Meredith stared at herself in the mirror for a really long time. She stared at her rosy cheeks, and the shape of her eyes. She looked at herself and wondered if it was worth it. Deep inside the feeling of embarrassment was boiling up within her. She thought if this was a joke, how far would they take it. But no matter what happened tonight, she would be dressed to kill. She sat in her undergarments looking at the dressy clothes behind her in the mirror and thought it was time to put it on. It had been 6:30 and she was nowhere near dressed. As she slipped it on, she walked toward the door & opened it as she zipped her skirt up. At the same moment, Lexie opened her door. It was silent in the house for a moment, as they both looked at each other.

Simultaneously they spoke, "How do I look?"

Meredith studied her sisters face and noticed she was chewing the inside of her bottom lip. She knows that she only does that when something is making her feel psychotic. "Why are you nervous," she asked.

Lexie's back tensed up as her left eye twitched. She stammered until she could make a sentence."Wh- why are y-you n-nervous?"

"Hello," Meredith said in an uneven tone. She waved her hand in Lexie's face, making her blink dramatically. This was Meredith's night, she had a reason to be nervous. She was unsure of what Lexie's nerves were spiraling down.

"Oh sorry," Lexie looked down. She realized that she says things without understanding what she has said. She continued, "my bad."

Meredith smiled. "How's my hair?"

Lexie looked at her sister's hair. Although they competed in many things, Meredith's sily brown hair was always the best. Lexie admired how her sisters hair was pinned up to look like a Bob. "Great," she replied immediately.

"Teeth?"

"Clean."

"Clothes?"

Meredith placed her hands on her waist awkwardly, showing Lexie her high waisted skirt. "Trendy,"Lexie replied.

"Thanks," Meredith let out a sigh.

Seconds passed by and Lexie waited. The quiet took over the hall once again. She stared at Meredith, only as she paid attention to herself. Lexie began swinging her arms back and fourth waiting for her sister to compliment her. But she didn't. Only when Lexie let out a horrible, fake sounding cough Meredith then realized what her little sister wanted. "Oh right! Right," she said coming to an answer. "...You look beautiful."

"Thank you," she said in an exasperated tone.

"Okay, so whats the game plan," Meredith asked.

She snaped both of her fingers. "I'm going to pick up April. Avery will be there with Cristina. So everyone should be there by 8:30. What are you going to do?"

"Karev is driving me to the Bistro's in like six minutes," She checked her watch, "He should almost be here."

"Do you think that's a good idea?"

"What," she asked innocently.

"Well Karev's hot- more than hot, he's smokin'. Do you think it would be a good idea to go in there with him?"

"I'll take my chances. Now hurry up, go and get April." They both walked into their rooms, and slammed the door almost in unison. Lexie put on her coat and walked downstairs to get April. Meredith sat by her window and waited until Karev honked his horn.

At 6 o'clock Cristina looked beautiful. She kept her curly locks down, and wore a tight plain black dress with gorgeous black heels. Her outfit matched her soul. Black. As she walked to the kitchen she heard a knock at the door. She checked her watch. She knew it was Avery. And when she opened her door, her suspicion was correct.

"Hi," he said with a nervous tone. Although he was nervous he had this biggest smile on his face.

Cristina didn't respond. She was looking at him. She stared at him from head to toe. He wore a white V-neck t-shirt with a black and navy blue stripped cardigan, and as her eyes traveled downward he wore black straight leg jeans. 'Appearance = 10' she said in her head. She looked at his face and realized he was nervous, she put on a fake smile, "Hi," she said back finally.

From behind his back he held a bouquet of pink lilies. Ever since he was younger, his mother told him to always give a young girl pink lilies & that you would steal their heart when you do. So he held his heart to it. "These are for you."

With sincerity, she grabbed them and responded, "aw thank you Avery, that's so sweet of you."

Silence over-took them. She realized that he was still standing at the door step. "Oh! This is so rude of me, come in." He walked into the house, and looked around. He was amazed, but even more amazed at the way that Cristina looked.

