Authors note: I originally wrote this before Christmas of the third season. So that's when it takes place, no mention of Regional Holiday Music mentioned.
Annie's eyes ached.
She wanted to believe it was from staring at screen of the computer in the study room for too long; And to be fair, that was certainly part of it. She'd probably stared at that screen for over an hour.
Actually... 'looked' wasn't quite right. When you looked at something you paid your full attention to it and took it in. She'd 'looked' at the screen for what felt like a half the day now without so much as touching the keyboard or mouse. So really, she less 'looked' and more 'stared' at the screen. Or perhaps she 'gazed' or even 'glared' at it.
All that was left to do at this point was to hit the 'send' button and it would be done. She could get out of her chair, leave the library, and never step foot in it again. Not at all how she always imagined her last day at Greendale.
She always figured that she would walk out proudly, head held high, holding Troy and Abed's hands or maybe even Jeff's. Shirley and Britta would be right behind them yammering excitedly about after graduation parties and get-togethers and Pierce would be in step behind them all, wiping a tear from his eye.
At the moment however, Annie's eyes were the only ones with tears. And that was the other reason her they ached.
Her letter of withdrawal from school stared back at her on the computer screen. Cold and unfeeling; waiting for her to send it and finally accept how all by herself, little Annie Adderall ruined Christmas and destroyed her Study Group. Even if the Dean did find a way to replace the money she lost, it didn't erase that she bore all the blame. Which was why this was her last day at school.
Annie's hand brushed against the mouse and her fingers fumbled over top until it sat under her palm and her index finger rested on the small indent designed to aid in the all important 'mouse click'.
She glanced over her shoulder for a second, sure that she wasn't alone. Shirley, or Abed were maybe there to talk her out of this? They were always quickest to forgive. But after a moment of staring in the mostly darkened study room, Annie released a slow defeated breath. Nobody else was in the room. As always, she was alone.
The tiny arrow cursor blinked on the screen. Annie focused her eyes on it, and the box it hovered over. She drew in another breath and started applying pressure to the mouse. She let the breath go and closed her eyes and fell completely silent so she heard with perfect clarity when her finger pushed all the way down and the mouse made a resounding 'click'.
Done.
She opened her eyes at the screen. The message had been sent.
She was now, no longer a student at Greendale Community College.
The thought hit her like being tackled by Fat Neil. It was all over for her. No more classes, no more chicken fingers, no more insane dances, and no more study group. She'd walk out of Greendale exactly as she entered it.
Alone.
Completely alone. And the worst part was that she knew she deserved it. She single handedly destroyed her friends school careers, and ruined Christmas. She'd cried only once since it had all happened but now with her withdrawal hovering somewhere in cyberspace, aimed at Dean Pelton's inbox, the tears welled up again and threatened to break her currently stoic demeanor.
She sucked in a long and calming breath, but her chest shook at the effort and her hands quivered as she tried to switch the computer off. She finally managed that and was even proud of herself for not forgetting her books and knick-knacks, scattered around the table. Once they were safely secured in her backpack she turned around and aimed herself for the exit.
However, she stopped cold at the sight of the study room table. The one with notches carved into it celebrating "Classic Winges" and "Ab Mentions". The same table she sat at three years ago as a girl eager to prove herself and leave the school as quickly as possible, only to find herself a new family and a new life better than anything she'd ever had before.
And that's what did it. Annie cupped one hand over her mouth and did her best to choke back the tears but just the memories of the silly little notches alone tipped her over the edge. Quiet sobs escaped her mouth as she hugged herself and it was all that she could do to stay on her feet.
Troy, Abed, Britta, Pierce, Shirley, and… and Jeff. She had hurt them all so much, and for what? Her pride? Her arrogance in thinking that none of them could actually succeed in Biology class? With shaky steps she inched toward the exit. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision. As she passed the table, she caught a glimpse of her own reflection in the study room window. For a brief instant she thought her reflection didn't show herself as she was now, but the pathetic, overweight, drug- addled teenager she had been less than a year before she ever came to this school.
Fitting. That's who she really was deep down.
