In An Instant
A/N: It's not usually my style to write and post in one night, so if you spot any errors please let me know. This fic was inspired by moeexyz.
Disclaimer: Dan is the man.
Annie sat at a spare desk in the library with her laptop open in front of her and study notes scattered on either side. Everyone else was at their various classes, except for Britta, whose notes were spread out beside Annie's. Britta herself had just left to refill her water bottle.
Annie's laptop dinged softly as the Instant Messenger program popped open. That sound always brought a smile of anticipation to her lips, but her heart did a little cartwheel when she saw who the message was from.
Jeff (11:54am): M'Lady
Her fingers flew to the keys.
Annie (11:55am): Good morning m'Lord : )
At first, she'd put an exclamation mark after 'm'Lord', but just before hitting return she'd deleted it, deciding the smiley face was enough. The little pencil icon appeared in the bottom left corner of the IM window, indicating that Jeff was typing. Annie waited.
Jeff (11:55am): What's short, annoying and keeps referring to itself as 'Chang-da bear'?
Annie (11:55am): Haha! I know, I passed Chang in the corridor before. What's with the panda suit?
Jeff (11:55am): Who knows? I just hope it doesn't have anything to do with the Dean.
Annie grinned.
Annie (11:55am): LOL
If she had Jeff's timetable memorised correctly – and she did – he was in his Justice Studies class. Her eyes flicked to the bottom left corner of the IM window. No little pencil.
Not wanting their conversation to end, she typed another message.
Annie (11:56am): How's Justice Studies?
Jeff (11:56am): Ugh LAME
Annie frowned at the screen as she tapped out her response.
Annie (11:57am): What's up?
Jeff (11:57am): Prof Corn Dog failed my assignment.
Her fingernails clacked against the keys as she replied.
Annie (11:57am): Everyone knows Prof Kornby only teaches because he couldn't hack it in a real courtroom. Bet he's just jealous that you've already lived his dream.
Jeff (11:57am): Ha! Classic Edison, always trying to make people feel better. That's why I love you, Annie.
Annie stared at his words, her heart thumping against her ribs. He just meant it as a friend, right? Surely that was all he meant. Unless he was flirting? Was Jeff Winger flirting with her? She read the words again.
"That's why I love you, Annie."
And again.
"I love you, Annie."
And again.
"I love you."
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, her brain jammed.
Jeff (11:58am): In a plutonic way of course.
Annie (11:58am): Haha don't worry, I knew what you meant.
Annie took a deep breath and gave her head a little shake.
Jeff (11:58am): Hey look at that, lunchtime. See you in the cafeteria in 5?
Annie (11:59am): Sure
Jeff is offline.
Those last three words left her feeling oddly sad. She scrolled back up and slowly re-read the conversation.
"Hey."
Annie jumped as Britta plonked down beside her and began gathering up her notes. "Time to meet the others in the cafeteria?" Britta asked.
"Uh, sure." Annie began shutting down the various programs on her laptop. She left the IM window until last. After a moment's hesitation, she clicked on the little red cross in the top right corner and Jeff's words disappeared, lost forever into the technological ether.
I love you too, Jeff Winger, she thought to herself as she closed the laptop.
A/N: This was my first Community fic, and reviews are like Abed (I love them to bits!) so please let me know what you thought :)
