Six Days Later. . .
A single light burned over the dining room table when Abed opened the door to the apartment. Annie raised her head and blinked at him sleepily. Then she seemed to recognize him and her eyes narrowed, "You!" She said, pointing a finger at him and then at the chair across from her, "Sit."
"I'm really tired, Annie. Could we do this in the morning?" Abed opened his mouth and attempted a yawn.
"I'd say sure if I thought you would be here in the morning but we both know you won't be. You've been avoiding me."
"I've been very busy with my shooting schedule and-"
"Don't lie to me! Garrett said you haven't had a project for weeks. You just didn't want to talk about the emails."
"What emails?" He blinked.
Annie took a deep breath, "You know what emails. Look Abed, I know it's a hard time for you. And I waited until Troy was gone so I wouldn't infringe on your last couple of weeks with him. But I need to talk about this. How could you catfish me? How could you play with my heart for- for pancakes?!"
"I did it in the name of breakfast."
"Do you honestly think that's a good enough reason?"
Annie's hands tightened to fists and then relaxed. Under the table, she pressed her feet hard against the floor and then let up. Abed watched, his head tilted to the side. When she looked back her expression was neutral again.
"I know you struggle with empathy. Could you please, try to see this from my perspective?" She asked.
"Like you're trying to see it from mine?"
"But- wait, what?" Annie frowned at him in confusion.
Abed leaned down, the overhead light sliding over his strong features. The world beyond the kitchen, beyond the circle of light fell away. His dark eyes met hers for a moment and her breath stopped in her chest.
"Why did I do that, Annie?"
Then he was gone.
Annie stared open mouthed at the sheet that served as the door to his room, trembling in his wake.