The Write Match // Bill Hader

Three

Weeks go by, carrying on the same as every week before. John and Bill are still nagging me about having more fun, and I'm still ignoring them, spending my time in my office and apartment. I go out when I want to, and I've avoided Bill as much as possible. He's nice, but I can't tell what his true intentions are.

Everyone in the office looks up to him, even though he's just a normal guy. I've become closer with Seth, Fred, and Kristen too, they always keep me company on writing days and it's great getting to know them. It's easier to write for them if you know them. We're on show five, Josh Brolin is hosting tonight.

I stand backstage with John; Bill comes out of his dressing room in his wardrobe.

"Who helped pick out your wardrobe? Someone did really well." I say, knowing I was the one who picked it.

"Come out with us tonight." Bill says, sounding like he's not really giving me a choice but considering I've told him no for weeks, I know I still have that choice.

"No, thank you, I'll-"
"Go home and drink wine." He says, finishing my sentence and I glare at him.

"It's just going to be me, John, Kristen, Seth, and Fred tonight. We're just letting loose. Tomorrow is our day off, so we can have as much fun as we want. You'll have a friend there and you don't even have to drink." He says.

"No, don't take it personal, Bill." I walk away from him, a small smirk on his lips.

"You're killing me, Meredith." He yells.

"Aww... I'm so sorry." I tease and turn back around, knowing he would be smirking if I looked at him. I start to head to my seat and run into Kristen and she gives me a smile.

"Meredith, I'm so glad I ran into you. We're all planning to go out tonight since tomorrow is our day off. Seth and Fred are going. You should totally come, it'll be fun." She tells me and I start to say no, but she doesn't let me speak. "I don't think so. I see you turn John and Bill down every week, but I'm not them, you're going to come with me and we're going to have fun, no objections." She says.

"But I-" I start, but she shushes me.

"I don't want to hear another word from you. You're coming and that's final. I contemplate telling John that I'm not feeling well and going home but then I think about it. I've always said no because I know what I'm like when I'm drunk. I also know that if I'm drunk, Bill will try to learn something about me, but since I'm going with Kristen there's not a problem, and it could be fun. It's one night out, what could possibly happen?

The show is over now, and John and I are still in our seats waiting for everyone to get changed. We pile into a van, going to a bar a few blocks away from the studio. I get out first, walking straight for the bouncer, flashing my ID and getting in right away. There are people dancing and having a great time, but this is completely different than the few bars I've been to. This place is more intimate, more sensual.

"This is perfect." I hear Seth say as he picks a table.

"I'm surprised to see you here tonight, Meredith." Fred says.

"I would be lying if I said I didn't consider making up some excuse to go home. I never go out and I'm going to have fun, even if it's just for the night." I say, shrugging my shoulders.

"Well, let's get you a drink then." Kristen says, pulling me to the bar. She hands me a drink, it's something that tastes nothing like alcohol, but I know it's full of it. I happily drink it and stand with Kristen.

"Have to talked to Bill?" She asks and I shake my head.

"No, except for when I declined his offer to come tonight. The only time I talk to him is when we're writing or doing rehearsal." I tell her truthfully. It's my fault we don't talk a lot, but I'm not going to let him in. "Why do you ask?" I ask her, and she takes a sip of her drink.