She clasped the door handle and swallowed hard, ready to walk out of the study room one final time. Annie tried again, to suffocate the tears and sobs with a deep breath. She had to get out of the library as fast as her legs would take her. Otherwise she ran the risk of someone finding her sobbing in a corner. She might have screwed everything up but she didn't want them to see her like this. Even if they didn't care at this point.
It would have been best if I never came here, She thought as her legs started picking up speed. Little Annie Adderall's best talent was ruining every good thing she ever had. It would have been best if I had never been part of the study group!
Annie reached out to push the library door open only to jump at a large crash to her side and twist her body just in time to catch a blur of motion rushing straight at her. She tried dodging out of the way but she didn't get half a step in before it collided with her and slammed her to the ground. Her head spun and her vision swam until it blackened and went out all together.
When her head finally cleared and she opened her eyes, Annie had to scrunch them back shut to block out the headache. She briefly caught a glimpse of someone standing over her, breathing heavily. Probably whoever was responsible for giving her a concussion.
"Are you alright?" an unmistakable voice cracked in her ears.
"Garrett?" she pinched the bridge of her nose. "What happened? Why did you knock me down?"
"I'm sorry Annie Edison! It was an accident, I'm… I'm not very good at flying… and I'm not Garrett!"
Annie forced her eyes open and ignored the tiny lighting bolts of pain that shot in her head. She held a hand over the top of her skull and did her best to sit up. The room spun and she sucked in a breath, hoping oxygen would remove the urge to vomit.
When she looked up she saw Garrett sitting in front of her dressed like some kind of hobo.
"Seriously," Annie cupped her hand on the other side of her head. "What happened Garrett?"
"I was trying to land when I crashed into you… and I'm not Garrett."
With the dizziness finally wearing off, Annie stared at Garrett, wondering what the hell his game was. If he was going to pester anyone in the study group, it would be Jeff or maybe Pierce. She never interacted with him.
A twinge of pain accompanied her thoughts of the study group. Getting knocked off one's feet had the tendency to make one forget about their immediate problem and focus on making sure the head was still attached to the neck. Now that Annie knew she could stand, she could feel the regret and guilt rushing back.
"I have to go," she muttered as she stood.
She planted one hand against the wall and leaned into it like someone would a cane. Garrett righted himself and came to her side. "I can help you, you know. That's what I'm here for."
"It's fine Garrett," she shook her head. "I can get to my car on my own. I'm used to doing things on my own."
"I know," he nodded. "That's the way you feel right now isn't it? That you're completely alone, that nobody cares about you, and that even if they did, you don't deserve it. And I'm here to tell you that you're wrong. You're making a terrible mistake by leaving the school and I've been sent to stop you."
Annie narrowed her eyes at her fellow student… well former fellow student. A sudden urge to run crept up in the back of her mind. Had he been following her? Stalking her? That was the only explanation. Of all the ways this day could get worse, being stalked by Garrett had to be thrown on top of it.
"I don't know how you know all of this Garrett but I don't have time!" she tried taking another step but the dizziness returned and threatened her balance. She straightened up and pulled her features into the best intimidating face she could at the moment. "If I catch you around me I'll call the police."
"Annie wait," Garrett panted as he ran a few steps in front of her. "I'm not Garret!"
"I said I don't have time for this!"
"But I'm not! I'm not Garrett at all! I'm your guardian angel!"
For a moment she stared at the constantly exasperated student that blocked her way and then she shook her head and looked around. "Very funny Abed!" she shouted to the ceiling or maybe the walls. "It's a Wonderful Life! I get it! This isn't funny anymore!"
This isn't one of Abed's bits!" Garrett waved his hands, trying to get her attention back. "I really am your guardian angel and I really am here to help save you from making a terrible mistake!"
"Well even if you are an angel you're a little late don't you think?" Annie snapped her eyes to him. "Maybe if you'd shown up a few hours ago you could have done something! Because right now I've lost my friends, my school, and everything else that was important to me!"
"But it's not too late! It's never too late!" Garrett's voice grated on Annie's ears. Part of her wondered why, if anything he said was true, God hated her so much that he gave her Garrett, of all people, as her angel.
"It is too late," she shook her head and her eyes flicked toward the door. "I've already dropped out and my stuff will be out of Troy and Abed's apartment before they even get home. Everyone will be better off without me here. They would have been better off without me ever having come."
