Meredith was at Lauren and Julia's apartment, celebrating Valentine's Day, better known as Single Awareness Day. They were being rebellious and not watching one of the usual romcoms, and instead watching the musical "Cabaret." The boys were, as far as any of them knew, doing the same thing, probably not the same movie, though. It was tradition, every year since they met in college, they all hung out together on Valentine's Day.
Lauren had her knees drawn up to her chest, in anticipation, Meredith thought, she wasn't quite sure as she had been texting Brian.
"Aw, c'mon Mer, this is our girls night! You can't be texting!" Lauren whined.
"Who says I am?"
"Well, I can see the phone," Julia reasoned.
Lauren was bouncing up and down now, "Who were you texting? Was it Brian? Oh yes it was! You are sooo texting Brian on Valentine's Day!" she continued, seeing the blush flood Meredith's cheeks.
Meredith tried to hide it, but the damage was already done, "Well it isn't any worse than you texting Joe the whole time!" it was Lauren's turn to blush.
"Was not! I'm watching the movie!"
"Really? What's happening, then?"
"Umm, well, they just sang a song…"
"See! You have not! You're just pretending!"
"Girls, calm down! It's perfectly alright to text the guys you two are obviously in love with!"
"Am not!" they both cried at the same time, causing them to giggle.
"Mer, you soo are!""
"No I'm not! You're thinking of you and Walker!"
Lauren spluttered around for a couple of seconds, "No! I-what? No! I don't like him like that! He's my best friend!"
"And that's all he is."
The sarcasm was obviously lost on Lauren, "Yes, that is all he is! But you and and Bry, now that's another story!"
Julia smiled, "Well, the movie's over, but I think we have a couple of visitors."
Both girls looked up, startled, "How'd he get in?" the both shouted, jumping up in alarm, realizing they were in their pajamas.
"Go get ready, I'll, ah, let them talk, I guess." Julia smirked.
Both girls ran down the hall to Lauren's room where Meredith had dropped off her stuff. They were in a frenzy, Meredith being unprepared, trying on some of Lauren's bigger clothes, and eventually some of Julias. When they were both suitably dressed, they took deep breaths, and went to the living room.
When the girls were gone, Walker and Brian had talked with Julia about what the hell they were supposed to do.
"Just go to a restraunt, not the same one, and have fun! Just be yourselves, that's why they love you. Just keep in mind that they are probably more nervous than you are, just because they don't know if you like them back."
They all stood in an awkward silence waiting for the girls to come out. Finally they appeared, and the boy's breath caught in their chest.
Joe walked up to Lauren and said shakily, "Lo, would you be my, ah, my Valentine?"
She giggled, and said, "yes, I would love to!"
Joe couldn't help it either, she was dressed so impractically for Chicago's February, especially at night. She wore red shorts with a tank top that had a mustache on it with black converse. "I hope you don't freeze!" but he had no intention of letting that happen.
Meredith had put her red polka-dotted skirt back on complete with the red petticoat. She had borrowed Julia's Minnie Mouse t-shirt, as well as some metallic heels, and was wearing her own heart earrings and necklace.
Brain approached nervously, "Well, Joe kind of stole my thunder, but, will you be my Valentine?"
"Yes, Brian, yes I will!"
They left the apartment hand in hand, not noticing Julia smiling proudly, or Lauren and Joe sitting on a park bench. They were too wrapped up in their own world, in each other, to care.