Hey Everyone! This story is AU, and it has hints of a lot of different shippings in it. Basically it's the group living in a small town where their past is coming back to them full force. I hope you guys like it! I think it may be my favorite story of mine yet! Enjoy and please let me know what you think! Chapters will probably be short, but hopefully it will be updated often!

please don't make me cry

please don't make me cry

i'm just like you i know you know

i'm just like you so leave me alone

Eisley, Telescope Eyes

Meredith Grey had lived in Braxton, South Carolina her entire life, with the exception of the two years after college. Her life revolved around two things, her students and her friends. Given, since it was a small town, she knew her students way before they reached her fourth grade classroom and after they left, and her friends, well she'd practically known them entire life. But that didn't stop her from making sure to make time for them. Not that there was a whole lot to do in the town anyway. She had to drive to the next town over just to buy alcohol. She didn't drink too much, but she did enjoy a glass or two of wine on the weekends, or a couple shots of tequilla at the nearest bar she went to with Cristina.

First day of school had always been her favorite day of the year. Mostly because it held endless possibilities. She'd been teaching long enough to know that the children were never quite as well behaved in class as they were during Sunday service, but she was always curious to find out who was going to make the year interesting. There was always the classics. The clown, the bully, the nerd, the shy one, the cheery one, even the jock. Her friends didn't believe her that they were all so stereotypical at such a young age. But she could see it, and rarely was she proven wrong when they got older.

"Good morning class." She smiled as the old school bell rang outside the doorway indicating that it was officially 8:31, the beginning of the school year. Several varieties of the appropriate pleasantry filtered the air in mumbled tones as she scanned the room, trying to figure out just how many would be sleeping most of the period. Or atleast trying to.

She smiled, vaguely surprised to find that most of the students seemed to be alert. Instantly, she decided, this was going to be a good year. "Welcome to the fourth grade."

Ten minutes passed before there was a soft knock on her door. Glancing quickly around the room she realized there was, in fact, one seat left empty in far left corner of the room. She quickly made her way to the door, the sound of her heels clinking against the floor being the only noise in the room. Considering there was only one fourth grade class, everyone knew who the kid was, and everyone was more than a little surprised he was there at all.

Opening the door with a sincere smile on her face, Meredith's eyes quickly met the little boys. "Hey Tommy."

"Hi Miss. Meri. Sorry I'm late. Dad forgot to set the alarm. Then there was a bit of an accident in the kitchen, and well, I guess all that matters is that the fire was put out before anything was messed up too bad." A soft laugh filtered the room, and Meredith quickly realized that he was going to be what made this year interesting.

"It's alright, kiddo. Good to see you. Just take the empty seat." He smiled at her thankfully before walking further into the room, ignoring the pity stares he received from his classmates. He'd been getting them for an entire month, and it was just about more than he could take.

"Guess I don't need to take roll, then, huh. " Meredith redirected the attention to her successfully as she grabbed the pink piece of chalk. Turning towards the board before writing "Ms. Grey" on the green board.

As soon as she turned around, she realized a hand was raised in the front row. Megan Johnston- aka the cheery one. "Something wrong, Megan?" She asked softly, not understanding how she already had a question. "Would it be okay if I called you Miss. Meri too?"

"I don't see why not." She grinned before turning around to erase her last name, replacing it with Meri instead. She could sense another hand being raised, so she quickly wrote the formal name below it. "I go by either one." She offered, trying to avoid any confusion, or annoyance.

She sighed slightly once she realized that one hand was still raised. "Yes?" She offered her best smile in the little boy's direction.

"Does your mommy work here?" The boys hair was curly, but it was only long enough for one curl.

Meredith laughed softly as she shook her head. "No. My mom doesn't. Does yours?" She asked, already knowing the answer. Miranda made it perfectly clear that if he looked even vaguely sick, that she was to send him to her immediately.

"Uh huh. She's fixing everyone's boo-boo's."

"Well, I guess we should be thankful for her then, huh?"

"I know I am!" The little boy smiled proudly before finally letting his raised hand fall to his side.

Once again, PLEASE let me know if I should continue!