doesn’t look quite sold on the idea. Maybe if I sweeten the deal a bit.
“Come on, I’ll even make you popcorn with unsalted butter and dill seasoning,” I tease her.
Addison laughs then responds, “This wouldn’t happen to be your way of avoiding this issue, would it?”
“No, this is me thanking my friend for being there for me by not kicking her out of my house as soon as she’s helped me avert a crisis,” I reply with a smirk.
“Fine, but I get to pick the movie.”
“Deal. I’ll call Arizona.”
With that I grab my phone out of my sweater pocket and hit the speed dial shortcut to her number. After three rings she picks up.
“Hey Arizona, it’s me.”
“Hi, Calliope. Did you fix what ails ya with Addison?” I laughed at her playful tone.
“Yeah, we’re all settled. I was just wondering if you wanted to head over here. I thought the three of us could stay in tonight and watch a movie but I lost a bet so Addie is picking, just so you know.”
“Ah, shoot. It’s gonna be some sappy romantic movie, isn’t it?”
I laughed. “Yeah, probably,” I replied. Then I added to Addison, “is there any chance we could watch something set in this century?”
“Not if you’re going to be like that about it,” she says.
“Umm, Arizona? I’m pretty sure we just wrecked our chances by asking.”
I heard Arizona let out a breath.
“You know, you don't have to come over if you don't want to. I know how much you hate period dramas.” I figured I should at least give her an out. I’m the one who agreed to Addison’s request so there's no reason Arizona should suffer for it.
“No Calliope, that’s fine. I’m sure we can harangue her into something a little more fun. I’ll be there in 15?”
“Sounds good.” And with that I hung up the phone. Looking up I came to face another one of Addison’s smirks. “What?” I questioned.
“Oh nothing,” she says nonchalantly. “Just that the whole time you were on the phone you were smiling. Well, until you told her she didn’t have to come over, that is,” she finishes, teasingly nudging my shoulder.
“What? No I wasn’t!” I have to deny it; I can’t become some sappy cliché pining over someone they’ll never have. But even if I was smiling, all traces of it are now gone only to be replaced by a scowl directed squarely at Addie.
“Not to mention, I’m slightly offended that you actually call her to make plans; you only ever text me.”
“Well that’s clearly not true - I called you this morning!”
“Yeah, for two reasons: one, to show me that you got your hands on my phone again - seriously, you’re sneaky when you want be! - and to make sure I actually got up.”
“Nuh-uh! I mean those are true,” I say in mock offence, “but I also needed coffee,” I ribbed with a smirk.
Addison narrowed her eyes at me. Ooh, this is her ‘I’m seriously gonna mess with you’ face. Crap! Why can’t I ever stop while I’m ahead?
“Yeah, whatever, Callie. I’m gonna do you a favour, anyway.”
I gulped.
“I’m not going to make you guys sit through a lovely period drama -”
“You’re not?” I ask fearfully.
“No,” she says with a smirk. “I’m going to pick Saw.”
“Why would you do that? You know Arizona is terrified of horror movies. That’s even worse than making us sit through one of your crappy dramas!”
“Hey! Keep insulting my romantic side and I may just change my mind about helping!”
“Maybe I’d prefer it if you didn’t ‘help’,” I mumbled. Addison glared at me with renewed enthusiasm.
“I’m going to ignore that.
“We’ll watch some sappy romantic comedy then when it gets dark out we’ll put in the scary movie. I’ll lie down on the smaller couch and you two can have the big one,” she says.
Exactly what is she getting at here?
“You do realize that she’s not going to jump into my arms just because you’re on the other couch, right?”
“Yes she will - and don't interrupt.”
“Not to mention, even if she did seek me out in comfort it’s not like that means she likes me back. We cuddle all the time.”
“What did I just say, Callie?”
I concede with a roll of my eyes.
“You guys will be next to each other all sapped up from the first movie and then when the scariness hits her, Arizona will all but jump into your lap in fear,” Addison finishes sounding very smug with herself.
“Look, I appreciate this but I haven’t even told her Jackson and I broke up, never mind that I like her.”
“Well you’ll have more of a reason to when she’s seeking comfort in your arms.
“Wait, did you just say - and I quote - you cuddle ‘all the time’?”
Just then we heard the front door open. I still love the fact that my friends feel comfortable enough at my house to let themselves in.
“Don’t think this conversation is over, Callie.”
With that we stand up from my bed and make our way back downstairs.
At the entrance stands Arizona, toeing off her shoes. She’d changed her clothes from earlier and gotten into her brother’s baggy U of W sweater and what I know are her comfiest jeans. Even with a sweater that fit her more like a tunic she was gorgeous; her eyes lit up and her skin glowed in the little light that streamed through the front windows. She smiled at us in greeting.
“Hey guys, sorry it took me a bit longer; I’d just gotten out of the shower when you called.”
I smiled back at her, trying desperately to get the image of her fresh out of the shower out of my head. “No problem, we were just trying to figure out what to watch.”
“And did you decide on anything, Addison?” Arizona asked as we made our way past my kitchen and into my living room beyond.
“Well, I thought I’d ease up on the torture for tonight and let us watch a comedy.”
“Awesome! You’re the best, Addison,” Arizona replied with a bright smile. “Which comedy?”
“I was thinking Bride Wars. You know, girl falls for wrong guy, girl’s best friend helps her through it only to realize that the true love of her life was next to her the entire time,” Addison answers looking between us. My eyes go wide as I realize what she’s doing and how Arizona and I are conveniently sitting next to each other on the larger couch.
“Addison, could you help me get some snacks from the kitchen,” I say as more of a command than anything while I not-so-subtly indicate toward the aforementioned room with my head.
“Ooh, Callie, could you grab me some Twizzlers,” Arizona requests, seemingly oblivious to the drama playing out around her. I nod and continue on my way only to see Addison smirking at me.
Once we’re safely out of earshot, I begin my assault. “Addison! What the hell are you doing? I just told you upstairs that I don't want this!”
I continued grabbing snacks from various cupboards to try to make it look like we were having a normal conversation.
“Yes you do. You’re just too scared to do it for yourself. In essence, I am here to save you from yourself,” Addison says with an all-too-happy smile as she leaves the kitchen.
“Oh, and grab us some drinks,” she hollers back. I merely stare at the back of her head in anger and exasperation. No one can make that girl do anything she doesn’t want to do - or stop her once she’s made up her mind. I am so screwed.
Next Chapter