"Wow," he said in an exasperated tone, "you look fantastic."

"Thank you," she responded, "you pulled yourself together nicely too." Silence filled the room once again. Avery stared at her as she tried to avoid eye contact. She put the lilies in water and he continued to stare.

Before she turned around, he asked, "So what time do we need to be there?"

She looked at her watch again, "We have to be there by 8:30. It's 6:30 now. I'm sorry for making you come so early, we kind of changed plans at the last minute."

"No it's fine," he said reassuringly, "I actually wanted to take you somewhere, if it was alright with you?"

She thought for a minute. Did Avery really like her or was this all a joke? She didn't like jokes and she would beat the crap out of him if it really was. "Um, where to?"

"It's a surprise."

"Um.. okay. Let me grab my coat and purse then." She grabbed her coat and opened the door for him and led him out. She decided to take the purse with the knife, just in case.

Twenty minutes later, they were at the park. It was getting chilly out there, so he decided to giver her his coat to keep her warm. She was curious why he had taken her there, she felt like Meredith was wrong. She felt Derek wasn't the date raper, Avery was. She kept away from him, and kept on her tippy toes just in case he tried to pull something.

"So why did you bring me to the park, Avery," she finally got the courage to ask him. She was ready to run. In her head she thanked every upper power for reminding her to put comfortable insoles into her heels.

He looked at her and smiled, "I know you probably think I'm a creeper. & it's okay, I'll accept that. But I just wanted to show you this place."

She looked around and didn't see anything. "Show me what place? The dark? For this I could have stayed home and not pay my light bill."

He smiled at her again, "Exactly. During my weekends I walk dogs and do community service. I figure if I started since Freshman year, I could get a really good recommendation from them by senior year. So I make them a garden every time the spring comes around."

"But it's fall," Cristina said.

"I know. But I'm so good at gardening, I maintain things. So I called them today and asked them to do me a favor."

"What favor would that be?"

He smiled once again, "What time is it?"

"7:29, why?"

"Perfect," was all he said. And just as he said that, garden lights filled the park. Showing her this wonderful garden filled with Daisies, Lilies, and roses galore. Cristina was astonished by what the garden has looked like, and her face was the exact expression Avery was looking for. There was a walkway that was paved through the garden as if it was a maze.

She placed her hand on her chest and with sincerity she spoke, "Avery, this is amazing."

He got down on one knee, "Cristina, I really like you," he grabbed her hand. She seemed shock by all of this, but scared at the most. She feared he was proposing. He continued, "& I know you don't like me was much as I do, but all I'm asking for is a chance. Just one chance. Not to be together as a couple. But together as in friendship. So you can get to know know me... the real me. The me that you would love if you gave me the chance. So will you give me a chance?"

She was quiet. She didn't know how to respond to this. She seemed dazed and confused. She maybe thought that she could get to know him and like him like he had, but she didn't know. In her heart, it said to give him a chance so she followed what her heart had said.

She inhaled slowly & exhaled just the same, "Look," she started, "Im a cold female. & I can't promise you any guarantee's, I'm not even so sure that you should even be near me because I swore to God you were going to cut my body up and throw me in the river. All I can promise you is one thing. I can be your friend, and only your friend. & if this goes well and you're not dead come spring time, then maybe things can change. I can promise that much. Are you okay with this?"

He smiled once again, "Yes! Im okay with this, Im so okay with this!"

She smirked, "Okay, good. Now stop smiling like a little girl and let's go. We have to show some support."

They walked to their way to Bistro's "I want to be a surgeon y'know," Avery said, as he began talking about his dream life.

Meredith stared at the name of the restaurant. Numb... nervous. Her heart raced, and her stomach fluttered. Alex stared at her with a warm supporting look on his face. She chewed the inside of her bottom lip, just like her sister had earlier that night.

