The Write Match // Bill Hader

Four

Hours later I'm still in bed, refusing to leave my apartment. John called and asked if I wanted to have lunch with him, but I declined. No one has called since, not even Bill and I'm surprised by that. I never thought he would leave me alone, especially not after what happened last night and how we ended things this morning.

It's Monday again, the first cold spell of the season has hit New York. I bundle myself up, looking pitiful as I head out of my apartment building door. I get to the studio, my bag thrown over my shoulder. Once I walk into my office, John comes in and takes a seat, I tell myself not to act weird or unusual even though my mind is a mess. We have new sketches to work on this week, I have got to get to work. However, writing new sketches means spending more time with the guest host and cast, meaning more time with Bill. Great.

"Are you sure you're alright?" John asks as I open my laptop.

"I'm fine, just not feeling like myself." I tell him, pulling out my journal and pen.

"Meredith Elliot, do not sit here and tell me you're not feeling like yourself. There's just something you're not telling me, but I'll figure it out eventually." He tells me, and I see the look he's giving me.

"I'm okay, I promise. You out of all people should know that I tell you everything. I'm here, I'm okay, there's nothing wrong." I lie to him again, already ready to be home to shut myself away from everyone.

Today passes by slowly, mostly because I've sat in meetings all day. I went to two staff meetings this morning and afternoon, then I had a pitch meeting after lunch. Bill was in every meeting, but he kept his distance. I'm getting ready to leave the studio now, closing my office door and leaving through the main stage.

"Goodness, I thought you were dead. I haven't seen you in two days, not since you disappeared from the bar Saturday night." Kristen says, walking out of the main exit with me.

"I got tired, so I went home." She drops her head and gives me a serious look.

"Do you think I believe you?" She asks.

"I don't know why you wouldn't." I shrug my shoulders, pulling my coat tighter to me. Shit, she knows I tell myself. I'm trying not to be suspicious, but she keeps pushing me.

"Because someone else went missing at the same exact time. The same one who you'll be spending a lot of time with the next few days." She tells me and I can feel her eyes on me.

"Must have been a coincidence, that's odd." I shrug my shoulders and don't turn to her. "Why did you say I would be spending a lot of time with him in the next few days?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, haven't you heard? Lorne assigned you and Bill to a character assignment." She says, throwing her hands up in excitement.

"What the hell-" I begin to say when I hear his voice.

"Meredith, glad to see you outside of a meeting. Can I talk to you for second?" He asks, and I turn to face him. Kristen and Bill share a look, Kristen gives me a smile.

"Sorry. I was going to walk with Kristen." I say, trying to avoid spending time alone with him.

"No, go ahead. I'll be fine. I'll see you guys later." Kristen says before walking off.

I curse under my breath as she walks off. Bill leads me back into the studio, taking me to his dressing room. He closes the door behind us, and I stand in the center of the room, my arms crossed over my chest. "What do you want?" I ask.

"Are we going to ignore what happened two nights ago?" He asks me and I divert my eyes anywhere that he's not. I don't want to look at him, because I'm sober now and I'm still attracted to him, especially when I think about the night we had together.