A/N: Hey guys! The last chapter was kind of a flashforward so this chapter is set before the last one. I know there is a lot of dialogue but I think in pictures not in words so this is more how I would imagine it to look on screen. Anyway I hope you enjoy it and don't forget to review, I really appreciate the feedback! :)
"So, I've decided to take a website design course after the break, what are you all choosing for your electives next semester?" Shirley chirped from her usual spot at the study room table.
"I've decided to take Chemistry, I think it could really give me an edge in my medical career," Annie explained.
"Oh, looks like I'll be joining you then." The group turned towards the cavalier ex-lawyer sitting at the head of the table. "What?" he said with a wink in Annie's direction, who responded by blushing and shyly looking down at her hands perched on her lap.
"I thought you were so concerned with not letting anything get in the way of going back to your phoney law-firm and four thousand-dollar suits," Britta raised her eyebrows and waited for Jeff's response.
"What, are you saying I'm not allowed to take an interest in science?"
"Pfft interest? since when does Jeff Winger take an interest in anything other than over-priced scotch and hair gel?"
The group were looking back and forth to Britta and Jeff like a tennis game. They were used to their constant fighting so didn't really give it a second thought.
"Britta's upset because Jeff refused to do anything that would prolong his time at Greendale to put effort in for her but now is taking an interest in an extra subject seemingly at random," Abed interjected.
"Abed that is not true."
"Isn't it?" Jeff crossed his legs on the table and smiled smugly.
"Well anyway I have chosen to take modern feminism class next semester. You know you would think that in this day and age feminism wouldn't even have to be debated but just last week i heard a story about a woman who.."
"Aaaah,"
"Noo,"
"Lesbian!"
"Just stop talking."
The simultaneous protests to yet another of Britta's rants on equality cut her off mid-sentence causing the blonde to sit back in her seat and accept defeat. An awkward silence set in allowing Annie to notice a pair of eyes on her which fluttered away the moment she looked in their direction.
Troy was the one to finally break the science by informing the group about the advanced acting course he would be taking. After discussing the remaining members' subjects intercut with with the usual amount of inappropriate comments from Pierce, Troy and Abed announced that they would be moving in together.
"Gays! Homosexuals!" Pierce frantically pointed at the best friends seated side-by-side.
"He's just jealous" the pair said in unison accompanied by their signature handshake/clap thing they did.
"Say hello to my little dean!" came a flamboyant voice as Dean Pelton entered the study room.
"Is it just me or are his lines getting even more out of context?" Jeff asked rhetorically.
"Ahem, well, I just stopped by to remind you all of the end of semester dance tomorrow night in the cafeteria! Oh and it is a black tie event so wear something nice... Jeoffrey," he proclaimed, lightly stroking Jeff's shoulder, "anyway I'll dean you at the dance!" he said exiting the room.
"Great. It's so demeaning to demand women dress in a fancy dresses and heels for the men to decide if we have fulfilled their chauvanistic standards of what women should look like." Before Britta had a chance to give her spiel on how the cosmetic industry was turning women into brainless sex objects the group of lovable misfits got up and left.
~o~
"Do you know what you're going to wear to the dance Annie?" Shirley asked in her usual light, inquisitive voice as they walked out of the library.
"I don't know, I don't have enough money to buy those kinds of formal dresses and I never got a chance to buy one for prom."
"You know one of my friends Jenny has a dress shop. She might be able to lend you one. We could go there tonight and have dinner afterwards, make it a little girls night?"
"That sounds great Shirley! Let me just go tell Britta, we can meet at say 5:30? This is going to be so fun!"
Shirley waved happily as Annie skipped off to find Britta. "Damn, those two just can't do anything without each other can they?" she said to herself in what the group had come to know as her 'don't-mess-with-me' voice.
~o~
"What do you think?" Annie twirled around in the entrance of her dressing room while Britta and Shirley watched in awe. "Is it too much? I knew it would be too much," she rambled nervously.
"Annie you look... amazing" Britta declared, still in shock. The dress that Annie wore was made of a glimmering, sheer silver fabric that draped softly around the tops of her shoulders before crossing over in a V-neck - accentuating her larger chest - and cinching at her small waist. From there it flowed out to the perfect length - just below her ankles in heels - in a way that when she turned the whole thing swished perfectly into a shimmering vision of beauty.
"Really?" She giggled excitedly before doing a few more turns, showing off her amazing outfit.
"Ooh that's nice!" exclaimed Shirley before trotting up to hug Annie. The three friends stood in front of the mirror admiring their new dresses. Britta, in a one-shoulder, figure hugging, simple-but-elegant long black dress (Annie chuckled to herself at the irony of Britta's outfit but didn't say anything), Annie in the middle in her gob-smacking frock, beside Shirley in a conservative, purple, scoop-neck dress that stopped above her crystal-adorned, strappy heels - the hero of her outfit.
"Well, aren't you three going to be the talk of the town after rocking up in these." They turned around to face Shirley's friend Jenny. "I'm just going to need a security deposit in case these get ruined but you will get it back when you return them if all is well."
"Yes of course thank you so much I don't know what I would have done!" Annie chirped greatfully.
"You could just consider the possibility of missing a dance..." Britta mumbled to herself. Annie scoffed at the hypocrisy but chose to ignore it and proceeded to give Jenny the deposit. They filed out of the store and, after confirming there was a vegetarian option for Britta, chose a cute little Italian restaurant to have dinner at.
"So Shirley, is Andre taking you to the dance tomorrow?"
"Thank you for asking Britta. Yes he's going out tomorrow to get a tux with a tie to match my dress."
"Awwww" Annie cooed before returning to read the menu. Britta rolled her eyes but after a scowl from Shirley she decided not to comment.
~o~
After hugging Britta and Shirley goodnight Annie trudged up the stairs of her apartment building with her garment bag folded over her arm. Entering her apartment she leaned on the inside of the door for a second before laying the dress on the back of her couch. She tiredly stepped into her shower and then started brushing her teeth. She lifted her head after spitting her toothpaste in the sink and studied her reflection in the mirror. Sighing, she turned off the light and climbed into bed.
