Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Community.
A/N: Okay guys this is my first fanfiction! It's based off a close friendship I have with one of my friends, and this is the first of 8 chapters (possibly more). I hope you guys enjoy! Rated T for dark themes. Britta might seem OOC but it is later explained. Reviews are welcome :)

Chapter 1: A Change in Annie

Britta only knew a few different styles of clothing. She never really paid attention to girls in high school and she hated shopping, thus her only knowledge of clothes came from two places: the Dean, and the two girls in her study group. She knew her style which consisted of (faux, of course) leather boots and jackets, Shirley's style of clothing which is modest, the Dean's which is uh, very much the Deans style, and Annie's style which was cute, adorable, all cardigans and skirts. Annie liked looking adorable. After one shopping trip with Annie, Britta knew Annie took pride in what she wore. But recently Annie had started to not care as much.

A few days ago Annie had come in to the study group wearing just jeans, a light green jacket and ballet flats. The next day at Senior Kevin's for lunch and Annie wore a long sleeve grey top, jeans and the same ballet flats again. Britta made a comment "Did ya run out of skirts and cardigans Annie?" And in return Annie just gave a nervous laugh and smile. On the third day Annie had on a heavy dark blue jacket with pair of jeans and ballet flats. Britta began to question Annie and why she was dressing the way she was.

"Any weekend plans?" Shirley asked to the study group sitting around the table.
"I've got a smoking hot date," Pierce said confidently.
"How much did she cost?" Jeff quickly interjected not looking up from his Blackberry.
"Abed and I are crashing at Pavel's tonight. Kick puncher marathon and then Inspector Spacetime!" Troy enthused then proceeding to do him and Abed's secret handshake.
"Well I'm taking the boys to see the Hunger Games. I think Jordan has a crush on Katniss which is too cute!" Shirley said while Abed approved the movie by a nod, Troy "aww-ed," and Jeff laughed.
"What are you doing this weekend Annie?" Britta had asked Annie who was engaged in zoning out into space.
"Huh?" Annie had snapped out of her trance.
"What are you doing this weekend Annie? Seems like you've got the apartment to yourself."
"Oh just you know studying, and whatever," Annie had said clearly still out of it and Britta just nodding.

Something was up with Annie, and Britta didn't know what. She wasn't herself this past week, she wasn't dressing the same, acting the same, and she had even stayed home earlier this week on Monday claiming to feel ill. Even though Britta knew she was lying, she knew it wasn't her business.

"I've got to leave," Annie said while muttering and after she had abruptly gotten up from her seat and gotten her stuff.
"Bye pumpkin!" Shirley waved.
Britta didn't say goodbye to Annie, as she was still perplexed.

Britta got home still thinking about Annie. She mentally started reading her psychology book and while she was walking to her couch with a plate of organic whole grain pasta she came to a realization of many things. Someone is abusing her, she is harming herself, she is depressed and needs help. She's going to kill herself. No she's not. Annie? No, she couldn't. She was just tired and recovering from a cold. She probably was just getting stressed with all the finals and projects coming up. That's right, Annie was fine. That's what Britta believed for about fifteen minutes until she decided it was time to call Annie. Britta impatiently paced the floor waiting for her to pick up.

"Hello?" Annie had said with a perky voice.
"Hey" Britta said embarrassed that she had begun to worry about Annie because she sounded fine.
"Is everything okay?" Annie asked.
"No yeah, everything's fine. I was just wondering if you wanted some overnight company." Britta had asked in the most awkward way possible.
"Company?" Annie was obviously confused.
"Well yeah, because you were there for me when Blade's circus was in town and…" Britta muted herself after she realized she had continued the sentence with an "and."
"And…?"
"And you've just been looking a little down so I thought you might want company. And besides what kind of big sis would I be if I just ignored the fact you were looking a little down." Britta was trying to make an attempt to lighten the situation.
"You still think of me like a little sister?"
"Duh doy! Just because I wanted my phone back doesn't mean I was lying, Annie. You're my friend." She had forced a laugh.
Annie laughed which was a relief to Britta. "Sure come on over, the boys aren't here so we can watch a movie or something."
"Great, how's Easy A?"
"Perfect," Annie paused, "And Britta?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think you can lend me that really cute shirt you wore to Troy and Abed's house warming party, you know it had three colors, navy, grey, and black?"
"Oh I know what shirt you talking about. Sure I can lend it to you." Britta said really confused. Annie's style was not Britta's, but whatever she was willing to lend a shirt to her friend.
"Thanks, and thanks for caring"
"Of course."

After Britta hung up she slightly regretted inviting herself over to Annie's. Simply because it meant she would have endure the whole "girl talk" thing, which she knew Annie might still be into. And if they were now exchanging clothes, Britta had to gear herself up to have a "girl's night." But Annie had matured a little, so she had some hopes of this not being of gossipy, typical teenage girl sleepover. She packed a small overnight bag with the shirt Annie asked for, and some other items. Britta threw on her pair of Victoria's Secret sweat pants and a tank top and took off for Annie, Troy and Abed's apartment.

When she got to Annie's she answered the door in a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt. Britta put her small bag of overnight things by the couch then Annie had offered her food and something to drink.

"Oh no, I'm fine thanks but I'm going to use you're restroom."
"Okay, well I'm going to put the movie in."

Britta walked to the restroom thinking Annie seemed to be doing better now than this morning. She shut the door and walked to the toilet. Something from the medicine cabinet fell out as a result of shutting the door too hard. Britta went to go put the bottle of lightly colored nail polish back and she was taken back at what she saw in the cabinet. Scissors, pieces of glass, razor blades, even a cardboard box cutter, all covered in stained blood. Britta's heart nearly stopped. It all made sense, the long sleeves, the jackets, the odd attitude, everything. Being a psych major she had read about this a lot, but now that it was happening to a friend Britta didn't know what to do.

Her emotions turned from shocked to extreme worry. She stormed out of the restroom and found Annie in the kitchen standing by the microwave popping popcorn.

"Britta what's wrong." Annie asked looking slightly confused as to why had stormed out of the restroom and charged for Annie.

Britta didn't say anything. She just took Annie's hand and pulled the sweatshirt sleeve up to reveal many deep gashes in Annie's skin and Britta gasped. Britta was too quick for Annie to stop her and she hung her head in shame while Britta's hand gently moved over the slits in her friend's wrist. She looked at Annie in the eyes, and Annie was now crying which was beginning to make Britta emotional.

"Why, Annie? Why?" Britta's voice cracked while pulling Annie into a tight hug while she sobbed.
"Shh," Britta hushed her friend, "it's going to be okay."