Missing But Not Gone
Thank you so much to everybody who reviewed, favorited or followed this story! I only have a basic outline for this, so I have no idea how many chapters it's going to be. I'll probably write an ending once you guys start telling me that this is trash. We'll see. Also, Rachel already works at Ralph Lauren because…fanfiction.
Chapter Two
"They- they had you eat dog food?" Joey was slumped forward on Monica and Rachel's couch, his shoulders shaking from laughing too hard.
Monica turned from her position at the kitchen counter and replied, "Yes, Joey. They told me to eat dog food and I did. It wasn't good, okay?"
Ross shrugged beside Joey on the couch. "I don't know, I vaguely remember you seemed to like it plenty in high school when Mom hadn't gone shopping in a while.."
That caused Joey to laugh even harder as Richard tried his hardest to cover his chuckles from the chair.
Chandler's chair, Monica thought, but dismissed the thought, glancing away from where Chandler was trying to get comfortable on a pile of pillows on the floor.
Narrowing her eyes at her older brother, she retorted, "I vaguely remember you screaming when I touched your dinosaur action figure."
"Exact replica," Ross snapped, crossing his arms.
The door slammed open and Rachel danced in, humming a plucky tune that sounded extremely off-beat.
"Hi, sweetie!" she said cheerfully, planting a tender kiss on top of Ross' head.
The other six watched their friend dump her purse into her bedroom and come back out with a spring still in her step, still humming the song.
"Are more children's show characters coming through the door in a moment, Rachel?" Chandler asked, pulling his knees up to his chest.
Rachel rolled her eyes as she settled in between Ross and Phoebe, her legs settled on Ross' lap. "For your information, my boss has invited me to this huge gala tomorrow. Half the people in the fashion industry are going to be there and my boss said he's talked about my work to them and everybody is really impressed!"
Words of encouragement and exclamations filled the room and a smile spread over her face. "Yeah, I know," Rachel said, snuggling into the couch cushions.
"Anyway, can you guys come? Oh, please, it would make me look so good in front of all the big people!"
"Are your bosses just really tall?" Jumping to his feet before Rachel could react, Chandler walked over to the kitchen, handing Monica his plate which caused her to smile. "Yeah, sure, I can go. Sarah might want to go with me too."
"Ooh, Sarah?" Phoebe asked, raising her eyebrow.
Chandler grinned. "I met her at Central Perk the other day. She is way out of my league."
Joey started laughing again. "That doesn't say much, buddy."
"All right, Chandler, thank you so much," Rachel said, clapping her hands together. "Monica? Richard? Please?"
Monica shrugged and walked over to Richard's chair, slinging an arm around him. "I guess we can make it if Richard is not too busy."
"Glad to attend," Richard said, nodding.
Rachel exhaled. "Thank God. That's five people coming with me."
"Five?" asked Ross, visibly confused.
"Oh, honey, if you think I'm going to let my boss think I'm single, you're sadly mistaken," said Rachel with a laugh.
"Well," said Richard, "little Billy Thomas has an absolutely thrilling eye appointment in half an hour and I can't miss that."
He walked to the door, (Chandler let out a sigh of relief and leapt into the chair) his fingers just grazing the doorknob, when Monica called out, rushing up behind him.
"Richard," she said, cupping his face in her hands, "um, later, could we keep talking about that issue?"
Her boyfriend sighed, gently pulling her hands from his face. "Monica, I think I have stated the fact very clearly. We should wait before we move in together."
"B-but- "
"Monica," Richard said firmly, shaking his head, "it just doesn't make sense right now."
He yanked open the apartment door and headed out briskly, leaving Monica, her hands still slightly raised.
"He could try to listen at the least," she said miserably, lowering her hands.
"Oh, Mon," Rachel said, sliding off of the couch and walking to hug her. "I'm so sorry."
"I'm okay," she said once the hug broke and looked around hopefully. "Anyone have any dishes for me to clean? Anyone at all?"
"We already cleaned up from lunch," Phoebe reminded her, "I'm sorry for your loss."
Monica silently walked to the chair where Chandler sat and curling up on the armrest, placing her head on his shoulder. Chandler wrapped a comforting arm around her.
Joey started the movie and they watched like that, snuggled into the chair in the living room, like dozens of times before.
It didn't matter that he didn't say anything. His presence was enough for her.
Metaphors for life in this chapter. I swear that better chapters are on their way! In the meantime, please go check out my Quotev. It would really mean a lot.
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