Authors note – I've debated about whether to write and post this story as there are few already on here about Ross and Chandler's college days but I really wanted to write my own version of events so I thought why not!

If the interest is there I'll carry on with the story – I've got a couple more chapters outlined in my head that I can update at least!

Oh and if anyone can help me I would really like to know where Monica and Ross' parents house was – was it actually said in the show? (I can't remember if they mentioned it when they visited or when Jack and Judy sold the house…)

So yeah any help would be appreciated!

Please read and review (I hate to beg but I'd love some feedback) and let me know what you think. Thank you!

Chandler Bing stepped out of the car and grabbed his bag from the back seat. He walked round to the driver's side where Nora wound down the window; she pushed her sunglasses onto the top of her head and rested her arm over the side of the car.

'I'm gonna miss you honey.' She said ruffling Chandler's hair.

Chandler backed away uncomfortable with the display of affection.

'Nah you won't.' He replied readjusting his hair.

'Oh don't be like that kiddo – I will miss you, it won't be the same around the house without you but I am so proud of you for getting into college – you know that?'

Chandler faked throwing up and Nora sighed, that boy was so stubborn sometimes.

'Mum you're hardly ever at home anyway.' Chandler told her bluntly. 'Most of the time you're on book tours and when you are at home you're busy writing novels or spending time with potential step fathers. When you factor in the amount of time I've spent stuck at boarding school we're lucky if we see each other once a month!'

'Chandler.' Nora warned – she didn't want to get into a fight.

'Yeh, yeh sorry.' Chandler sighed.

'So… have fun.' Nora offered.

'I'll try.' Chandler mocked – his mum really got on his nerves sometimes. Of course he loved her but she was a constant embarrassment to him, he hadn't exactly had an easy childhood and his mother just happened to be one of the causes of that - hence the use of his sarcasm as a defence mechanism. If he made fun of other people they couldn't make fun of him! Still he was glad to finally be leaving his screwy life behind; hopefully here no one had heard of books called Mistress Bitch and gay burlesque shows that went by the name of Viva Las Gaygas. For just once he hoped college would bring a touch of normality.

Nora gave her son a look and he dropped the sarcasm – for that moment at least.

'I'll miss you too mum.' He relented.

Nora smiled and looked at her watch. 'I've gotta go now sweetie, my plane leaves soon, Paul will be by later to drop off the rest of your stuff.' She told him.

Chandler shrugged his shoulders. 'Shame I was hoping to go for the minimalist look.'

Nora laughed despite herself; the sarcasm hadn't taken long to return. She grabbed Chandler's jacket, pulled him to the car window, and kissed him on the cheek. Chandler looked horrified and glanced around to check no one had seen, confident no one had he started to mess with his hair and slung his bag over his shoulder.

Nora laughed at Chandler's insecurity –as much as he tried to come across as cocky and defiant she knew the truth; her son had many hang ups! But she loved him for every single one of them!

'I'll cya soon slugger, love you' She told him.

'Could you be any more of a liar?' Chandler joked.

'Oh shut up.' Nora laughed. 'You know I do.'

'Yeh I know.' Chandler replied.

Nora waved at her son then put her sunglasses back on and drove away.

Chandler watched the car drive away, sure he and his mum had an odd relationship but it worked for them. He would miss her but this was familiar to him, he was used to boarding school and to his mum not being around to let it bother him!

He turned away then and looked up at the dorms – his home for the next four years.

A smile broke out onto his face and his eyes lit up!

FREEDOM.

Parties, girls and more girls – with the odd bit of studying thrown in here and there Chandler supposed.

He rummaged around in his bag, pulled out his cigarettes and took one out of the pack, he lit it and taking a drag wondered where to go first.

He spotted a group of girls hanging around the fountain and made his way over to them – he figured moving in could wait a while yet…