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Chapter 3

"Derek's being weird," Meredith stated as she dropped onto the couch in the apartment she, Izzie, and Cristina shared on campus. Izzie was in the kitchen cooking dinner, and Cristina was studying for her last exam in the sitting area.

"What do you mean Derek's being weird?" Izzie called from the kitchen.

"I don't know," Meredith sighed as Izzie stepped into the living room. "He's just been funny the past two weeks. He's been all avoidy and stuff. Well, not really avoiding, I mean, I told him I needed space to study for finals, and he still calls every day and stuff, and I see him every couple days. But still, he's being weird."

"Did you tell him that you finished your finals a few days ago?" Izzie asked. "Maybe he still thinks you need to study."

"Of course he knows I'm done, I called him the minute I finished," Meredith said. "Plus, I graduate next week. He's been to college; he knows they don't give finals up until the day you graduate."

"Maybe he's cheating on you," Cristina said, not even looking up from her notes.

"Cristina!" Izzie exclaimed, hitting her with a pillow. Turning back to Meredith, Izzie said "I'm sure he's not cheating on you."

"Derek is not cheating on me," Meredith said firmly. "He asked me to move in with him two weeks ago, remember?"

"Maybe it was a cover," Cristina shrugged, earning another slap from Izzie.

"Seriously Cristina, are you trying to make me mad?" Meredith snapped.

"No," Cristina said, finally looking up at Meredith. "I was kidding! You know Derek loves you, he would never do that to you. He knows better. I would kill him."

Meredith laughed a little. "I know, but I still want to know what's wrong with him. He just shrugs it off or changes the subject whenever I ask."

"Maybe he's just nervous about you moving in with him and Mark. You know, you'll be changing their whole dynamic," Izzie offered.

"Maybe, but he shouldn't be nervous, I mean, he practically had me moved in before he even really asked me, so he shouldn't be nervous," Meredith responded.

"Isn't he turning thirty soon? Maybe that combined with the fact that you're just graduating from college has him having a semi midlife crisis or something," Cristina mused.

"He's not turning thirty until July, that's not for another two months. And he never worries about the eight year age difference, that's only me. He doesn't care; Derek likes to go on these rants about how age doesn't matter in love and all that romantic crap."

"You never know, some people change when they reach the big three oh," Cristina joked.

"Not funny," Meredith shot back. "Seriously, you are zero help."

"Maybe you could ask Addison what's wrong. Or Mark. They see Derek almost as much as you do, so they might know something. Though Addison would be more forthcoming than Mark I think," Izzie mused.

"Yeah, I could ask Addison…" Meredith's voice trailed off. "God, what am I going to do without you guys when you leave?"

"Go insane," Cristina replied. "Or talk to Addison."

"We're not dying," Izzie said. "You can still come to us."

"Excuse me, Cristina's going to be at Stanford, and you are going to be at the University of Washington. I'll only be able to call you, and even then, I can't always call you when I need you because of the freaking three hour time difference!"

"Meredith, calm down. Stop freaking out," Izzie began.

"I am not freaking out!" Meredith snapped.

"Yes you are," Cristina countered. "You can call us any time, day or night. I don't know why that's such a big deal to you now, you haven't cared at all the past four years. How many times did you storm into the room at three in the morning ranting about Derek because he did something stupid? You never cared what time it was then, so you shouldn't care when we're three thousand miles away."

"Hmm," Meredith agreed. "Anyway, as Cristina so kindly mentioned earlier, Derek's birthday is coming up. I have to plan something right? Because it isn't just a regular birthday, this is a big deal because he's turning thirty, right?"

"Right," Izzie agreed.

"Okay, so what do I do? Are you guys even going to be able to come if I have it in July?"

"I'm going to be at home for the summer until I move out to California," Cristina said. "And Izzie was going to stay with me for a little while to save me from my mother. We should both be able to come down for a weekend or something if you want more people at McDreamy's party."

"Oh thank God," Meredith sighed. "But it's not about having more people at Derek's party; his family will be more than enough. You guys are Derek's friends too you know."

"Aww, that's sweet," Izzie said while Cristina gagged.

"We are not friends," Cristina clarified. "You are my person, and he is your boyfriend or love of your life or whatever, so I have to tolerate and like him for your sake, but Derek and I are not friends."

"Seriously Cristina? After almost four years, you still don't like him?" Meredith asked, very surprised.

"I didn't say that. I like him, we just aren't friends. There is a difference," Cristina stated.

"Whatever," Meredith said, rolling her eyes. "But seriously, how do I plan a party?"

"Oh, let me help!" Izzie practically shouted. "I love parties."

"We know," Meredith and Cristina said in unison.

"Well, we should start with the basics. What kind of party is it?"

"A birthday party," Meredith said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Shut up Mer. I mean, is it just going to be his friends, or is his family coming too?" Izzie asked.

"His family will definitely be coming," Meredith replied.

"Okay, well then you should probably rent out a function room at his favorite restaurant. It would be nice. And maybe they'll let us decorate, and we should talk about what type of cake he wants, and-"

"Izzie," Cristina said suddenly. "I hate to interrupt this planning thing, but I have two things to say. First, the party isn't for two months, you have plenty of time to plan. Second of all, I think whatever you're cooking for dinner is burning."

"Oh crap!" Izzie shouted as she got up and ran for the kitchen, Meredith and Cristina laughing after her.

"Alright, I'm off to take my last final," Cristina said, standing up. Looking at Meredith, her face became serious. "I'm sure there isn't anything wrong with Derek; he's probably just stressed. And I don't think he would ever really cheat on you."

"Thanks Cristina," Meredith smiled slightly. "Good luck on your exam."

"I don't need luck, I'm brilliant and I've got it in the bag," Cristina smirked as she walked out the door, Meredith shaking her head at her retreating back.