"You can't say that!" Garrett grabbed the door handle so she couldn't leave. She turned on him and glared with everything she had.
"Garrett… this is none of your business, this is the second worst day of my life and I will lay you out if you force me to."
Just then, one of the nearby classroom doors opened and none other than Garrett walked out. He hummed to himself, completely off key, as he lumbered toward the exit. He nodded at Annie and then to…himself, who released the door so he could leave. Garrett took a few steps out the door then spun around and walked up to his doppelganger.
"I can see you're a fan," Garrett said to Garrett. "But there is really only one Garrett. So you better stay seated when they ask the real Garrett Lambert to please stand up."
Garrett flashed a 'gangsta' sign with his hands and stalked away. Annie watched him go and then turned her eyes to the Garrett that still stood beside her. He wore the same vacant, mouth breathing, expression that Garrett favored, had the same haircut and same angry eyes… but it was… it was impossible.
"That went a lot better than I expected!" Garrett said. "Now, back to-"
"What's going on!?" Annie backed away. "How can there be two of you?"
"I told you! I'm your Guardian Angel! I came here to help!"
"B… but… why does my Guardian Angel look like Garrett?"
"We figured we needed to take a form that you'd find harmless. I suggested a talking cat but Michael said it would be too Sailor Moon-esque. He's never liked Anime."
"What?"
"The Archangel Michael, my boss, he hates anime, except for Death Note. He thinks it's a guilty pleasur…"
"I've lost my mind!" Annie started sucking in breaths. "I'm having another episode! But… but I've been clean since high school! I can't… what's going on?"
"I told you…"
"No! I can't… but… this is…" Annie closed her eyes and silently counted to three. "Okay, let's assume for a second that I haven't lost my mind and you really are an angel sent to keep me from leaving the school. Why does that even matter? And if you really are an angel haven't you seen what happened today? There's no way I could keep attending school here. Not after I flunked my entire study group out of biology and possibly got us kicked out of school!"
"We've been watching you every since you were born," Garrett said. "And that's why I've been sent here. Greendale is where you need to be. Not just for yourself, but for your friends."
"I don't have any friends," Annie shook her head. "They all walked out on me after they found out what happened!"
"And that's when Jeff put the idea in your mind that you never should have come here."
"He's right," she nodded. "Maybe we had some good times in the past but everyone is going to fail because of me. Who knows if Jeff will be able to get his law degree back now! If I hadn't butted in and insisted on doing all the work, if they had counted on someone else, someone that didn't mess things up, this never would have happened. So yeah, Mister Angel Garrett or whoever the hell you are… I agree with Jeff! Everybody would have been better off if I'd never stepped foot in Greendale."
Annie finished her little speech with a huff and even had to clear out a streak of hair that toppled in front of her face while she spoke. Garrett stared at her and sighed before shaking his head and pacing down the hall in short, frustrated steps. Finally he looked at her and scratched his head.
"Everybody told me this would happen. Here I thought I'd get lucky. Even though it was Christmas time I thought, maybe I'd be different. Ugh… oh very well. One 'Capra Special' coming right up!"
"Caprawha…" Annie started, but the doors behind her flew open and a chill wind gusted past her, blowing her hair over her shoulders and causing her to hug her arms to her body.
"So here it is!" Garrett said. "As unoriginal as it is… the world where Annie Edison never attended Greendale."
"Uh huh…" Annie glanced over her shoulders. The doors had shut and snow already piled against the glass. It would be hell trying to get back home. Even if this was some weird alternate reality like Abed kept talking about, driving in this weather would be hell.
"Excuse me!" Chang's voice came from down the hall. Annie glanced around, looking for any place to hide. The last thing she wanted was to listen to Chang twist the knife in a little deeper. He wasn't even part of the study group, but she knew he'd try to do it, sadist that he was.
But he was already coming down the hall toward her and she had nowhere to hide, so all she could do was stand tall and try to get away as soon as possible. Of course, as he got closer Annie noticed he'd ditched his security guard uniform. In fact, he wore a sombrero of all things.
"Yeah I'm talking to you!" Chang picked up speed until he was practically on top of her. Annie felt her fingers curling up, ready to run or break his face.
"Don't worry Chang," Annie said. "I'm already leaving."