When she was younger she used to dream of prince charming. She used to believe that he had blue eyes and knew how to ride a horse. As she got older, her image of prince charming slowly faded away, along with her dreams and aspirations, they were buried. Meeting Derek made her feel... something along the lines of prince charming. She knew herself, and she knew that she wouldn't be ready. "Karev," She said with a tone of being insecure.

"Yeah?"

She looked down and arched her eyebrows, "I can't do this...I just can't do any of this." She turned to walk away but only stopped by the firm hold he had on her left wrist. She looked into his eyes and he stared back. "Look," he started, "You have this. We're right in front of the restaurant. All you have to do is walk in. He will like you for who you are, the real you. You know why?"

She pouted, "Why?"

"Because you are awesome." She smiled and sighed. He responded with a smile, as well as a soft punch on her arm, playfully. C'mon, now say it."

"...I'm awesome..."

"No! With Pizazz," he said with a french aceent and spirit fingers.

"I'm Awesome," she said louder and more firm.

"Now that's the spirit!"

"You really think I could do this?"

"Nah, I'm just trying to get home so I could watch the game," he replied sarcastically. She hugged him tightly. He gestured to her to walk in front of him. Meredith gathered herself together. "This is it," she said to herself, "no looking back..."

Meredith walked inside & Alex followed right after. She gave her coat to him so he could check them in. She walked further into the restaurant and looked up at the beautifully crystallized chandeliers. The place seemed so empty that she thought that it could be paid off for the night. She wondered if this man had that type of money. Alex returned, interrupting her thought, with a glass of water for both of them.

"This place is trash," he said while looking around with a cold look on his face.

"Shut up," Meredith replied almost running him over verbally.

"Yeah, well... Like I said. It's trash." He took a sip. "So where's this German Sheppard you keep talking about?"

"His name is Derek. Derek Sheppard, and he's not a dog." From behind a large over sized plant, came Derek. Her mind melted into thin air. Alex stared at her, trying to comprehend the words that were coming out of her mouth. They sounded... inhuman. They were a mix of teen girl and pig squeals. He nudged her arm which made her snap back to reality & apparently English as well. "He's coming over," she finally said.

He continued to stare at Meredith wondering if he should run away or send her to a mental institution. But his head turned. He stared at the manly physique that Derek Sheppard possessed. He was everything Alex wanted to be when he got older. "That's him," Karev said insecurely. He caught the way that he sounded and straightened up. "Man, If I wasn't straight," he joked.

Meredith elbowed him in the ribs almost immediately. he grunted in pain. "Don't embarrass me," she sang through her teeth.

Derek finally made his way through and smiled. "Meredith. I'm glad you made it."

She smiled at him, "So am I. This is my friend Alex Karev."

"You're friend," he said. He sighed in relief.

"Yeah, don't get too happy bud," Karev said sarcastically as he stuck out his hand & Derek shook it.

He turned to Meredith, "So he's the only friend you brought tonight?"

"No," she said meekly, "there are a few more coming through the night. So if you see anyone you don't know, don't kick them out."

They both had laughed uncomfortably and as that died down, Karev laughed sarcastically. "If you'll excuse me," Karev said, "I'm gonna go drain the lizard." Meredith pierced his soul with her eyes and he planted a fake smile on his face before walking away.

Derek watched him leave and then looked at Meredith, "He really has no filter, does he?"

She smiled coyly, "No. I wish he did, but he doesn't."

It became silent, but the energy stayed the same. "... I'm really glad you came.. Honest."

"I'm glad I came too," she responded sincerely.

The area buzzed with Italian music, and clinking of plates and utensils. They stared at each other. Nothing more. Nothing less. Derek has had many relationships, but he has never felt a strong connection as he does with her. He gestured behind him, "Would you want to go somewhere more quiet to talk?"

She nodded once, "I would love that."

Meanwhile, Avery opened the door for Christina and they both enter. She shrugs her shoulders to carry the over sized coat she was wearing thanks to Avery. He taps her shoulder and she gives it to him and he checks it in. She imitates Meredith by staring at the ceiling and takes in how beautiful the place looks.

