<P> Kepner entertained several relationships throughout her time on Grey's Anatomy . In her early appearances, she is introduced as the best friend and roommate of her fellow Mercy West resident, Reed Adamson . In the season six finale, when Reed is tragically murdered by Gary Clark during the shooting, April is the first to find her when she trips over her dead body . In season seven April forms a friendship with Meredith Grey and she eventually moves into her house . Ellen Pompeo offered regarding their bond: "Meredith will accept April in order to get the audience to accept her," and Drew further explained: "She's being plugged into the community . Meredith has really taken her under her wing, is really looking out for her . Having Meredith come around to April helps the audience come around to April ." </P> <P> She first develops a crush on Derek Shepherd in season six . Carina MacKenzie from The Los Angeles Times called it "ridiculous" and added: "April is drooling all over Chief McDreamy . Vomit . (...) She's been reduced to a 12 - year - old with hearts in her eyes and a painful inability to be subtle ." Drew herself was skeptical about it, saying: "The biggest thing that people did not like about my character was they thought I was a threat for the Mer / Der relationship, which I kind of found was super ridiculous (...) I never saw it as anything that would ever transpire into something that might threaten them . I only saw it as a really pathetic little crush ." She briefly has feelings for Alex Karev who almost makes her lose her virginity when he tries to sleep with her in Something's Gotta Give . Wetpaint commented that he made her feel "worthless and unwanted when she was at her most vulnerable ." Kepner also briefly dates Dr. Robert Stark, a senior pediatric surgical attending . After her fellow residents make fun of her, she breaks up with him, creating a coldness between them . However, it is Stark who recommends her as chief resident to Dr. Hunt . Drew stated: "She sees a side to Dr. Stark that he doesn't show to anyone else at the hospital, and she finds that part endearing...I think they enjoy the companionship ." </P> <P> In the end of season eight, Kepner embarks on a relationship with her best friend turned lover Jackson Avery (Williams), who she loses her virginity to and that eventually leads her to reflect on her faith and fail her boards . Critics praised the chemistry between April and Jackon . Rhimes commented on the dynamic between the two in season nine and said: "I think it's going to be funny, sexy, and good ." </P> <P> The character received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike . Initially, Carina MacKenzie of the Los Angeles Times highly praised the characterization of Kepner . writing: "One of my favorite Mercy Westers is intern April (Sarah Drew). Her saccharine - sweet attitude and wide - eyed insincerity were hilarious, as was her super-mysterious hot pink notebook full of morale - boosting platitudes ." However, she criticized the later development of her story, especially her crush on Derek Shepherd calling it "vomit" PopSugar noted similarities between Kepner and Lexie Grey, stating: "Am I the only one who thinks the new doctor is kind of like Lexie 2.0? Their dynamic reminded me of when Lexie first started and tries really hard to make nice with Mere, but gets the cold shoulder in return ." Mariella Mosthof from Wetpaint stated: "Despite her obnoxious yet well - meaning tendencies, we briefly flirted with the idea of liking April's character last season, and it looks like there's plenty of opportunity for her to come back and charm us again yet again this time around ." Reviewing the first part of the eight season, Courtney Morrison of TV Fanatic wrote: "Although the girl has grown in terms of likeability, her downfalls still outweigh the positives . She doesn't really bring too much to the table . She wasn't the best choice for Chief Resident; she doesn't seem to be on the same level surgical wise and she hasn't carried a story on her own that makes us care about her ." </P>

When do april and jackson get together on grey's anatomy