"That's Señor Chang to you student! And if you're going to go then go. Just don't leave the door open. We're not going to heat up the whole city! My classroom is freezing already."
"Fine I'll… wait… what?"
"I'm trying to give a midterm in there, which is bad enough. I don't need you giving me hypothermia on top of it!"
Chang stared up at her with both hands on his hips. Oblivious to the obvious confusion that swept across her face with every passing second. Annie rocked back a small step before glancing over at Garrett. This had to be some weird joke. It couldn't be real. Could it?
"But Chang… you're not a Spanish teacher…"
"Of course I am! Yo hablar español muy mucho!"
"No… but you were fired! You were fired when they found out you don't actually know Spanish and you lied to the Dean to get the job."
Chang's eyes widened like he'd been punched in the gut. He pushed the top brim of his sombrero up so he could see her better. After a quick glance over his shoulder he stepped in closer and Annie had to fight the impulse to retreat. Something about the raw terror in his face…
"How did you know about that!?" He said, but almost as quickly, his eyes darted to her feet and crawled up her body. Then he nodded. "Oh… I get it. You're one of T-bone's girls aren't you? Yeah, you seem his type. Okay. Fine."
Chang grabbed her hand and before she could react he pushed a wad of bills into it.
"That's the best I can do," he whispered. "But if you ever need yourself an easy 'A' you'll have a seat in my class."
Annie stared at the money and then looked back at Chang. He just wore his creepy half smile as he backed off. He nodded to her once and she found herself nodding back dumbly. A small laugh came out of his mouth.
"Yeah, one of Barnes'… heh, good luck," then he glanced at Garrett. "As always Garrett, it's a pleasure."
"I know it is!" Garrett blathered.
Chang smirked and finally turned his back to them and headed for his classroom. As soon as his door clapped shut Annie rushed over to Garrett, who nearly fell over. He tried pulling away but Annie held his shoulders in the most vice-like grip her hands could manage.
"Okay you have to tell me what's going on! What was all that about!? Chang… he didn't recognize me! And he's not a teacher anymore! I reported him to the dean so my study group wouldn't break up at the end of our first year!"
"No you didn't!" Garrett's voice cracked and his eyes were still wide with fear. "I told you! This is a Capra Special. This is the world where you didn't come to Greendale and so you never tattled on Chang!"
"But that's impossible! Unless you're… unless you're an actual…"
Annie threw her head over her shoulder and her eyes narrowed on the school banner. Except it didn't say "Welcome to Greendale" like it always did, instead, it now read, "Welcome to City College South West Division!". She released her hold on Garrett and took a few steps back, nearly tripping as she twisted her head all around, trying to discover anything else that was off.
"Oh… oh my god…" Annie whirled about and locked her gaze on Garrett. "It's real! You really… I'm… I…"
Garrett… or Angel Garrett nodded and Annie did the only thing that made even a fraction of sense in her mind. She spun back around and dropped into a dead sprint. It was too much to take in. An angel that looked like Garrett, Señor Chang, City College… when she woke up this morning all she worried about was their Bio-final and what she would wear to Abed's "Christmas Rager". Now everything had changed… literally.
Annie rounded the corner and nearly bowled the dean over. Except he wasn't the dean. Oh sure, it was Craig Pelton alright. But he carried a mop and wore a janitor's uniform that seemed two sizes too big for him. He screamed girlier than Annie ever could and fell on his rear, splashing water all over himself from the bucket. Annie muttered a 'sorry' and kept running.
"Oh sure!" the Janitor-Dean called after her. "Just pretend I'm not here! It's no different than when I was dean!"
His words chased Annie down the hall but she only picked up speed. Still too much to take in. It was insane. How could her not having gone to Greendale have changed the Dean from being… well a dean and into a janitor. It made no sense!
Finally Annie reached her destination. The only real place, besides the study room she always felt safe in at Greendale. Maybe the only competitor would be the supply room the group met in for secret councils. But even that paled in comparison to the security she felt in the janitor's closet that she and Jeff sometimes caught each other in when one was having a bad day. Maybe the fact that she knew nobody else ever really used it made her felt secure. Maybe it was the easy access to as many tissues as she needed when she cried. She wasn't sure but she needed this space right now to collect herself.
