Prompted by jennynoname: Annie finds out that Jeff really DID go back to the dean's office to get Troy and Abed's "friendship hats." How does she respond?
Word Count: 520
Annie is watching the footage the Guinness guy shot because as much as the war was a terrible experience, it helps her process to see it all flashing across the screen like that. Triggers memories of moments that were forgotten in the fear and the stress of the days blurring together. It's winding down and she's surprised to hear Jeff's voice take over the narration. She's listening carefully now and as she listens to Jeff describe returning to the Dean's office and picking up the hats, as the surveillance footage proves that he actually did just that, a wondering smile spreads across her face. She hears Jeff tell the narrator that he nailed his voiceover and she rolls her eyes even though the smile never leaves her face.
Jeff is content to keep Annie in the dark about how he actually went back to the Dean's office. Normally, he'd be trumpeting his character growth but the reality is, Jeff wasn't lying when he said that he was now writing in a journal, that he had realized he'd do anything for his friends and he isn't sure how he feels about Annie knowing all of that. So, yeah, he's content to let her remain blissfully unaware. He's gotten positive attention just for 'pretending' to go all the way back to the office anyway so it's all good. He's startled from his thoughts as Annie joins him at his side.
"Hey, Jeff."
"Annie. Lunch?"
"Sure. Wait, don't you have The Science of Spiderman right now?" Annie's head is tilted to the side, one eyebrow raised, lips pursed.
"That is the one class I like so if I had it right now, I would be there, Annie. Really. Your lack of faith is hurtful." Jeff's pretty sure Annie can't tell that his fingers are crossed. But really, it's not his fault the course is awful. A great concept, poor execution which should be Greendale's motto.
"So. Jeff." Jeff side-eyes Annie. Her non-sentence feels like it was loaded with meaning but he's certain he could argue that it's definitely not his fault (this time) that he doesn't understand the subtext.
"So. Annie." She huffs exasperatedly at him.
"You went back to the Dean's office for Troy and Abed's friendship hats!" His defeated groan rips out of him before he can stop it. He sighs as a follow up.
"Alright, Annie, what do you want me to say?"
"Nothing, Jeff. I just... That was really sweet. That you believed in their friendship, in being their friend, enough to put aside your cool and go get their hats. That was kind of you, Jeff. I'm really proud of you." Annie's voice is soft and she leans closer to him, sort of hugging his arm. Jeff's hand comes up automatically to grasp at one of hers, curled around his arm.
"I... Thanks, Annie." That's all he says and that's all Annie says on the topic. Jeff realizes that he doesn't know how she found out, doesn't know if she knows the entire context, but he doesn't really need to care about any of that stuff anyway.