The Write Match // Bill Hader

Two

I wake up early the next morning, being greeted with the bright sun. I get up and start doing my hair, along with my makeup, making sure I look decent enough for the long day ahead.

I make it to the studio, going to my office to see John waiting for me.

"Good morning." John says with a smile.

"Morning. I didn't get to talk you after lunch yesterday. How did that go? Did anything happen? Any sketch ideas?" I ask.

"No. Well actually-" He gets cut off by a knock on my office door.

"Hey Meredith. John, we we're supposed to get coffee this morning." Bill says.

"Oh, that's right. I guess I let it slip my mind and scheduled a one-on-one meeting with Meredith. I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you. I'll pay for your drinks tonight." John says pleading with him.

"Fine," he exhales, "see you guys later." He says before walking down the hallway.

John gets up and closes the door behind Bill. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Bill?" I ask.

"He asked about you." He tells me, trying to hide a smile.

"Mhm. Why should that matter to me?" I shrug and look down at my folded hands on my desk.

"Meredith, can you be normal for a second and get excited over the fact that Bill asked about you?" He whines and I roll my eyes as I reach into my bag.

"OH MY GOD! Bill Hader asked about me. Simple, little me? What did he say? Does he like me? Oh, he possibly couldn't like me because I'm poor little me with my black coffee and journal. Please tell me what he said, please tell me!" I say as sarcastic as I can, and I let myself fall back into my chair. "Is that better?" I ask.

"Much, thank you. He was just talking about everyone that was new and you got brought up and he leaned over and asked me what your deal was." He tells me and I furrow my eyebrows.

"What my deal is?" I ask, hating the way it sounds coming out of my mouth.

"Like why you didn't want to go to lunch with us, why you're so distant." He explains and I sit straight up.

"That's none of his business." I tell him.

"I told him you're not a people person. You worry about work and yourself, and that's it. I told him you didn't like to come out because you didn't like to be distracted from your job." He answers and I expect this conversation to be done, but he continues. "Then he asked me if you were seeing anyone, and if that's the reason why." I laugh out loud.

"He barely knows me!" I yell.

"Meredith, I know. He's just trying to figure you out." He shrugs.

"He doesn't need to figure me out. I just write for the show, and that's all he needs to know." I tell him and John laughs as he shakes his head.

"He's a good guy, Meredith. He's easy to talk to, he's understanding, he's really nice." John tries to convince me.

"I know what you're trying to do John and I appreciate you doing that, but I'm just trying to do my job." I shrug again.

John talks my ear off for the rest of the morning, going on about the show tonight, and after we finish, I get my things and go to the main stage. I walk out of the writer's hallway, and to my surprise I see Bill sitting in the front row.

"How are you?" He asks, breaking the silence.

"Great. How are you?" I ask, just to be civil.

"Good. I'm doing good." He says, nodding his head.

"A little birdy told me you were asking about me?" I speak before thinking and I see his lips twist into a smirk, his eyebrows raising.

"I should've known John would tell you. I hope I didn't offend you, I just wanted to know more about you." He says, standing to face me.

"You didn't offend me. If you want to know something about me, I'd rather hear it come from you and not someone else. Just to let you know." I tell him and he laughs just the slightest.

"I feel like you're someone who won't openly tell me things. Am I right in assuming so?" He asks.

"I'd say so, and I guess that means you don't get to know." I tell him, and walk past him, leaving him in front of the stage. I walk down the opposite hallway, stopping in front of the door that said Michael Phelps before knocking. I went through everything he would be doing, and I got a copy of his monologue.

The studio audience is coming in now and taking their seats. I join John backstage to make sure everything is in its place.

"Now we get to sit back and enjoy." John says following me out to my seat.

"Hey man. Don't worry about it, you'll be fine." He says to Bill, giving him a smile and a fist bump. I give him a double thumbs up and a smile. John and I walk to our seats and the theme music begins.

"Live from New York City, it's Saturday Night!" I hear the famous phrase and the audience roars. Everyone is clapping, but I just sit and listen. Michael Phelps comes out on stage and begins his monologue.

Once the show is over John goes backstage and I find myself in my office, packing my things up before going home. Once I'm back to my apartment, I shower and put everything away, knowing the cycle starts again on Monday. I walk over to the window, a glass of white wine in my hand and I look out at the bright city in front of me, and I fall in love with New York City all over again. My phone starts ringing, and I question it when I see the strange number, answering to see who it is.

"Who is this?" I ask, knowing everyone I normally call is in my contacts.

"Your favorite person." I hear his voice speaking on the other side of the call and I fight the urge to groan.

"How did you get my number?" I ask, though I already know the answer.

"John gave it to me considering you wouldn't take the piece of paper when I tried to give it to you. I just feel like it would be easier if I had your number." He tells me and I roll my eyes.

"Can I help you with anything?" I ask, and he laughs.

"We're all going out for drinks; I was wondering if you wanted to come with us. I was going to ask after the show, but John said you had already gone home."

"No, thank you. I'm happy at home." I tell him and get ready to hang up.

"What's so fun about being alone in your apartment." He asks, making me think.

"My glass of wine and new episodes of Dateline." I answer with the same sass he's giving me, and he laughs into the phone.

"Oh, that is important. I'll leave you to it then. Goodnight Meredith." He says before I hang up without saying another word.

What Bill doesn't know it that I'm one of the most stubborn people in the world, and if I don't want to do something, I won't do it. I look at the number and debate saving it, but I decide not to, knowing I won't need it for anything.