It takes seven seasons and 146 episodes, but the group of friends and roommates that make up New Girl eventually manage to navigate adulthood and grow up. They might make some incredible mistakes along the way, but none of them would have gotten through it if it wasn't for the friendship they share in the loft at the center of the show.
Of course, many of the friendships predate Jessica Day moving into that loft at all. The guys all meet long before moving in together while Jess and Cece meet in middle school. Jess and Cece maintain their friendship for over 20 years, always standing by one another's side when they need it, even if it's a little awkward. While there are dozens of times the two prove themselves friendship goals, these scenes are great examples of how strong Jess and Cece's friendship really is.
Cece Threatens To "Crazy Murder" The Guys
In the first episode of New Girl, Cece gets an introduction to Jess' new roommates that doesn't see her have much faith in them. Instead, she ends up a little worried about her best friend. Though the guys manage to convince Jess to get back into the dating world after her boyfriend cheated on her, Cece comes over to help her the night of her first date.
Cece doesn't have to spend long with Nick, Schmidt, and Coach before her protective side emerges. She promises them that if they hurt Jess, she won't hesitate to "crazy murder" them. Considering Jess just moved in with three strangers she met on the internet, Cece's threat comes from a very real and loving place.
Jess Brings Cece To Stay At The Loft
Cece has a habit of opening her apartment up to people she's just met. Friends who work the modeling circuit frequently stay, but so do guys Cece has only been seeing for a few weeks. When her newest boyfriend kisses another girl in front of her at a club, she calls Jess for a ride.
Jess doesn't just pick her up from the club in her pajamas but brings her back to the loft so she can stay there for a few days. Jess knows full well how dramatic Cece can be and how much her staying at the loft might disrupt the lives of her roommates, but she warns them, and she puts Cece first.
Cece Wears The Ribbon Hat
During her work as a model, it's probably safe to say that Cece has had to wear some ensembles she'd rather not. She's willing to wear pretty much anything, no matter how ridiculous she looks, if Jess is the one providing it too.
When Jess, Cece, and Sadie discuss Jess's interactions with Nick's girlfriend Julia in the first season, they also discuss just how sneaky women can be with their insults. That leads to Jess talking about her ribbon hat being made fun of, which Cece demands Jess find so she can wear it right then. It's not the only time Cece wears something that she knows will make Jess happy. She also proudly dons a fake mustache to a Christmas party despite her date not liking it.
Jess Tries To Save Cece's Wedding
Jess absolutely believes that Cece is rushing her walk down the aisle in the second season, and she even tries to get her to slow down at one point. When it's clear that Cece doesn't intend to do that, however, Jess is all about making Cece's dreams come true.
On the day of the ceremony, Jess is all over Schmidt when he gets it into his head to stop the wedding. She even jeopardizes her burgeoning relationship with Nick when she thinks he's involved in Schmidt's plans. Jess goes out of her way to make Cece happy, though, in the end, Cece really doesn't want to get married after all.
Cece Understands Jess' Feelings About Caroline
Cece is the first one to realize that there's something between Nick and Jess, and when she vocalizes that in the fifth episode of the series, things get a little awkward, but the subject is dropped. When Jess breaks up with Russell by the end of the first season, however, it's right when Nick gets back together with Caroline.
Jess spends the night after her breakup playing "River" on repeat until Cece tries to get her to get out of the apartment. It's not until Nick and Caroline come to show her a dance Caroline made up to the song that Cece is able to get Jess out of the apartment. Cece takes one look at Nick and Caroline and says, "you ready now," knowing that Caroline might be Jess's least favorite person. It's not commented on overtly, but Cece's face says it all.
Jess Tries To Get Cece And Nick Together
About a year after Nick and Jess break up, Jess gets it into her head that Cece has developed feelings for Nick. Much like her best friend, Jess isn't content to just let that knowledge sit there. Though Cece really has feelings for Schmidt, Jess doesn't realize that and sets out to get them together.
Due to a miscommunication, Jess thinks Nick isn't interested in Cece, and while the group is confined to the loft trying to catch a spider, Jess sets her sights on convincing Nick how great Cece is. The entire situation is one of the most hilarious misunderstandings in the show as Jess even resorts to locking Cece and Nick in a room together so they can talk things out.
Cece Plays True American For Jess
True American is a popular pastime for the loft. The group has no problem staying up until dawn drinking, reciting American history facts, and jumping on furniture - as long as they don't have something important to do the next day. The night before Cece and Schmidt's wedding, they've all made the decision to go to be early and avoid a hangover until Cece suddenly declares they're all playing True American.
Cece does it because Jess discovers an engagement ring in Sam's coat pocket, and she realizes that she doesn't want to spend the rest of her life with him. Jess wants to avoid talking to him for as long as possible, so Cece risks everyone's ability to coherently get through her wedding to delay the confrontation.
Jess Fixes Cece's Wedding Dress
For quite a bit of Schmidt and Cece's wedding preparations, Jess is actually out of the loop. That's because she's sequestered on jury duty. It's Winston who tags along with Cece to give opinions on wedding dresses and, under the influence of champagne, the two end up buying a dress Cece later hates.
Jess promises to fix the dress, though she waits until the last minute to do it. The trouble is that Jess finds her creativity blocked because she wants it to be absolutely perfect for Cece, and the light-up crystals on the dress really throw her. She ends up turning the dress inside out and working on the other side of the fabric.
Cece Hides Jess From Nick
During the sixth season of the series, Jess tries to move on from Nick with Cece and Schmidt the only ones who know the extent of her inner turmoil. While Schmidt eventually cracks and gets Nick to admit he's still in love with Jess, Cece never betrays Jess' secret.
In fact, Cece actively hides Jess from Nick. When Nick wonders why Jess isn't returning his calls when she goes to see her dad, Cece doesn't explain Jess's motives. She also allows Jess to hide from Nick in her house when she's not ready to talk to him. Cece does whatever she can to help her friend until Jess is ready.
Jess Tells Schmidt How Cece Feels
Interestingly, Jess is placed in a similar situation by Cece two seasons earlier. In the fourth season, once Jess knows that Cece still has feelings for Schmidt, she does what Cece will later do for her, and keeps her friend's secret. The difference is, Jess is actually privy to Schmidt's feelings as well, something Cece doesn't get from Nick.
Once Jess realizes that Schmidt is still head over heels for Cece, unable to get rid of mementos from their relationship, she tells Schmidt that Cece isn't over him either. The reveal prompts Schmidt to fight for Cece, and he immediately asks her to marry him.