*Sorry for the delay, everyone. NYC has been a little crazy and I was having a little trouble focusing. I started another story circle to help me get the creative juices flowing again and we are about to start up the next one! I'm taking a vacation from work this week (I'm an essential worker and have been working through covid) for some much needed R&R and time to really focus on things that make me happy...like this! Thank you all for the comments and follows! You have no idea how great it is to see those! Enough about me, back to Greendale!

Chapter 15 – Intro to Subletting and Roommate Equality

Jeff and Annie sat waiting in the study room for the rest of the group to arrive. They were still worried about Abed, unsure if Rachel had been able to help. Jeff looked over at Annie who was finger combing her hair almost violently fast and absent-mindedly.

"Annie, you okay?" His voice seemed to snap her out of her trance.

"Me? Yeah. Pfhhh totally." He reached over and pulled her hand down from her hair.

"Your hair is too pretty to be ripping it all out." She gave him a half smile and put her hands in her lap.

"Jeffrey! Oh, hi Annie." The Dean was immediately disappointed when he saw her. "I have the forms ready if…this…is still happening." He gave Annie an annoyed glance and took his seat. "Take that as a yes." He rolled his eyes as he pulled the forms from a folder and grabbed a pen.

"First, how long have you been doing it?"

"Dean." Jeff was less than amused the second time around, especially since it was Annie this time. She shouldn't have to go through this ridiculous invasion of privacy.

"That cannot be a real question! Jeff!?"

"It is very much a question on that thing. Dean, do we really have to answer these?"

"Now Jeffrey, you know-"

"Abed!" The Dean was cut off by Annie's surprise. He walked in and took his usual seat, acting completely Abed, as if nothing happened.

"Hey Annie. How's Jeff's apartment treating you?"

Annie smiled and began to relax. "It's good. I mean, he doesn't celebrate Marathon Monday but I'm working on it."

"Jeff, you're missing out. Three Mondays ago, we watched all five Die Hards."

"All five? Why?"

"Yeah, it became more like work towards the end."

"So, again I ask, why?"

Annie interjected. "Because it's fun. You become so immersed in the character and the storyline that the stakes get higher, the emotions hit harder…and the plot holes become way more obvious."

"I was thinking about doing Lethal Weapon next week. You two should join us."

"Us?" Annie asked curiously.

"Oh, Rachel is moving into your old bedroom. I hope you don't mind. She is losing her lease and I needed a roommate."

"Why would I mind? I'm glad you have someone to help with the rent." Annie looked over at Jeff and gave him a silent squeal.

The rest of the group arrived and the meeting went on per usual. Duncan stared at Britta as she discussed her latest passion project: homelessness in Greendale.

"We really need to do something about this! Do you know one in five people in the Greendale area are living in tents?"

"I feel like that's not true…" Annie was skeptical. Britta's 'facts' were oftentimes lightly dusted with reality but constructed almost entirely of bullshit.

"Well, I'm making a statement. The people need to know. I've set up my own tent right here out on the quad to wake people up about this issue! I won't sleep indoors until we all sleep indoors!"

"Britta, why are you really living in a tent? You're not just doing this as one of your fun projects. You hate the outside." Though he sounded less than concerned, Jeff was worried about her. He had been so busy with Annie lately that he and Britta were drifting apart. He needed to check up on her more. While she acts tough and independent, she relied on the entire group for support, who luckily was financially supported by George and Deb.

"It's not about comfort and fun, Jeff. It's about a revolution!" Britta said passionately.

"Well, best of luck with your revolution. If you want a place to sleep indoors, my couch is always available." He patted her on the shoulder as he got up to leave. She was so stubborn, but he knew it was just a matter of time before he had another roommate.

"You know, I just so happen to have a spare bedroom-", Duncan volunteered.

"I'm not homeless! I'm protesting! The people have a right to know!"

"Right. Well, I'll be there with a bottle, or three, so drop by anytime." Duncan gave her a smile as he left and she snarled at him. As soon as he was out of eyesight, she smiled.