"Look who I found," Avery says with his hand on Alex's shoulder. Alex looks at Avery from the corner of his eye and shrugs his hand off of him.

"What were you doing over there," she asks.

"He was flirting with the Coat Checker Girl."

"Really Karev? Don't you have like strong emotional Problems for Izzie?"

He rolls his eyes.

"Well, if you're here that means Meredith's here," she continues, "so where is she?"

"Well if you must know. That German Sheppard guy came by. I went to use the bathroom & then she disappeared."

Cristina scoffed. "She begs me to come to this place and then first chance she gets, she goes and disappeared. She's so slutty." She sits down at an empty table, and pouts as she crossed her arms. The boys follow after.

Alex's leg jumps, nervously. Trying not to sound eager he asks, "So Izzie's not coming?"

"I doubt it," she responds carelessly. Alex scratches his brow and still tries to maintain composure. He stares at Cristina trying to read her mind. She reaches for a bread stick and as she does, she notices his eyes wont go away. "Why are you staring at me like that," she asks annoyed.

"You know damn well why, Cristina. They're sleeping together & you know it!"

She chuckles, "I dont know what they do in their spare time, Karev. But if I did know, they still deserve each other."

He twitches. He tries to surpress his anger, "Excuse me."

Avery's face spells out confused. He moves his head slowly to the left and cuts in, "Wait. You like Izzie?"

She scoffs, "More like head over heels in love. They've been in the same schools since kindergarten. He's been the complete creeper with Izzie. Izzie's been to two Elementary schools. Guess how many Karev's been to? She's gone to Three Middle Schools. Guess how many he's been to? & Only one high school. I wonder why?"

Karev stood up and threw his napkin on the table, "Alright fine, make fun of me. I love her! Yeah, so what! And you can call me a creeper all you want, but you know what," he asked as he leaned in and spoke softer, "I'm a creeper who can have the guts to approach someone. I don't wait three years like hombre sitting next you did. But guess what," he said sarcastically, "There's another Creeper joining the party! Because that dude over there," he points to a man with red hair, "has been creeping all night. But he's not just any creeper. He's a Cristina Creeper," he laughs uncontrollably, "Looks like you have competition buddy!" He chuckled as he walked out of the restaurant. Avery looked back to see this man & he was more scared than he led on. This man was attractive and older. He could take Cristina without trying. He knew that.

There was a breeze outside. Meredith enjoyed the feeling of the wind caressing her face. The restaurant's back-view was of the ocean. She closed her eyes and listened carefully to the sound of the breezes. Derek stared at her, amused. He tried to grab her hand but she moved away at the feeling of his touch. His lips pursed as he looked down, "You don't trust me."

"It's not that I don't trust you," she paused and thought of how to express her feelings without being so headstrong , "I just don't know you that well."

"You probably think I'm an older man who like's younger girls, I get it."

"No it's not like that -"

"No it's okay, I understand. I would be angry if you didn't have these emotions. I just want you to know," he gazed into her eyes that sent a shock through her body, "You're the only one I would do that for. & I don't want you to think that you're not special. Because you are."

She looked down trying to compose herself, "Well," she began and looked at him, "I'm here aren't I?"

He smiled. Her phone makes a buzzing sound. She looked at her lap and let go of his hands to check her phone. "What is it," he asked as he tried to look at her lap as well.

She looked up at him, "It's my sister. There's a problem."

Stumbling around the corner of the Bistro, came Lexie and April. Lexie tried with her own might to carry April to the restaurant.

Meredith ran from the outside into the restaurant. Behind her was Derek. "Do you need help," he asked. She smiled and gracefully replied "No. My sister probably had a hair malfunction. Probably nothing big." She glanced with to his friends as they seemed to be talking about her. So she continued, "Go hang out with your friends. They look lonely." He smiled and she did in return.

Suddenly the restaurant doors bust open. The front desk of the restaurant smelled like perfume and hard liquor. "DID YOU EVER KNOW THAT YOU'RE MY HERO," April sang as the smell of liquor covered the room. Meredith & Cristina ran to Lexie & as they did Derek's friends walked to him.

