Today was Meredith's birthday and her birthday celebrations were planned and in motion, not that she knew, Meredith had barely set foot out of her room for the past week because she had been studying and it was Cristina's job to get her out tonight which so far she was having trouble with.

"Cristina no. I have to study." Meredith argued back as Cristina stood at her door trying to get her to get ready for their 'night out'.

"Mer, you've studied everyday for the past two weeks non-stop, one night off isn't going to make you fail." She sighed with frustration.

"I have an exam in 4 days!" Meredith raised her voice slightly.

"So do I but I'm still making time to see my friends. All you do is see Derek and study! Do you remember the last time you went out with us?"

Meredith looked at her sadly, she knew that Cristina was right and she felt bad that she hadn't spent the time with her friends that she used to, but she had to focus on her studies at the same time.

"Mer please. Even if you just stay for an hour, just show your face, please." She sighed.

Meredith watched her closely. Cristina wasn't one to get upset or frustrated but it was clear to Meredith that she was so she decided to give in. She could have a break from studying for a couple of hours, maybe a break would help her concentrate better when she comes back to it.

"Fine. But I'm not staying out all night Cristina, I have way too much to do."

Cristina jumped on the spot a little and clapped her hands as Meredith closed her books, marking the pages she was using. She couldn't wait for Meredith to realise what was happening, she was so glad she had managed to persuade her friend. It was nearly 8pm, and the party plans were for 10pm, although they needed 30 minutes to get there so that left them with an hour and a half to get Meredith ready. Cristina started going through her friends' wardrobe whilst she was in the shower, picking her out an outfit that was perfect for the occasion, she didn't want to go too dressy but definitely not casual so she picked out a golden pair of jeans that were slightly metallic and an off the shoulder black top, pairing with a black heel and bag.

Meredith did her own makeup and curled her blonde hair, looking in the mirror she smiled at herself, she had forgotten how good it felt to get and be ready properly, she had been living in sweats with her hair tied up in a messy bun at the top of her head for the last few weeks. As soon as she was ready, it was time for them to leave, she sprayed her favourite perfume and applied some lipgloss, putting it in her bag once she'd used it. They called a cab and were on their way.

"So where are we even going?" Meredith asked turning to Cristina.

"There's a new bar downtown, it's super cute."

"Why? We never go off campus?" She frowned.

"It's just a change of scenery I guess, we found it a few weeks ago and thought it would be a good place to help take your mind off things. God knows you need it Mer. You're like a zombie these days." Her eyes rolling.

Meredith opened her mouth to argue but decided against it just wanting to enjoy their night. Picking up her phone from her bag she went to her messages which were empty, normally Derek would message her of a morning but it hadn't messaged her all day. She began typing but deleted it quickly and locked her phone with a sigh.

"What's wrong?" She heard Cristina ask.

"Nothing. I'm fine." She lied, she was concerned and annoyed.

"Now I know that something's wrong so what is it?"

She stayed silent for a few minutes, "have you spoke to Derek?" Meredith blurted out.

Cristina smirked to herself before quickly wiping it from her face, "No, has he not called?"

"No, he texts everyday.. except today." She frowned.

"What's so different about today? Maybe he's just busy." Cristina played.

Meredith stayed silent, she hated her birthday and she always had, she shook her head slightly for thinking that this year would be any different, she didn't even tell Derek that her birthday was coming up so why was she disappointed that he didn't know.

"We're here." Cristina said as the cab pulled up at a busy street.

Sighing Meredith got out of the car, giving the other half of the money Cristina had gave the driver, she grabbed her things and got out meeting Cristina on the pavement. They walked towards the bar together, Cristina leading the way.

As soon as she stepped through the door her heart nearly jumped out from her chest as the lights and music came on suddenly and loudly, the room filled with all her closest friends, including Derek who was at the front.

"Surpise!!"

Meredith stood there, her breath taken from her as she looked around at all her friends smiling and laughing at her reaction.

"Happy Birthday Mer." Cristina winked as she hugged her friend.

"I- you." She stuttered

"You didn't think I'd forget your birthday did you?" She laughed as she handed Meredith a glass of champagne.

She caught eyes with Derek who was approaching them both, Meredith watched him as he smiled and tilted his head.

"Happy birthday you." He hugged her tightly, kissing the side of her head. She wrapped her arms around him.

"I can't believe this." She giggled into his chest.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me it was your birthday!" He joked.

"I hate my birthday, I never tell anyone."

"I know. I'm just glad Cristina did, you have great friends you know, she planned the entire thing." He smiled looking at Cristina and then back to Meredith.

Cristina rolled her eyes as Meredith and Derek laughed at her.

"She was pissed that you didn't call." Cristina smirked before walking away.

"I'm sorry I didn't call, I was under strict orders not too." He laughed, kissing her lightly again.

Meredith made her way around everyone there and thanked them for making her birthday so special. The entire night she spent drinking and having some much needed fun, she had missed her friends so much, it was fun to see Derek having fun too as he stood with his owns friends who were there.

Her friend Josie had the idea to do bottle shots and of course no one objected to it and since Meredith was the birthday girl she was picked on to do the most. It didn't take long before she was totally wasted and stumbling around, her heels in the booth that Derek and his friends were sat in.

"Woah there." Mark caught her as she stumbled.

"You." She pointed in his face.

"Yes." He smirked.

"Where is Derk... Derek." She corrected herself making Mark laugh.

"Hmm I don't know. Maybe he left?" He joked.

"He left?! What a jerk!" She shouted, losing her balance.

Derek saw her falling and made his way over quickly from the bar.

"Hey, hey. Are you okay?" He asked, gently grabbing her from Mark and holding her up.

"You left." She frowned.

"I was at the bar." He pointed to his friends who were still there.

"Sorry Mer, happy birthday." Mark laughed before joining his friends where Derek had left them.

Derek sat Meredith across his lap, her head lying on his shoulder.

"I think someone is super drunk." He whispered to her, playing with a loose curl.

"Who?" She whispered back making him smile.

"You."

"I'm not!" She gasped, blinking repeatedly.

"Uh huh." He nodded, she laughed into his chest before they shared a kiss.

"A birthday kiss." Meredith mumbled against him.

"A birthday kiss." He agreed.

They were cut short by Meredith jumping up as she heard 'red' by Taylor Swift playing.

"I love this song!!!!" She ran, grabbing Derek's hand as she forced him to dance with her.

Although Meredith said she wasn't staying out late, she danced all night and didn't go home until past 3am when Derek decided that she was way too drunk to drink anymore, he called them a cab and carried her into it. Meredith spent a good 15 minutes saying thank you to Cristina who was just way too drunk to even listen to her.

"This is the best birthday ever." Meredith whispered to Derek as she laid her head on his shoulder in the back of the cab. He kissed the side of her head in response.