The Write Match // Bill Hader

Fourteen

I left after the sketch was finished, and I walked to his apartment. I knew exactly where I was going, I've walked this route dozens of times. I get my keys out of my bag, finding the new gold key on my ring. I open the main door, walking up the stairs to his apartment.

I put my things down, and I know I don't have any of my clothes with me, well besides the ones I have on. Depending on the way tonight goes, I may just have to take another one of Bill's shirts, but I don't know how this will work out, it's all up to him now. I take a seat on his couch and wait for him.

The door opens about an hour later, and Bill walks in, he eyes me as I sit on his couch as he puts his things down on his counter.

"Hi." He says shyly.

"Hey." I say and he rolls his eyes, coming to me on the couch. "How did the show finish up?" I ask, and he nods softly.

"Good, I don't know why you didn't stay for the whole show though." He says, sitting down, propping his head up on his hand as he looks at me.

"I just wanted to see my sketch-" I start, and he stops me.

"Wait, you didn't want to see me?" He asks, putting his hand on his chest in offense.

"No." I say flatly and shrug.

"Okay, let's talk about why we're here." He starts the dreaded conversation and I make myself comfortable.

"I'll talk first, please don't interrupt." I tell him and he smiles.

"Go ahead, Elliot." He agrees and I sigh.

"So, about a year after Adam died, I started hooking up with random guys. The first one I hooked up with, I think his name was Ross. He was the first guy I had been with since Adam. Then there was Scott, he was boring, I'll never forget him. Then I met Zach, I remember Zach, he was fun. I never saw either one of them again. There was this one time I was with this guy named Will, we were with each other a few times, but it was never anything more than one-night stands. After that I-" I start, trying to get to the point, but Bill interrupts.

"While I love hearing about all of the men you've hooked up with, what are you trying to do?" He asks, and I can hear the jealousy in his voice.

"What's wrong Bill Hader? Jealous?" I ask and he raises his eyebrows.

"I'm not jealous, I just want to know what you're trying to do." He tells me.

"I was getting there before someone rudely interrupted me." I glare at him.

"Sorry, I'm sorry." He waves me on.

"What I'm trying to say is, after my one serious relationship went to shit, I never did anything but hook up, have fun, and never have to see the guy again. I guess what I'm saying is, whatever is going on here is something I haven't done in a long time and it's just hard to let myself go again. I never intended for this to be more than just one night; it was supposed to be just one night. I don't mean that in a bad way, you know what I'm trying to say. I know you think I'm not giving you anything and that I'm just being stubborn, but this isn't something I've done in a long time, so just please give me time to understand." I say motioning between us, and he looks at me the entire time, but I couldn't make myself look at him.

"Meredith, you do realize that you just motioned between us when you said 'this,' which only makes me think-" He starts, and I roll my eyes.

"I don't even know why I tried to explain." I start to stand, and he pulls me backdown.

"I'm sorry, I'll stop. I know what you're saying, and you're right, this was only supposed to be for one night, but it didn't happen that way and I think we both know it's not going to stop anytime soon. I'm not asking for anything from you, but please give me whatever you're willing to give me. There is one thing though, just stay with me, be free and let go, and have fun. No labels, no nothing, just fun, just what you want. I'm not going to stop with my jokes, or the little arguments because I'm a comedian, it's what I do." He tells me and I laugh.