Disclaimer: Do you guys honestly think I own them?
A/N: Just as a side note, this story seems all light and fluffy now, but I assure you, it gets a lot better haha. Like I said, this was my first fic, I wrote all this months ago, it got a lot better as I got used to it.
Rachel woke up around noon. She felt something on her shoulder, and turned her head to see Ross laying right up next to her. She was a bit startled, but after looking at him fast asleep, she couldn't wake him up. And it was strange, but she didn't feel uncomfortable or weird that he was there. She shifted slightly to gain more comfort for herself, and just sat back and relaxed.
Ross woke up only a few minutes later, only to realize his head was buried in Rachel's shoulder.
"Oh wow . . .I'm sorry, how did I get over here?", he inquired, embarrassed.
"I don't know," she said with a smile. "I woke up and there you were. You must have rolled in your sleep."
"You didn't just shove my head over?", he asked with a laugh. Rachel shook her head.
"I didn't feel like waking you up, you seemed like you were still really tired."
"Yeah . . .yeah, I couldn't sleep last night."
"It wasn't easy for me, either . . ." She took a deep breath, as if about to tell him something.
"Are you okay?", asked Ross, unsure of what was about to come. He couldn't tell if this was a good moment, or a bad moment. And he was scared no matter which one it was. She looked at him, trying to find the right words to explain.
"Okay, Ross . . .I didn't tell you the whole truth about prom." Ross looked at her, with surprise on his face. "The truth is . . .Chip was a jerk. A big one. I spent two hours looking for him."
" . . .Where was he?"
"In bed with another girl." Rachel looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I mean, I thought he was so perfect. Whats wrong with me, huh? Why did he have to . . .to do that?"
Ross was in shock. Yet, in a situation where he would normally have trouble finding the right words, they just came out. "I'm so sorry, Rach. I really am." He pulled her into a hug. "You don't deserve that, you're a really great girl. That guy doesn't know what he's missing."
Rachel smiled at him. "Thanks, Ross."
"Why didn't you tell me this last night?", he asked, pulling away.
"I don't know . . .I wanted to sound less pathetic, I guess. And you were already so sure that he was a jerk, and I didn't want to admit that you were right . . .to admit I made a mistake"
"That's not pathetic on your part, Rach. The guy's an idiot."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Why couldn't you admit I was right? I mean, he really was a jerk. Look at you- he had no reason to do that."
"I know. You're right." She looked up at him. "Well . . .I guess I better get ready. Your mom's picking up Mon and me later today."
"Oh yeah . . .", Ross said, dissapointed. "Go ahead, you can use the bathroom first. Meanwhile, where did my roommate and sister go?"
Rachel retreated to the bathroom just as Ross heard laughing down the hall. It was Monica and Chandler . . .and for once, it wasn't Monica laughing at Chandler. She was laughing with him.
Ross went and opened the door just as Monica and Chandler got to it. " . . .this is new", he said, referring to the two of them getting along.
"What?", replied Monica, acting as if nothing was different. "I'm capable of being nice."
"Yeah, if your meal's being held hostage," Ross retorted.
"Hey, man, leave her alone!", Chandler warned him. Ross gave him a blank stare.
"Oh, so you're her bodyguard now? You might want to try that one the other way around, usually the bigger you are, the better you tackle."
Rachel came out of the bathroom, ready for the day, only to find Ross and Chandler in a fist-fight . . .or however close to one they could get. Neither was very tough, or very strong, or very skilled in "battle".
"Ross, Chandler, what are you doing?"
"CHANDLER, kick him in the leg!", Monica cheered on from the doorway. "Now Ross, pull his arm!"
"Monica, they could get hurt!" Rachel ran over to the fight, and tried to pull Ross out from under Chandler. When that proved unsuccessful, she hauled off and hit Chandler square on the back.
"OW!", he yelled in pain, stopping what he was doing. "What was that for?"
"What the hell is going on?", she demanded.
"I don't know, he started attacking me!", said Ross, out of breath.
"He was making fun of Monica!"
"So? He always does that," replied Rachel, confused.
"Well . . .its not very nice!" Chandler stopped to think for a second. "Were you cheering him on, too?", he asked Monica.
"You both fight like girls, so I couldn't really pick a winner to cheer for," she said.
"Whatever . . ." Ross really didn't know what was going on. Why had Chandler just tried to jump him? He usually joined in the Monica jokes when she wasn't around, so why would he care if Ross said them when she was? "Umm, Rachel? Wanna go get a bite to eat..."
"Yeah, sure." Rachel was confused too. Did Chandler like Monica back? She gave the two one last curious glance before following Ross out into the hallway.
However, both were stopped short by Monica and Ross's mother walking up the hallway.
"Hello Ross!", she said, and gave him a big hug. "I'm here to get the girls! I came a bit early, I'm sure you don't mind."
Ross's hopes sunk. He had just about to leave with Rachel, just the two of them. His mom had the worst timing.
"Hi, mom. I don't think they're ready . . .", he looked hopelessly at Rachel.
"Yeah, we need to pack," she told his mom. Monica nodded in agreement.
"This could take awhile," said Chandler.
"Mom, why don't we go get some lunch and let them pack?", asked Ross.
"Sure," his mother replied skeptically. "Um . . .just the two of us." Chandler flashed Ross a "what-is-up-with-her?" look. Ross shrugged back and led his mom out.
"So . . .", Rachel stared knowingly at Monica and Chandler. "Sounds like you two were having fun."
Monica and Chandler exchanged glances. "I dunno, I was feeling in a good mood," replied Monica. "I had a good dream."
