Chapter 13

Meredith walked into the Anatomy lab behind Sadie, and took a deep breath. Apparently, she wasn't the only one who thought it was a good idea to come to class early. Almost all of the tables were occupied, so she wouldn't be able to be lab partners with Sadie. She scanned the room, seeing only two empty seats, one in the second row and one in the last row. Now, Meredith figured that med school, especially at a school like Columbia, would be very different than classes in high school and college, but she still didn't want to sit in the back, because based on previous experience, the kids that didn't care sat in the back. So she moved to the table in the second row, smiling quickly at her partner, a boy with light brown hair and brown eyes.

"Hey," the guy next to her said, causing Meredith to look up at him. "Were you in biochemistry with Dr. James earlier today?"

"Hi, yeah I was," Meredith answered.

"Good, it means I'm not the only first year in here."

"Nope, we can be tortured together," Meredith laughed as she pulled her textbook and notebook out of her backpack.

"I'm Steve," the boy said, sticking out his hand.

"Meredith," she answered, shaking his hand. He held on to her a hand a little too long before giving her hand a squeeze. Meredith immediately let go of him, confused.

At that moment, Doctor Barker walked into the classroom. Since it was their first day, they didn't actually have to do a lab, but the professor went over the syllabus, what they would be doing in class for the semester, the lab protocols, appropriate clothing, and various other things. They were out of lab an hour earlier than Meredith expected, which made her very excited because she could spend more time with Derek. She texted Derek quickly to let him know that she would be at the hospital in a half hour.

"Hey, Meredith!" She heard a voice call from behind her. She turned around to see Steve heading towards her as she exited the building.

"Hey Steve," Meredith said, waiting for him to catch up with her.

"Do you have any more classes today?" Steve asked when he finally caught up with her.

"Nope, I'm all done for the day," Meredith replied as she continued walking.

"Me too. Do you maybe want to go get something to eat?" Steve asked eagerly.

"I can't, I have to work at one thirty," Meredith said absentmindedly; Derek had just texted her back.

"Really, where do you work?"

"NYU Medical Center. I got my LNA license when I was a sophomore in college. It kind of sucks being a nurse, but it pays well and I'm making great connections when I apply to different hospitals," Meredith laughed a little at the end. She had finished reading Derek's text, and it was very dirty.

"That's a great idea," Steve continued, clearly trying to get Meredith's attention. "But that's too bad you can't go to lunch. Maybe I can take you out for a drink sometime."

Meredith stopped dead in her tracks; this was not happening she thought. "As friends, or like as a date?" Meredith asked slowly, not really sure she wanted to know the answer.

"Well, I was hoping it would be a date," Steve looked at her.

Meredith shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, that can't happen. I'm engaged, so it wouldn't be a good idea."

"Oh," Steve took a step back, clearly surprised. "I didn't know. You aren't wearing a ring."

"Yeah, because I'm going straight to the hospital, and I can't wear jewelry."

"Oh right, sorry," Steve said, though he looked like he didn't believe her. "Your fiancé is a lucky guy."

Meredith smiled when she thought of Derek. "Actually, I think I'm the lucky one. Look, I don't want this to be awkward; do you think we can be friends or something, or at least civil lab partners?"

"Yeah," Steve agreed. "We can be friends. And I'll still buy you a drink."

"Okay," Meredith smiled. "See you later Steve."

"Bye Meredith," Steve called, staring at her as she walked away, jealous of her so called fiancé.

XXXXXX

A half an hour later, Meredith entered the hospital, still wondering what to do about Steve and Derek. She couldn't figure out whether or not she should tell Derek that Steve asked her out. There were several reasons why she shouldn't tell him, one being that he would get ridiculously jealous. Whenever the two of them went to a party together, whether at her school or at his friends' apartments, he clung to her, wanting everyone to know that she was his. If she were to tell him, his first reaction would be to go to Columbia, find Steve, and beat the crap out of him. Either that or she would be subjected to one of Derek's lectures as to why she should wear her engagement ring all of the time. However, when she thought about it, she had to tell Derek. If it were the other way around, if someone had asked Derek out, she would want to know. Not because she didn't trust him, but because they were supposed to tell each other everything. That's what couples do, they don't keep secrets. So, she had to tell him.

"Hey," Derek said, appearing from behind her. "What's going on? You seem out of it."

"Hi," Meredith said, kissing Derek on the cheek. "I'm fine; I'll tell you about it at lunch. Let me go change and I'll meet you in the cafeteria."

"Okay, I'll buy you lunch," Derek said as Meredith turned around, waving absentmindedly to him. She changed in a bathroom quickly and made her way to the cafeteria. Derek was sitting at a corner table with two salads and water bottles, waving to her as she headed towards him.

"So," Derek started. "How was your day? How were classes?"

"Um, they were pretty good," Meredith answered. She debated whether she should bring up the Steve thing casually, or whether she should build it up by telling him not to freak out before mentioning it to him.

She decided on the former. "My lab partner hit on me today," she said in a teasing voice and smiling lightly. Derek's face, which had been concentrating on his salad, shot up, his brow furrowed.

"What did you just say?" Derek said, a hint of anger in his voice.

"Derek, relax," Meredith said, rubbing her thumb over his hand. "It wasn't a big deal."

"Of course it is!" Derek snapped. "You don't just bring it up like its small talk. Some guy was flirting with you, and you bring it up like we're talking about the weather!"

"Derek, calm down," Meredith pleaded, grabbing both of his hands and looking him straight in the eye. "He wasn't flirting that much during class. Or maybe he was and I didn't realize it. But after class, he asked if I wanted to go get lunch, and I thought he was just being friendly. But then he asked me to get a drink with him sometime, and I made sure to tell him that I'm engaged. I promise I told him that I was engaged, and I didn't even realize it if he was hitting on me, because he isn't you, and therefore I don't care. Please don't be mad at me."

Derek looked at her for a moment, and then squeezed her hands. "I'm not mad at you," he said, offering her a small smile. "I just don't like the idea of someone else flirting with you."

"If he was, he wasn't doing a very good job," Meredith joked. "I honestly didn't even realize he was asking me out when he wanted to go to lunch. I had to explicitly ask if he meant as a date. That should make you feel better."

"It does, a little," Derek chuckled. "I trust you Mer."

"Good," Meredith nodded, releasing his hands and taking a bite of her salad.

"But," Derek said, looking at her seriously. "I expect you to wear your ring at all times in class, no exceptions."

"No exceptions," Meredith promised. "I'll keep it in your locker when I'm at work, in case I have to come straight here from class."

Derek simply nodded, leaning forward to kiss her cheek as they continued to eat their lunch.