"Is she drunk," Meredith exclaimed.

Lexie sighed & moaned as she , "Yes... Yes she is."

"Why is she even here," Cristina yelled.

"She was nervous because of... You know who. She said that she wanted a small drink, but instead she drank the whole bottle. Next thing you know she wants to come to the party naked and I'm like 'No you can't come naked ,that's slutty' and then she goes 'your slutty,' and then I said 'no I'm not, you are' and then-"

"Lexie! Calm down! Your rambling," Meredith says aggravated trying to calm her down.

She sighs, "Sorry!"

While they are trying to figure out what has happened, Mark and Owen are at the bar with drinks in their hand trying to figure out who they are.

"Whose the brunette," Mark asked.

Derek quickly turned his head, "Which brunette?"

"Not your future wife... the rambling one. "

"I don't know. But she's a Grey."

"Hmph," Mark said. He takes a sip of his drink while he stares at Lexie. He finally breaks out of her beauty spell and blinks until he could get his vision back. He looks at Owen, who has been staring as well. Mark looks to his far left to realize who Owen is staring at. He waves his hands in his face and nothing happens. He snaps his fingers almost an inch away from Owens face until he finally came out of it.

"What," he says aggravated, coming back to reality.

"you were... daydreaming," Mark says sarcastically.

"...I wouldn't say it was daydreaming." He continues to stare at Cristina. All this time, he's been staring at her trying to figure out who she was. He asked mark, " Who is that girl?"

Mark shrugs his shoulders and decides to ask Derek, "Hey, whose the Asian girl?"

"Meredith's best friend – am I an Information Desk tonight?"

Mark and Owen stare at the ones they attracted to simultaneously say "hmph"

"I can't believe you Lexie," Meredith screamed, "You should have knocked her out and taken her home."

"Knock her out – are you serious! Do you hear yourself?"

As they continue to argue April sways with a smile on her face, but soon the smile washes away as she hears her stomach gurgle. " You guys," she says.

They ignore her.

She attempts to get their attention again with a louder tone, "You guys?"

They don't listen again.

"You...gu –" she tries to speak again but she faints onto the floor, unconscious. . Meredith, Cristina & Lexie scream. Cristina gets on her knees to hear April's heart beat. Owen notices.

Owen throws his hands up in the air and screams. An idea comes to his mind. All three girls, plus Derek and Mark look at him. "She fell on the ground & she's intoxicated! Everyone get away stand back! I'm a professional."

Cristina scoffs, "A doctor?"

"Yes," he said, "A doctor in training."

Derek says, "You're not a doctor, you – " Mark elbows him in the stomach almost instantly.

"Why did you do that," he whispered.

Mark whispered back "He obviously has a plan.

Owen picks up April and puts her over his shoulder, "It's probably poisonous." Everyone covers their mouths. "Come with me," he says to Cristina.

"But it's poisonous," she mumbles through her hand.

"But not for you."

"Why only me?"

Mark bursts out, "Because your Asian!"

Owen looks at Mark and sarcastically says "Thanks..."

Mark gives him a thumbs up. Ignoring that, Owen grabs Cristina by the wrist and yells "Oh no! We must go now! It's worst than I thought!."

They run out of the restaurant and Meredith looks at Lexie, "What the hell is going on today?" She looks at the boys, they immediately shrug their shoulders. Worried, Avery asks, "Should I go with them?"

"No," Mark almost yells, "You need to keep your friend..."

Lexie turns around and sees Mark for the first time. The corners of her mouth raise, "Lexie."

"Right," he smiles back, "Lexie company. Don't leave her alone."

Meredith pinches the bridge of her nose and exhales deeply. Derek walks to her and smiles, "Everything is going to be okay, just trust me."

Meredith put on a fake smile but deep down she knew... these people were crazy... & they were only going to get even more crazy. Maybe she should have came alone in the first place.