Annie threw the door open and froze in place. Sure the closet was still there. At least her absence hadn't affected the architecture of the school. But the room was far from empty. In fact she knew both of the current occupants of the room; one of them quite well, the other… she thought she'd never see again.
But there they were. Shirley and her incredibly dull friend Gary, the Finn that had transferred the first year. And yet, here he stood, in mid-make out with Shirley. Both of them scrambled to rearrange their clothes, which looked like they had been in the process of removing.
"Sh… Shir…." Annie muttered, gripping the door frame hard enough that her knuckles went white.
"Haven't you ever heard of knocking before!?" Shirley snapped. Annie cupped her hand over her mouth and started retreating. It hurt when Shirley yelled at her a few hours ago back when they all found out what Annie had done. How did it hurt now when the entire world had been spun on its head?
"Oh…" Shirley's mean face melted away as soon as she realized how terrified Annie was. "I'm sorry sweetie… are you okay?"
"I… but… you…"
"My husband Gary and I were just sneaking away for a Christmas rendezvous," Shirley finished adjusting her shirt. "Apparently we should have remembered to lock the door."
"You know her?" Gary said in his oppressive monotone voice. Like if Ben Stein was on paxil and reading the dictionary.
"No," Shirley shrugged and patted his chest. "Why don't you go and get the car. We shouldn't have been sneaking around the school anyway."
"She not look well," Gary said with all the energy of a yawn. "I take her to health center?"
"You get the car honey," Shirley said and held a hand out to Annie. "Why don't you come with me dear? You don't look at all well."
Gary moved at a pace that would make a snail feel like a NASCAR driver and Annie watched him before turning back to Shirley, still wearing her look of motherly concern. Apparently Garrett the Angel could violate all of space and time and change the fabric of reality, but he couldn't stop Shirley from being the ultimate mother.
Still Annie reeled from the shock of it all.
"You… he's your husband?" she finally managed.
A girlish smile spread across Shirley's lips and her eyes lit up just a bit. "Yes, isn't he wonderful? We met in one of our classes three years ago. And we just got married last month."
"But… but…" Annie shook her head. "Isn't he… he seems…"
"Perfect? I know," Shirley said. "We spend most of our time in quiet contemplation of our happiness. And much of the rest of the time we play a game of trying to understand each other. But we never fight. We don't even laugh much. But when he kisses me, that's how I know he's in the same room."
The more Shirley spoke of her new husband the slower and sleepier her voice got. Annie even found her eyes drooping a little with each word. Shirley looked ready to let out a yawn but then she jerked up as if awakening.
"But listen to me, going on about my life to a total stranger! You'd swear we were old friends! You're sure you're okay sweetie?"
"I... don't know," Annie said.
"Well my name is Shirley Jääskeläinen." Annie blinked, she just heard it said and she still wasn't sure how to repeat it. Shirley continued like that name was as simple as 'Miller' or 'Bennett'. "If you ever need someone to talk to… Jesus can always hear you. Tis the season after all! Merry Christmas!"
Shirley started down the hall and Annie stood in place, watching her before she finally couldn't stop herself. "Shirley! Shirley! Wait!"
"Yes dear?" Shirley turned toward her a little.
Annie's breath caught for a second as a nervous flutter hit her stomach. She had to know.
"Why did you marry Gary?"
"Well…" Shirley's features flattened into a thoughtful look. "I suppose… he was there. I had no one I could really talk to. No real friends. So I just grew closer to him after he decided not to transfer. After that… he just sort of… wore down my defenses… plus," Shirley took a sharp breath and her face scrunched up in anger. "Plus I know that that man would never ever be able to walk out on me! No sir! He knows that I can kick his ass and… and… and you know what honey? I better get going! Merry Christmas!"
Annie nodded and Shirley rushed down the hall where Annie could see out the doors. Gary waited, leaning against a grey sedan, blanketed in snow with exception of swathes carved out on the windshield by the wipers. Shirley got in and Gary slowly walked around the entire car before getting in and driving off at a leisurely 2 miles an hour.
Annie rubbed her eyes and without really thinking about it started walking. All the while she still tried to take it all in and work it out in her head, Annie found herself wander into the student lounge. She absentmindedly slipped into one of the many chairs and rested her hands in her lap as she went over the entire encounter with Shirley.
