Note: Just a short drabble for a tiny moment from Season 1. Dialogue is from the episode English as a Second Language.
It was an impulse buy.
Annie remembers that day clearly. She remembers as she surveys her reflection in the mirror, as she smooths her palms over her skirt, and as she straightens her new blouse. Her new, expensive blouse.
She can't remember the last time she made an impulse buy, but the blouse caught her attention immediately. She remembers walking briskly, passing store after store, but the display at a particular boutique made her stop.
She remembers hesitating. But she also remembers telling herself that she's only going to get a closer look, so it really wouldn't matter if she entered the store and checked it out.
It was quite pricey and she needed to buy some essentials. She could name the list she made that morning: more gel grip purple pens, yellow post-its, college ruled notebooks, and colored index cards. Not to mention her rent had to be paid, and it would be nice to have something other than soggy cereal for breakfast.
Even with a number of sound arguments against the wisdom of buying the blouse, something inside of her was saying that she was going to regret it if she didn't buy it.
She grabbed it from the rack and practically marched to the counter, her head bowed, but her steps determined. She didn't even try it on in the store, so she was quite relieved that it fitted her properly. She remembers clutching the purchase to her chest, hurrying out of the boutique, feeling like she's seven years old, sneaking around her mother's closet to play dress up, and afraid to get caught.
"You look like a travel agent."
"You don't like it? I was going for a more professor look."
Annie bites down on her lip and lowers her gaze, feigning bemusement. She is relieved when Abed and Troy comes up to approach them.
She tries to forget the incident and promises to never make another impulse buy.