papa don't preach

I like it. I’m a fan of pizza roulette.

Let’s do it! I’m starving. 

Fine next time we will make it to your bed.

Heck yeah we will. [playfully winks at him, elbowing his side] 

*pulls his cup toward himself* You and your taste buds are just gonna have to get your own cup.

[gasps, placing a hand on her heart in fake pain] Ouch. What happened to sharing?

[Eve’s gaze keeps flickering from the blank screen to Meredith, watching in awe as she works.] Are you a wizard? To even be able to write down these steps and stuff? It usually doesn’t go black like this… just freezes. Oh, I was filling out a progress sheet for work. Has all my students’ grades so… kinda important unless I wanna guess their averages in June. 

Don’t tell anyone, but yes. I’m a wizard, it’s true. [messes around with the computer for a few more minutes before turning it back toward Eve with the screen turned back on] I’m not sure if the work is saved.. but at least your laptop is.. for now. I’d look into getting a new one soon, unfortunately. [Meredith grabs her note pad from her table and begins writing down the steps she had just performed, pausing every few seconds to remember exactly what she did] Students? Oh, wow! What do you teach? [looks up from her notepad for a few seconds, then continues to write]

Jessica Bi- [Wesley laughs softly, already amused before her argument’s even begun.] You’re right, you’re right… Your Mushroom cup, your choice. [He nods solemnly, sucking in his lower lip to try and conceal his incoming laughter.] Okay, you know what? If it’s for Teddy, I’ll let it slide. But now that means, you owe me the truth. If you, Meredith Ross, were playing Mario Kart for you and yourself alone… top pick, go. [He scoffs, barely keeping his grin at bay.] You know what they say… play with Fire Flowers and you’ll get burned.

[Meredith crosses her arms across her chest to make her look more serious] You’ll let it slide? I didn’t know I’d have to prove myself today, I was not prepared for this. [looks up at the ceiling as she thinks, trying to come up with the most kick-ass team she can, sticking her tongue out as she does- her famous concentration face] I’d have to say.. Bowser, rose gold Princess Peach, regular Mario or Toad are my top picks. [looks back over at him] Who I pick depends on my mood, like today I want to really kick some ass so I’m going with Bowser. Because he’s mean. Make fun of me all you want. Me and Bowser will destroy you. 

[Wesley glances up from his phone at Meredith’s question, and before he can even answer her, she’s brought his drink to her lips, which brought a smile to his own.] Sure, Mer, you can have a sip, I don’t mind. [He teases, a mischievous glint in his eye as he observes her reaction with interest. He can’t help but laugh at her outburst, taking the cup back and having a sip of his own.] I mean, I didn’t let you, you kind of just… helped yourself, there. I’d love to feel bad if I had something to do with it, but mostly… I’m kind of, uh, shook, you could say, that you don’t like black unsweetened coffee. [He gives her a half-shrug, expression now playful.] Well… I mean… you are a little kid, after all. Teeny, tiny… do you even know your ABCs?

Wes, Wes, Wes.. you should know this by now, I see coffee and it’s just an automatic reflex. I just have to drink it. It’s a problem. Thankfully I only do it with people I know. The second I start taking sips of strangers coffees.. that’s when you know I’ve gone too far. I’ll need a caffeine intervention at that point. [looks over at him] I’m sorry? Shook? I’m a little shook that you even know that word. Did you overhear one of the teenagers who stop in on their lunch break say it? [sticks her tongue out again at the mention of his drink] I’m shook that you, mister big time barista man, aren’t drinking something.. fancier? [her jaw drops slightly before turning into a smile] I don’t know my ABC’s, no. Maybe you could teach me some time? I totally know how to count to ten though. Wanna see?

For the next lifetime, Mer. L i f e t i m e. I can never go back, which sucks because they have the best coffee in town and I will not settle for Starbucks coffee again. [shakes her head] I also refuse to learn how to work a coffee machine– I think it makes me pretty. [she sighs and crosses her arms] I asked the cute barista out on a date and he said no in front of a lot of people. So I can’t go in. And as for my dignity– it might never recover.

Lifetime? Debs, that’s a big commitment. What if I move away? I can’t just come back everyday to make sure you get your coffee fix. I would do it, but just imagine all of the time, gas and money that would be used up. [sighs] You can’t let a little rejection get you down, babes. I doubt that the same people are in there today.. but I’ll save you. One cold brew coming up. [walks in, orders the two of them drinks, then walks outside a few minutes later holding out Debbie’s drink to her] Mademoiselle. Is it okay? If it’s not to your liking.. well, I might have to send you in there yourself to fix it. Kidding, I’m not that mean. 

Aww, but that means he’s talking and walking and stuff! Toddlers say the cutest and funniest shit. Yeah, I’m starting to realize that. Asking my brothers for baby advice is like talking to two brick walls. I should ask their wives instead… Where does one get blackout curtains? Ooh, I’ve been trying to convince my boyfriend to get a minifridge for a while. Now’s the perfect excuse!

You should watch him walk. He’s been walking for almost a year now and he still looks like he’s learning how to walk. It’s the cutest thing ever. And his little voice just melts my whole heart. Yeah, I definitely recommend asking their wives, or join facebook groups! Those help too, that wat you get hundreds of peoples advice instead of just a few. I found my blackout curtains at Bed Bath and Beyond, but you can find them cheap on Amazon too. They are so freaking nice and they can also help keep the house cool in the summer. This is honestly so cool, it’s the first time I’ve gotten to share my own parenting tips with, well, anyone. 

Okay, so, the coffee shop by the salon? There! The library’s cafe had them for a while, but they just weren’t … *pulls a face, and waves a hand in a shooing gesture* They weren’t special. Anyway! The best one - the standard, it’s … standard. Eggs, bacon, sauce, that kind of thing? But the vegan, oh, it’s my favourite. I can’t spoil it, so just … I know, come with me next time. One breakfast burrito on me! 

Yes! Unless— do you think we have time to grab an iced coffee on the way? It’s fuel, you know. 

Coffee shop by the salon.. [nods as she listens then points to her forehead] mental note taken. I haven’t been there in forever. I kinda forgot it existed.. Abs, I would love to grab a vegan breakfast burrito with you! Just text me next time you get a craving and we’ll meet up!

It’s not that I want to torture myself, my doctor suggested that I should forget about sugar and carbohydrates, the last one has been more difficult. Does brown sugar really taste different than the normal one?

Oh, it’s a health thing! Okay, that makes so much more sense. I definitely hope that cutting out the sugar and carbs is worth it and helps with whatever is going on. [nods] I don’t know how to describe it.. brown sugar while it doesn’t fully taste like maple for some reason tastes like maple syrup to me? That might just be a me thing.. 

Maria, Margot, close enough, I guess. [shrugs] Ah, a sibling thing. I know what that’s like. Well, sort of. When you’re in foster care, nothing food-wise is really yours unless you hide it or it’s literally in your mouth. 

Hey, like I said, all I saw was “Mar.” It’s not my fault that Maria and Margot both start with “Mar.” Sharing food when its unintentional is never fun. Once Margot literally stole a lollipop out of my mouth, now that was infuriating and it chipped a tooth. Thankfully it was a baby tooth.. but still.