Against the clock

25.

Two and a half weeks slipped away without much fanfare. Just a few days back, I found myself back in the familiar halls of school. The lingering whispers and sidelong glances from my peers didn't escape my notice, but I chose to brush them aside. Derek's words echoed in my mind—my education was more imporant. In the following days, I found myself sharing a few classes with Derek. The mundane routine of lectures and assignments continued, our interactions limited to stolen glances across the classroom. Despite the whispers and covert conversations swirling around us, I remained steadfast in my commitment to focus on my studies. I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was so much left unsaid, a conversation waiting to unfold. I also moved, because rent was getting too high.

Lunch break arrived, providing a temporary escape from the classroom dynamics. I found solace in the familiar company of my close friends as we gathered around a table. Izzie, always the spontaneous one, proposed a distraction from our usual routine. 'So, guys, I heard there's a party tonight.' Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and a mischievous grin played on her lips. Curiosity and anticipation flickered across the faces of my friends as they exchanged glances. Izzie continued, her voice filled with enthusiasm, 'Come on, guys, we've been cooped up with textbooks and lectures for too long. A little fun won't hurt.' Alex, playing with his food and avoiding eye contact, mumbled, 'Izzie, a party might be fun, but you know, considering what Meredith's been through recently... it's probably too soon.' His words carried a hint of hesitation, as if he were reluctant to bring up the delicate topic. There was a brief silence, a subtle acknowledgment of the unspoken struggles we were all navigating.

Izzie, undeterred by Alex's hesitant response, leaned forward, her eyes still sparkling with excitement. 'Come on, Alex,' she countered, 'I get that Meredith has been through a lot, but sometimes a little distraction is just what we need. It doesn't have to be a wild night.' Her enthusiasm remained unabated, and she cast a hopeful look in my direction, as if trying to persuade me to see the potential for a carefree evening. Izzie continued, addressing the unspoken concerns, 'Look, Meredith, if you're not up for it, that's totally fine. We can always plan something else. But a night out might be a good way to lift our spirits a bit.' I looked at Izzie, appreciating her effort to lift the mood and understanding her point. 'Where's the party at?'

Izzie's enthusiasm didn't waver as she replied, 'It's that bar, the same spot as last time.' Her eyes met mine, and there was a subtle acknowledgment of the shared memories from that previous gathering. 'The place where Cristina threw up?' I asked, frowning. Izzie's eyes widened for a split second, and then replied, 'Oh, yeah, same spot.' A brief pause hung in the air as the echo of the past reverberated through my thoughts. 'The place where I was fighting with Dr. Shepherd in the bathroom?' The question hung in the air, the atmosphere shifting subtly as the table fell into a contemplative quiet.

'Izzie, I don't think this is a good—' George started to say, taking a sip from his apple juice, but I interrupted, 'We can go.' My words interjected into George's sentence, and the clink of his cup against the table added a subtle punctuation to the interruption. Izzie's eyes lit up with excitement, and she grinned. 'That's the spirit, Meredith!' She glanced at the others, silently encouraging their agreement. Alex sighed and nodded reluctantly, while George exchanged a hesitant look with me before finally giving a small shrug. The decision was made.

Once home, I took some time to freshen up and get ready for the night. I decided on a black dress, a simple yet elegant choice that conveyed a balance between casual and stylish. The dress hugged my figure comfortably, its fabric flowing gracefully as I moved. In front of my mirror, I added a touch of makeup – a hint of mascara to accentuate my eyes, a subtle sweep of blush, and a touch of lip gloss. The reflection staring back at me exuded a quiet confidence, a readiness to embrace the evening ahead. Approaching the group outside the bar, I was met with smiles and appreciative glances. The friends, gathered in animated conversation, paused momentarily as they took in the ensemble. Izzie, with her infectious enthusiasm, was the first to react. 'Meredith, you look amazing!' she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with genuine delight. 'Wow, Meredith, that dress is fantastic,' George chimed in, nodding approvingly.