Chang made sense. It was her fault that he got caught. If she never came to Greendale then, yes, he would still be a Spanish teacher. But Shirley? She was friends with Annie. They loved each other. But Annie would never say she was someone that Shirley confided in. If there was anyone in the group that fit the bill it was either Britta or Jeff. Why would Shirley make such a different choice if Annie had never been there? It made no sense.
For the most part everything seemed the same. Annie took a quick look around to confirm it. Actually, the school even looked a little better. Cleaner, with newer furniture, and equipment. The old foosball table had even been replaced by a state-of-the-art air hockey table. How did that all work out?
But more than that, she saw most the same people she saw every day. Quendra cuddled with Pavel, Leonard stalked around the lounge, holding mistletoe over women's chests, and Starburns was trying to sell some freshmen some "Christmas Cannabis". Everything perfectly normal. So why did things change so much for Shirley?
Unfortunately Annie wasn't able to give it much more thought. The doors to the lounge suddenly flew open and Abed walked in, accompanied by an entire posse of students dressed in football jerseys. Abed walked right past Annie and stood on one of the tables. He cleared his throat and then cupped his hands to his mouth.
"Make way everybody! Make way for City College's resident king of cool! The undisputed Duke of Dudeness! The Earl of Excellence… Troy 'T-bone' Barnes!"
In spite of the ridiculous introduction, the students gathered in the lounge stood and clapped, someone in the posse hit a stereo and an awful rap song about Troy being everybody's "Boy" blared into the room. Troy himself entered a few moments later, wearing a City College letterman jacket and half dancing as he walked into the room.
"Ah come on you guys!" Troy waved them off. "You didn't have to do that!"
Some girl approached him and his mouth quirked up to one side.
"Abed," he snapped his fingers and his friend rushed to his other side.
"Yes Troy?"
"I want this girl's name, number and blood type. I want to see her at my place, Friday night, no later than nine. And I want her dressed like Slave Leia."
"Can't do that, you already have a date scheduled for that time."
Troy's eyes narrowed at Abed and he turned back to the girl. "You don't mind sharing me do you…"
"Raquel."
"I'm sure it is," Troy nodded. "You don't mind sharing do you? There's plenty of T-bone steak to go around!"
Annie planted a hand on her head and rolled her eyes. He was still using that line? It was so… first year. If Annie really hadn't lost her mind and this really was happening, then at least she knew that her having gone to Greendale at least had cured him of that.
Abed busied himself with taking the girls information down while Troy nodded to his 'stereo guy'. He hit the play button again and Troy jammed his way over to the vending machine, completely ignoring Annie. She watched him for a moment before turning her attention back to Abed.
The Study Group's resident film guru had finished with Troy's latest date and now walked toward her. No, not her. The chair next to her. He sat down and adjusted himself in the seat and then remained completely rigid, his back had nearly a foot between it and the backrest of the chair. He smiled for a moment then his eyes went blank and he stared straight forward in full 'robot mode'.
Annie glanced back at Troy. He hadn't seemed to notice. He was too busy declaring himself "King of Airhockeyia" or something. She scooted herself closer to her roommate and friend.
"Abed," she said quietly. "Abed can you hear me? Abed it's me… Annie!"
He slowly turned to her and his head cocked to the side and his eyes actually moved, actually darted over her body like he was assessing her, or scanning her. Annie found herself leaning forward a bit more, hoping that maybe, just maybe he recognized her.
"Annie Hall," Abed nodded. "1977 film directed by Woody Allen in which Woody Allen plays himself as he does every movie with exception of the weird pedo-vibes he gives off in real life. The titular character Annie Hall is played by Diane Keaton and is strangely the most watchable character in the film."
"Abed what are you doing?"
"Annie…" Abed nodded and a small smile curled up his lips. "1982 film based off the Broadway musical based off the comic strip 'Little Orphan Annie', directed by John Huston, nominated for two Oscars and featuring beloved musical numbers such as 'Tomorrow'. Just thinking about, Tomorrow! Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow…"
Abed's voice grew a little bit with each line of the song he started singing and a few people were starting to pay attention to him. Annie checked to see if Troy was among them but he was trying to bite an air hockey disk. Still, it was better to play it safe at this point.
