Title: It's a Big Girl World
Author: MissMouseMD
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: Don't own it.
A/N: Review, please!
Break
(Age Sixteen)
It started with a class discussion.
They were talking about love.
And its different meanings.
Romantic love.
Platonic love.
Familial love.
And it all of a sudden occurred to her that no one loved her.
No one.
And then the tears were threatening to come.
So she asked to go to the nurse.
Claimed a headache.
She walks outside the school.
Sits with her back against the brick wall.
And begins to cry.
She can't stop.
She hasn't cried since she was eleven years old.
And all of a sudden, the dam has burst.
…
She's there for a while.
She hears a voice.
"Are you okay?"
She nods.
If she tries to say anything coherent, she'll only embarrass herself.
She looks up.
It's a guy.
A cute guy.
An obviously bookish guy.
And, to her surprise, he sits himself down beside her.
"What's up?"
She's astonished that he cares.
That anyone cares.
She shakes her head.
"It's nothing. I'm just…overreacting."
He raises an eyebrow.
And looks at her.
She rolls her eyes.
"Fine. We were having a discussion in English and I, well, I kind of freaked out."
"Why?"
"It's none of your business."
"Maybe it is."
"No, it isn't. I don't even know you!"
"I know you. Meredith Grey, right? The one who aces every test despite never doing her homework or showing up for class because she's too busy pursuing, well, extracurricular activities?"
She sighs, and leans her head against the wall.
"That's me."
"So what makes Meredith Grey cry?"
"It's hard to explain."
"I'm listening."
It's weird.
She doesn't know him.
She doesn't even know his name.
But she likes talking to him.
He doesn't judge her for what she's done.
And she's done a lot.
She is the class slut, after all.
"We were talking about love."
He stares at her.
"And I got upset."
He's regained his voice.
"Well, that's understandable."
"No. I don't mean like love made me cry. It's more like lack thereof."
He's silent.
"I don't even have any friends, for Christ's sake!"
He shrugs.
"I can be your friend."
"I don't even know your name."
"John. John Wells."
…
And he is her friend.
He doesn't judge her for what she's done.
She likes him.
As in, like likes him.
But when he asks her out, she rejects him.
Because she's too scared of love.
Too scared of getting hurt.
She's spent her whole life getting hurt.
Being broken.
And while she knows John would never break her, the fear is there.
And so she goes back to being alone.
With no one to love her.
A/N: So, what do you think? Review? As a birthday present? Thanks!