Teacher's Pet

10

I wake up by my own screaming. I pant uncontrollably out of breath.

It was just a dream.

But old memories start coming back to me and I start crying. I feel a heavy pressure over my chest and immediately recognize the signs of my panic attacks.

Not knowing what to do, I grab my phone. I go through my contacts, deciding who to call.

Mom?
Big NO.

Cristina?
No, she's with Owen.

The psychiatrist?
Oh no no no, even more memories come back at the thought of her.

Derek?
I'm running out of options. He's probably not going to pick up anyways.

I press the call button. He picks up after two signals.

"Derek Shepherd.." he mumbles sleepily into the phone.

"Derek?" I whisper with my fragile voice. "It's m-me.. m-meredith.." I stutter.

"Meredith?? It's the middle of the night- what's happening??"

I try getting words out but fail and instead sob into the phone.

"Meredith are you ok?? Fuck!! Are you hurt??"

I'm still crying.

"Goddammit Meredith answer me I'm worried sick over here!!"

"I'm sorry I'm sorry!" I sob. "I'm safe- I'm in my dorm I'm just- I'm- I'm.. I think I'm having a anxiety or panic attack- I don't know- I can't- I- I often can't see them apart but I'm just scared and I-"

"I'm picking you up Mer, I'm on my way. Do you think you're able to come to the parking lot?"

"Yes."

"Ok good. Be there in 5."

"Wait! Please don't hang up!!"

"I wasn't planning to. Deep breaths Mer, deep breaths.."

He breathes with me through the phone while he's driving. When I've calmed down a bit I jump out of my window and run towards the parking lot.

I watch as his car speeds in fast. He stops the car and steps out. He glances over at my outfit.

Long sleeved pink PJ's and Uggs. My hair is in a messy bun on top of my hair. My eyes and nose are red and puffy. Tear stains covering my cheeks.

He sighs. "Oh Mer. Come here honey."

He opens up his arms and I run straight into his embrace. I start crying again, against his chest. He gently strokes my back. "Shh shh.. it's going to be ok."

"I should get back to my room." I whisper.

He moves me out of his arms and puts his hands on my cheeks to make me look at him.

"I'm not leaving you now. I want you to come with me."

"Wh-where?"

"My house. Sleep there tonight. Tomorrow's Saturday, no one will suspect if you're not in your room in the morning."

"You sure you want me to?"

"Come on." he grabs my hand leading my to his passenger door, opening it for me. I climb in and the does the same on the drivers side. We back out and he drives us away from campus.

Before I know it I'm standing in his living room.

"Need anything to drink? Eat?" he asks.

"Uhm.. some water maybe?"

He nods and walks into the kitchen. He comes back out with two water bottles, handing one to me. I drink it fast, thirsty from crying. He looks at me while taking a few gulps.

"You tired?" he asks me when I'm finished. I close my eyes and nod.

"Come on." He motions for me to follow him upstairs.

We walk up and he leads me to a spacious bedroom with a huge bed. "I changed the sheets before I went to bed so they're relatively clean."

"This is where you sleep?"

"Mhm."

"What about the room downstairs where we- you know.."

He chuckles slightly remembering what we did in that room.

"That's the guest room. Upstairs was too far away."

"Oh." My cheeks turn red.

"You need anything else?"

"No thank you I'm good."

"Ok. I'll be in the guest room just come if you need anything."

"But I'm the guest, I should be the one downstairs."

"No no this bed is way comfier, I want you to get good sleep."

"I really don't want to-"

"I won't take no for an answer."

I sigh. "Fine."

I crawl into bed. Derek walks over and tucks me in. He strokes my cheek. "Sweet dreams Meredith." Then he turns the night lamp off. I hear him move across the room towards the door.

"Derek wait!" I quickly turn the light on again and sit up I bed. He turns around and looks surprised.

"Sleep here with me please."

"Mer.. I don't know, it doesn't feel right.."

"I'm already in your house- what difference does it make? Please I just- I really don't want to be alone right now."

He sighs. "Ok."

"Yeah?"

He walks over to the other side of the bed. "I don't want you alone right now either."

My heart flutters.

He climbs into bed and I switch the light off once again. It's dark now.

"Derek?"

"Yes?"

"Cuddle me?"

I'm expecting him to say no but instead I feel his body weight move closer. When his chest touches my back I automatically respond by backing up even closer to him. He drapes his arm over me and our hands begin searching for each other.

They find each other and we snuggle even closer if that's possible.

It feels so good being this close to him again. Before I close my eyes to let sleep take over me, I sigh in content. I think I hear him do too.

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I needed to update this story asap, sry if there's any errors😬🫣