Chandler jumped to his usual defensive ways to reply. "Yeah, well you were pretty cozy with Ross there."
Rachel turned beet red. "There was only one blanket . . .he just kinda rolled . . .nothing happened!", she blurted out, in an attempt to explain.
"Suuure," said Chandler with a sly smile. "You do know he's got it bad for you, right?"
Rachel's blush turned an even deeper shade of scarlet. "Yes," she said, in a tone that said "duh". "I just don't see him that way," she tried to convince them.
"Yeah, Chandler. Rachel doesn't like my brother- eww!"
I don't think I like your brother, thought Rachel. I'm just not sure ...
Chandler felt like he should leave to let the girls gab. "Well, guys, I think I'm gonna go for a walk . . .to . . .think," he told them, uncertain of what just came out of his mouth.
"Okay," said Monica, a little dissapointed. "I'll see you this summer?", she asked him hopefully.
"Yeah, sure." He smiled at her and left.
Rachel stared at the door. "Chandler can think?" Monica flashed her a "har-har" smile and began packing. Rachel joined her.
"Ya know," said Rachel. "I actually had fun last night."
"I fell asleep, what happened?"
"Well, I don't know, when the movie finished we just talked." She looked at Monica. "Chandler kept looking at you sleeping. Then when we brought it up, he acted really strange and then went right to bed. It was weird."
"He did?" Monica tried to hide a smile.
"Yeah . . .yeah, is there anything going on, you know, between-"
"NO! No, with that loser? Never!" She glanced at the door. " . . .We did have a good time at breakfast, though." Monica smiled to herself, remembering a funny conversation the two of them had there. She had tried so hard to make him think she hated him, but she was really beginning to like being friends. But she didn't want to admit anything to Rachel, so she tried to change the subject. "So what did you do after Chandler went to bed?"
"Oh, I don't know. Talked to Ross a little, but then we went to bed, too."
"Oh yeah, same blanket." Monica realized that they never got an explanation about that, and she was extremely curious. "What was that about?"
"There was only one, come on. Its not my fault they're too cheap to buy two blankets, they're college guys! Its what they do."
"Uh-huh," Monica replied. She looked up from what she was doing to see Rachel. A big smile was spread across her face, and Monica could have sworn she heard her humming quietly to herself. She was somewhat shocked at what she was witnessing.
Rachel is falling hard for Ross!
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"Come on, Monica. God, you brother could always carry his own suitcase, I don't see why you need . . .Chandler," their mom made a face, "to help you."
"Mom, will you calm down, he's just giving me a hand." She shoved her pillow into her dufflebag. Chandler grabbed one end, she grabbed the other, and they heaved it off the ground.
"Yes, well, I'll come with to . . .er, supervise." Monica, Chandler, and Mrs. Gellar left the dorm room with Monica's stuff.
Rachel finished stuffing the last of her things in her huge suitcase. "God, I really didn't need all these clothes."
"Yeah, it was only one night," Ross replied with a laugh.
"Well, I wanted to be prepared. In case we went anywhere, you know." She zipped up the luggage, and turned to Ross.
"Yeah . . .I'm sorry we didn't get to take you to any parties. Monica said that was the only reason you came."
"I actually don't mind. It was still fun," she told him, and smiled. "Would you mind helping me with this? Oh, and lets try just dragging it this time."
"My back thanks you," he replied, causing her to giggle.
The two of them took ahold of the large strap at the top of the suitcase, and dragged it out into the hallway, down the stairs, and out into the parking lot, where the others were waiting. Mrs. Gellar was already at the wheel, with Monica sitting shotgun, and Chandler chatting to her through the window. Rachel saw Monica excessively giggling while her mother looked on worried. Could Mon be any more obvious?
Ross pulled the trunk open, and the two of them attempted to heave the suitcase in. Chandler caught them in the corner of his eye, failing miserably.
"You know what, Mon, I think I should go help them before your brother breaks another vertabre." He looked at her. "This summer?"
"This summer," Monica replied, with a smile. He waved, and walked to the back of the car to help, while Mrs. Gellar began to question Monica about Chandler's behavior during the visit.
"Have no fear, Chandler's here!", he exclaimed. He took a hold of the bottom of the suitcase, and helped Ross and Rachel get it into the trunk. They thanked him, then just stood there. Chandler sensed that he should leave them alone. "I'm gonna head back inside, catch ya there Ross."
"So . . ." Ross looked at Rachel. Rachel lifted her head and met his gaze. For a moment, Ross lost himself in her eyes. She found herself unable to look away, too. Eventually, though, she broke the silence.
"Thanks for everything, Ross. Really, I mean it. You made me feel better about the whole prom thing."
He smiled at her. "That's why I'm here." He pulled her into a tight hug, and the two of them stood there a moment. Ross got himself to pull away. "Bye, Rachel. I'll see you this summer."
"Yeah," she said back. He looked at her, and in a moment of courage, bent down and kissed her cheek, taking her by surprise. He gave her a smile, said goodbye, and turned to go back to the dorm.
"Bye . . ." She touched the place on her cheek where he kissed her. He kissed me . . .on the cheek, but still! She realized how much strength that must have taken him to do. Wow . . .
She smiled, turned around, and got into the backseat of the car.
"Why did you take so long?", asked Monica from the front seat, as Mrs. Gellar began to leave the parking lot.
"Oh, nothing. Just trouble with the suitcase."
"Yeah, you needed about one percent of what you brought," Monica said back.
Rachel didn't even hear her, she had other things on her mind. She smiled to herself, and stared out of the window as they drove back home.
Fluff is fun but I like this story so much better further on... haha. Reviews would rock!