"Abed, shhh," Annie held a finger to her lips. "Abed it's okay, you don't have to sing please… please stop."
A couple more lines of the song eeked out but finally Abed stopped his face went blank again and his posture straightened up. Annie felt her brows curl up in worry. Something was horribly wrong. This wasn't Abed. Something had happened. She never imagined she had that much effect on him… she didn't did she? This couldn't be because she wasn't there.
"But it is," Garrett said, as if reading her thoughts. "This is how Abed would be if you were never here."
Garrett took a seat on the couch facing Annie and she fought the urge to pounce on him and demand that he play straight with her. Sure she'd ruined the year for her study group but nothing insane happened until this… angel Garrett smashed into her.
"Okay," she took a measured breath. "I need some explanations. This is supposed to be a world where I never came to Greendale. But things still don't make sense. This is City College now? Shirley married Gary, Abed is a robot and Troy is…" Troy was now playing pool on the air hockey table. "…is obnoxious, loud, and annoying, more so than usual. I can't have had this big an effect."
"Of course you did," Angel Garrett said. "Without you, Greendale never won the debate championship. Greendale never beat City College in the simulated space race, and parts of your study group were taken out of paintball much too early last year, all of this lead to Dean Pelton getting fired and Dean Spreck finally taking over Greendale."
Annie couldn't help but nod at that but almost as quickly she shook her head. "But Shirley said that she married Gary because she needed a friend. Me and Shirley like each other a lot but I'm not her go to gal."
"No, Britta is," Garrett said. "And how did they become 'go to gals for each other'?"
"Um… because… they… bonded?"
"Wrong! I mean… Right! Kind of!" Garrett shook his head. "They bonded over you. When Troy didn't notice you, who comforted you?"
"… Britta?"
"And Britta got help from Shirley. But without you there Britta never got to try it out and the two of them didn't quite connect enough to make their friendship last all the stuff that kept happening and their differences. Shirley started looking elsewhere for companionship."
"Okay," Annie squeezed her eyes shut. "What about these guys?"
"Well…" Garrett looked around. "You see… it really would be better if you just…"
"Garrett!" Annie sat up a little then narrowed her eyes. "Wait… what do I call you. If you're really a guardian angel, what's your name?"
"It's… um… It's actually Garrett," Angel Garrett looked away.
"Your name is Garrett and you happen to look just like him?"
"It's not my fault okay! That's my name and they just chose me to look like your Garrett! Would you like it better if it was Clarence? That way this could be exactly like 'It's a Wonderful Life'?"
"'It's a Wonderful Life'," Abed perked up again. "1946 film directed by Frank Capra, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed., considered a culturally iconic movie, it opened with mixed reviews. Still, it remains a Christmas Classic to this day with it's themes of family and the importance of an individual…"
Annie shook her head then reached out and grabbed Abed's hand. Part of her ached to see him like this. She had to know what had happened!
"Abed, you don't need to quote movie stats to me. It's me, Annie, your friend? We made out at paintball last year. Don't you remember?"
"He doesn't because you never did."
"Shut up Garrett!" Annie squeezed Abed's hand. "Please… Abed, say something."
Abed's eyes went down to Annie's hand, holding his, then trailed up until they locked with hers. For a moment, just for a moment she thought she saw the typical wonderment that Abed seemed to carry around with him each day. His fingers tightened around her hand.
"Strange, isn't it?" he said. "Each man's life touches so many other lives. And when he isn't around he leaves an awful hole doesn't he?"
Annie smiled at him but as soon as he finished the quote his fingers slackened and his eyes darkened. He pulled himself straight again and stared straight forward. Annie lifted herself from her seat and grabbed his shoulder. She almost had him, she was almost through to him!
"Abed! Abed listen to me! Abed tell me-"
"What are you doing?" Troy's voice came from behind her. She stiffened and glanced over her shoulder.
Troy stood behind her, leaning on one leg with his arms crossed. All the obnoxious playfulness that dominated his face earlier was gone. Replaced by confusion and maybe even a little annoyance.
"I…" Annie muttered and stood up straight. "I just wanted to know what was wrong with him."
"Nothing is wrong with Abed," Troy said and sat on the couch next to Garrett. He stared at the Angel in Nerd form and wrinkled his nose. "Didn't I tell you never to be in here when I was?"
