Meredith woke up again this morning with the urge to vomit. She rushed over to the bathroom and threw up. This time, no one came in the doorway. She got herself back up after she was finished and walked back over to her room, and back to bed where she feel asleep once again.
But her sleep was interrupted when she woke up to the 'nauseating' smell of coffee. George was coming up the stairs, cup in hand. The smell jolted her stomach in all directions. She got out of bed and walked out the door. The smell grew greater in the hallway. She moaned to herself.
"Are you throwing up again?" George asked, his voice was curious and cautious.
"Uh-huh."
"Ewww…." He said as he went to his bedroom. She went to the bathroom. She opened the door to find Izzie, in the shower. Meredith walked over to the toilet and sat down in front of it.
"Not feelin' good, Mer?"
"Nooooo."
"Awww. I heard the flu was going around the hospital."
Meredith barely interrupted Izzie by vomiting. She didn't feel like talking. She didn't feel like throwing up. She felt like destroying the coffee machine for the smell of the beans slowly condensing into liquid beverage. She normally would welcome the smell of coffee, but this morning, she felt like it was taking over her stomach.
"Mer, I think you should see a doctor." Izzie said, her voice concerned and demanding. Meredith looked over at the almost clear glass to the shower. She saw the distorted image of Izzie, running her hands through her hair.
"I told you, I'm fine." Meredith said slowly, making sure Izzie understood each word.
"Really,? Is that why you've been throwing up and avoiding coffee?"
Meredith didn't answer. She flushed the toilet and sat her head against the wall. She moaned to herself, hoping Izzie wouldn't hear.
George knocked on the door. "Are you guys almost done in there?" he said anxiously.
"Almost…" Izzie said. She turned off the showerhead. A silent moment was held, hearing only Meredith's deep breath. Steam rolled out of the top of the shower. Meredith decided it was time to go out of the bathroom because she honestly didn't want to see Izzie's nude body. She stood up, wobbled a little bit, and slowly walked out the bathroom. She saw George by the door.
"She's just getting out of the shower."
George sighed. Times like this he was impatient and wished the house had a second bathroom. Or less women.
When they were all ready, with their bags and jackets on, Izzie poured herself one last cup of coffee.
"Izz, please don't bring that in the car." Meredith whined. The smell to her was absolutely mortifying to Meredith. It really was a big deal. How else was she supposed to stay awake this morning?
"Oh, fine. Izzie chugged the remaining coffee in the travel mug and smiled.
"C'mon people! Let's move!" Bailey yelled down the lockers. Alex was in his locker, and looked at Meredith.
"You don't look so good," he said as he fumbled with his scrubs.
"I don't feel so good."
"Morning, Karen. How are you feeling?" Izzie asked the mother of triplets.
"Okay, I guess."
"That's good. Has Dr. Montgomery-Shepherd talked to you about the babies yet?"
"Yes. She said that they're going to have to run a few more tests and we'll go from there."
"Okay… Well, everything looks good. I'll check in with Dr. Shepherd."
Izzie smiled and walked out of the room, when deep down, she realized that she really wanted that coffee.
Today Meredith was stuck in the pit. She really hated the pit. The only ever time she liked it was when someone had bicycle spokes poked in the side of someone or two people stuck together with a pole between them. She walked over randomly to a couple in the second curtain. She looked at the woman, who was lying down on the bed. Her eyes were filled with anger, her husband looked guilty.
"So, what've we got here?" Meredith asked, although she could've figured it out on her own, she just enjoyed hearing people's stories that were often funny or just plain stupidity.
"My stupid husband of mine was making supper last night and cut off his finger!" the women said, starring at her husband.
"It's not cut off! It's still there!" the husband lifted up his hand that was wrapped in bloody gauze.
Meredith squinted. This made her stomach bobble. She grabbed the trashcan beside the hospital bed, took a few steps and vomited. She cursed. Why had this been happening?!
"Are you okay?" the wife asked, her eyes directly on Meredith. Meredith wiped her mouth on her sleeve.
"Okay… Where was I?" she asked, and continued to examine the hand.
"Meredith!" Derek yelled when he saw her walking down the hallway. Meredith trudged faster, aiming for the elevator. "Meredith!" he ran after her, hoping to catch up.
She stepped into the elevator. As the doors began to close, almost a foot apart, Derek's hand intercepted causing the silver shiny doors to spread in opposite directions.
"Meredith," he whispered when the doors closed and the elevator dinged. "We have to talk."
"Stop it. Just. Stop talking to me." Meredith answered, and she stared up at the meter showing what floor they were on. 3. 4. 5. Derek swallowed hard. Meredith could her his breath shaking, as if he was crying without tears.
"Derek. Leave me alone." She quietly said when she arrived at the 7th floor. He stared back at her body as she left, watching it sway and shake, imagining tears falling from her face. He stood in the back corner, and closed the doors. He looked up, a tear finally forming within his eyes.