⇢ CHAPTER 73

me?" Holly scoffed, rolling her eyes at Jackson before she turned around and, with her suitcase in hand, made her way towards the bus that would take all the resident and repeats, to where the Boards were being held.

"Holly," Jackson started as he followed after her, "if you can just let me explain--"

"Explain?" Holly scoffed again, turning around sharply to face him, "Yes, please, explain why you have another apartment." She looked directly in his eyes, showing the hurt emotion swirling in her irises as he fumbled around for words, "'Cause I can pretty much sum up the story myself."

"Holl--"

"Your mom was visiting, you knew your mom would come back, and you didn't want to show her that you're living with your girlfriend because then questions would arise, right?" Holly asked, watching as Jackson tried his best to act like she was incorrect.

Jackson cringed, exhaling deeply, "Holl--"

"I need to take my Boards." Holly excused, glaring at Jackson for one last time before she turned around to get back to the bus.

"Holly--"

"Holly!" Derek shouted, waving the girl over to join him-- which made Holly frown her eyebrows, knowing well that he and Meredith were currently on maternity/paternity leave to take care of their new baby, Derek Bailey Shepherd.

"Derek?" Holly frowned her brows, walking over to him as Jackson was stopped by April and Steve, "What are you doing here?"

"What do you think you're doing?" April asked Jackson as she squinted pointedly at him, "Honestly, Jackson, I can't believe you."

"What?" Jackson sighed in defeat, "I was planning to--"

"Did you think I was going to let you leave Seattle without a prep talk?" Derek asked, making Holly squint at him.

"Let me guess," Holly began with a chuckle, "was Bailey too tiring for you?"

"No," Derek shook his head, "no... yes." He sighed, bringing his hands to his face as an attempt to wake himself up, "I'm so tired-- Meredith's so tired... and I left her with the baby so I could 'buy some milk'." Derek explained before patting her shoulder, "Anyways, be prepared for any questions, take your time answering questions, go to sleep early and if you have any questions, you have my number."

"Derek," Holly rolled her eyes, "I'm not gonna call you in the morning for questions, you should get some--"

"I don't mind." Derek waved a hand, but upon seeing Holly's face, he sighed, "Fine, call Nelson if you need to."

"All right." Holly smiled, turning around to enter the bus before her eyes caught Jackson and she sighed.

"Trouble in paradise?" Derek asked, leaning against the hospital's wall as he slowly began to close his eyes.

"He has another apartment so his mother doesn't have to question him about us." She frowned, "I know he doesn't like being pried by his mother, but it feels like he's embarrassed or something--" Derek snored, making Holly turn around to face him, "Derek--"

"I'm up!" Derek defended, jumping up as Holly rolled her eyes.

"I'm getting on the bus-- tell Matthew or someone to drive you home." Holly advised before turning around, preparing to get a few more pep talks from Callie, Cristina, and Alex.

✧

"This is weird." Steve commented as he took a seat next to the Kepner sisters, looking around the almost empty bus had it not been for the few fifth years and repeaters in the bus.

"Yeah..." Holly agreed as April's eyes looked over index cards and, occasionally, her phone to text Matthew, "I barely know some people here--"

"Not that." Steve brushed aside before his eyes glanced over the people, "...Well, that,  the fact that you and Jackson are in a lover's quarrel."

"Well," Holly shrugged, leaning back in her seat, "it's his fault. And he's pissed me off so I didn't say good-bye to him."

Steve gasped dramatically, "What?"

"Oh, shut up." Holly rolled her eyes, "He'll see me again tomorrow and he better come up with a good apology."

Steve leaned in forward, intrigued, "What exactly did he do?"

Holly looked at him, "You're actually interested?"

"Sure." Steve shrugged, "It's not like we're gonna be entertained for the next few hours, so I might as well listen in to the drama of the Jackson and Holly life."

✧

"It's weird doing this again." April admitted, taking in the sights around her as they all sipped on their drinks.

"I'd bet." Steve nodded, drinking his beverage, "I don't know what I'd do if I--" Steve paused as he felt a foot meet contact with his leg-- he instantly knew Holly had kicked him, "um, didn't have you guys with me."

"Aww, Steve." April smiled before frowning her brows, "We're not that close."

"It's the thought that counts." Holly excused before looking at Steve, "So who are you going to do a fellowship with? Callie or Stein?"

"Oh." Steve awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck as April noticed the growing tension, "Holl--"

"'Cause don't get me wrong," Holly began, "Stein is good, but Callie--"

"If I pass my boards," Steve began, making Holly stop, "I think I'm going to Maine."

There was an eerie silence as Holly stared at him, frozen, "...Maine?"

"Yeah--"

"What happened to the plan, Steve?" Holly asked, tilting her head to the side in disbelief and betrayal.

Steve exhaled shakily, "The plan--"

"What plan?" April interrupted, looking between the two friends.

"The plan that said we'd stick in Grey Sloan." Holly filled in, eyes not daring to tear away from Steve as she squinted at him, "Since everyone else left, we'd be the ones to stay. We'd be the ones to stay together as friends, help each other with the boards-- especially when our group started diminishing until it was just the two of us because they chose other specialties." Holly scoffed, looking at Steve as anger fueled her, "So what happened, Steve?"