"I…" Garrett scooted forward on the couch a little. "I…"
"Scram!"
Garrett bolted from his seat and tore down the hall. Annie had to stop herself from going after him. He was the key to all this craziness. She couldn't afford to lose him. But she still had to find out what happened to Abed. Also Troy. Troy needed a good tongue-lashing. One she intended to give him.
"Troy Barnes!" She wheeled around at him. "What the hell is wrong with you!? You're acting exactly like you did when you were in the 12th grade-"
"You don't know me!"
"Shut up! Garrett wasn't hurting you and you don't own this campus! Not everything is about you you know! And how dare you treat Abed like this! He needs a friend and you're treating him like your own personal assistant!"
"Now that's not fair!" Troy stepped up in front of her. "You don't know any of us! You don't know what happened to Abed. I am his friend. His only friend."
Annie stepped back and glanced at Abed then back to Troy. "But… you were giving him orders… and had him announcing you like he was a page."
"That's because that's all he can do," Troy said. "Unless I'm interacting with Abed, the only thing he does is sit and spout movie references. If I didn't give him something to do he would just be with his dad, mindlessly making felafel."
"But… but what happened to him?"
"Abed's always been a bit weird. We met in a study group and we were starting to become really good friends. Maybe even best friends. I don't know. But then my collegiate football career started taking off and we kind of drifted a little. Then last year, he had a psychotic breakdown or something just before Christmas. Professor Duncan tried doing some messed up therapy and it made it even worse. My study group and I tried to snap him out of it but… I don't know. It wasn't enough I guess. He's been like this ever since."
Annie felt her heard sink a little. She wasn't there for him. She never considered her part in his uncontrollable Christmas episode that important but… maybe she was wrong. Maybe her being there really did make a difference. Her lips pursed tightly and that ache she felt earlier returned. Even by not being at Greendale she let him down. Either way she ruined things.
"You alright?" Troy said.
"I…" Annie hesitated. "I'm just sorry."
"It's okay," Troy shrugged then looked over his shoulder. His football buddies were starting to come closer. "You didn't know. And besides… I'm kind of glad that you did talk to him. It's not every day that Abed gets the attention of a hot POA like you. Tell me girl, what's your name?"
"Um…" Annie locked eyes with him. Suddenly she couldn't decide if this was an act or if it was for real. "I'm Annie."
"Annie," Abed repeated, in the exact same voice that he used when he gushed the Annie movie facts. Troy cut him off before he could get going.
"Abed," I want you to take her name and number and I want her at my place Saturday no later than eleven… have her dressed like…" Troy glanced over his shoulder. "… like herself."
"Sure thing Troy!" Abed grinned and stood up, approaching Annie with a pen and a planner.
Troy signaled his buddies and they all formed up. Stereo man did his thing and Troy started moonwalking out of the lounge. Annie found herself giving Abed the information he wanted in spite of herself. Troy nodded her direction and winked.
"I'll see you later girl," he said. "Come on Abed."
"You can't stop me from coming!" Abed laughed and raced after Troy's posse. All of them cleared out of the room with him taking up the rear. He grabbed the door handled and started pulling it shut behind them all. And Annie swore that just for a second, he looked at her like he recognized her.
Annie sank into the seat again and fought to keep her emotions down. Just as she fought to make sense of it all and to make a plan, to figure out what she would do from here. At this point, she really had to make up her mind. Did she really believe this was some sort of alternate reality or was this the meanest prank ever played on her?
Thought's of how Abed, Troy, and even Shirley acted still bit at her mind. Demanding that she really think about how their lives were different without her. Even though she knew that if she did get back to her reality, things would be exactly the same. She would still be leaving Greendale and all of them would still hate her.
Both realities were horrible for her. So the question was, which reality was worse for her friends? Sure they seemed to have weird lives here and Abed needed help, but at least they were still in school.
Annie pulled herself from her thoughts and stood. Sitting around wasn't going to solve a thing. She needed to find Garrett… or Angel Garrett or whoever. She needed to know for sure that everything was as it seemed. And she didn't want to sit around waiting to see how much creepier Pierce was if this was all real. With that thought she straightened her skirt a little then rushed out the door where Garrett had fled.