A/N: Okay, so this is going to be a chapter thing, so just roll with it here. It shouldn't take too long to upload new chapters. By the way, this takes place about midseason in Season 2.
Disclaimer: I don't own the show or the characters. But believe me, if I did...
"Are you going to Annie's birthday party?" Shirley asked Jeff on their way to class.
"What?" Jeff asked. He was used to tuning out most of what Shirley said on these little walks to class.
"Annie's birthday party!" Shirley exclaimed. "It's the one her parents are throwing her, even though I would've thrown her one if they hadn't, but I guess, as her parents, they have a right…"
Jeff had forgotten about that. He wasn't actually planning on going. Enough had gone on that he thought maybe staying away from Annie was the best thing he could do for right now. He didn't know how she felt, but being too close to her-
Yeah, it was probably just better if he didn't go.
"No, I don't think so," he told Shirley.
"What? Jeffrey, that's not very fair, you know. We're all coming to support Annie and meet her family, and if you're not there, it just wouldn't be right. Even Troy's coming, and he doesn't even celebrate birthdays," Shirley said, and Jeff winced, noting that the guilt trip was starting.
"Look, I think Annie would have a fine time without me. You guys will all be good to her, and she'll have lots of fun with you guys," Jeff said.
Shirley glared at him. "Jeffrey, you will be there."
"But Shirley, I don't think-"
"Jeffrey."
"Fine."
"Good," Shirley said sweetly. "I'll see you there."
Jeff sighed.
He was standing in some department store, trying to find Annie a gift. He was staring at a wall of everything imaginable, but he couldn't think of anything that would work.
He sucked at giving gifts.
He had to find a gift that she would like, that she would use, and that wouldn't be totally lame. It had to be something that no one else in the group would get her, something special. But not too special. If it was too special, it would say something. And he didn't need it to say anything.
He needed a perfect, creative, but silent gift.
He stared at the wall a little while longer, then pulled out his phone, dialing Britta's number.
"No, Jeff," she answered. "I will not pick out a gift for you to give Annie. You know how I feel about these things. People need to pick out something themselves. We all know each other well enough for that."
"I wasn't going to ask you to pick out a gift," said Jeff.
"Oh, yeah?" said Britta. "What were you going to do?"
Jeff stopped for a moment. "I was going to ask you to…pick out a gift," he said, sighing.
"Pick one out yourself," she said. "I'm sure you can think of something," she said. "You know Annie well enough for that."
Jeff nodded. "Okay, well, okay, I'll figure it out," he said.
"I'm sure you will," Britta said, and he could hear her smirking at him over the phone.
He hung up and thought for a moment.
He walked out of the department store and out to his car. He knew what to get her.