Hi everyone! This is part three of three part series. It actually will probably need another conclusion chapter that takes place a little after this chapter. Basically Rachel is the new girl in high school and its around homecoming time in her sophomore year. Monica Gellar is also a popular sophomore and Ross, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey are seniors. Richard Burke is also a senior who Monica has a huge crush on. Hope you like this. Own the story not the characters. Feedback is welcome :)
Rachel spun around 360 degrees criticizing her appearance in the dressing room mirror. Her lemon dress fell just above her knees accenting her slim figure. The bodice had silver sequins and the bottom puffed out dramatically.
"i think this is the one!" her mother clapped her hands thrilled. "I can just imagine how beautiful you will look as sophomore class homecoming queen!" her mother praised.
"Rachel you're so beautiful!" Jill her 8th grade sister complimented from her seat next to the pile of dresses Rachel had discarded.
Rachel gave them a bitchy look from her position in front of the mirror. "I doubt I'll be homecoming queen when I've only been going to this school a few weeks."
"Not with that attitude," her mother replied. Mrs. Greene had won many crowns in her day and expected nothing less of her daughters.
"I don't even care if I go to be honest. I already got back on the cheer team isn't that enough?" Rachel pouted.
"Honey what's wrong?"her mother asked in concern.
"I don't know" Rachel murmured.
"What's the problem Rach...daddy's paying for the dress?" Jill even looked confused.
Rachel glared at Jill's reflection. "Jill I just don't want to go to homecoming!" Rachel yelled. She started taking the dress off and threw it on the floor. Her mother promptly replaced it onto the hanger.
"Why?" Jill said. "You don't even sound like you."
"Since we moved here and breaking up with Barry..and trying to make all these new friends" Rachel searched for the right words to express her feelings.
"I thought you were going with Paulo now?" Jill asked studying her new manicure for any flaws.
"He asked me but that doesn't mean I want to go with him," Rachel declared.
"I can't wait til I'm in high school and have hot guys like Paulo asking me out," Jill said dreamily not getting her sister's point.
"Well I can wait!" their mother laughed uneasily. "Hurry up and get dressed Rachey. Jill and I will purchase the dress and meet you out front."
Alone in the dressing room, Rachel stared at her reflection. Why did she feel so miserable? Because you want to go with Ross not Paulo some little voice answered silently. Rachel shook her head, adjusted her pink mini dress and pulling on her jean jacket, and went to meet her mother and sister, working hard to keep her fake smile in place.
The following day was Monday. By lunchtime, Rachel had flunked her geometry quiz and got hit twice in the face during dodge ball. So much for the teacher's no hitting in the head rule. She guessed she made herself and easy target though, considering all she could think about was how she had to give Paulo an answer about homecoming at lunch today. And here she was at lunch and a few minutes away from telling him...yes? That was definitely the "right" answer in everyone else's opinion. Standing in the lunchline she halfheartedly picked up her chicken sandwich, fruit, and milk.
"Hey Rachel over here!" A few other girl's wearing cheer uniforms that matched her own waved at her. Rachel gave a weak smile as she exited the lunch line. She caught Paulo's eye sitting next to Monica and Richard.
Suddenly, she couldn't go through with it. She darted around a few other kids going to the tables and headed in a completely different direction. Somehow she found herself at Ross, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe's table.
"Hey Rachel!" Ross said.
"Hi" she smiled, feeling very self-conscious. She had no clue why because at her other school she had nothing but confidence. Now she was stopped next to an all senior lunch table and she was a sophomore feeling more like a baby.
"Are you sitting here?" Ross asked, starting to clear a spot.
"Her? No underclassmen," Joey said, but sounded sort of joking.
"Sure I guess" Rachel said, setting her tray next to Phoebe's guitar.
Everybody started talking and eating until Monica stomped over a few minutes later.
"Rachel!"
"Monica!" Rachel looked up from her conversation with Phoebe.
"I know you're new here but cheerleaders eat together. Everyday. Over there." Monica placed her hand on her hip.
"I didn't know that was a rule," Rachel responded.
"Plus Paulo is waiting on you. So we can make arrangements for homecoming."
"Monica, I'm not going with Paulo." Rachel said quietly.
"What? What!" Monica demanded.
"I thought about it. Really. But I just – don't want to," Rachel finished figuring honesty was just about her only option.
"Rachel what is wrong with you. I know you took a few hits in dodgeball maybe you do need to go to the nurse." Monica seemed mad.
"No I'm fine and that's the last time I play on any team against you," Rachel said.
"Fine," Monica sat down bumping into Chandler as she pulled a chair next to Rachel. "Just tell me why you changed your mind about Paulo."
"Mon just leave it alone," Ross said.
"Shut-up Ross," Monica yelled.
"Monica there is no reason," Rachel stood to throw her tray out. Her appetite was completely gone. "I'm gonna go tell him right now."
"Is there someone else?" Monica asked but came off more like an accusation.
Rachel gave a nervous laugh, catching everyone off guard.
"OMG there is! Who is it?"Monica demanded jumping out of her seat so fast Chandler spilled gatorade everywhere. "Chandler you're gonna wreck my uniform!" Monica shrieked.
"Tragedy!" Chandler intoned throwing napkins on the lime puddle.
"Rachel please tell me. If we're gonna cheer together for the next 3 years we shouldn't start with secrets."
Rachel held her tray in front of her like a shield. "Monica I don't know." She blushed so hard that it was pretty obvious she wasn't being totally honest. "I need to go talk to Paulo now before lunch ends."
Monica begged, "please Rachel you should just be honest about who you like."
"I know who she likes," Phoebe cut in.
Monica and Rachel froze simultaneously at her words.
"Who is it babe?" Joey asked.
Phoebe whispered in his ear. At first Joey looked confused then the light bulb lit up his gorgeous italian features as everything seemed to slide into place. "Aww you guys!" He looked from Ross to Rachel.
"Wait? What she likes Ross?" Chandler announced. Rachel did this cute nod shrug.
"No Rachel isn't into Ross..my brother..no no" Monica stared at Rachel then Ross for reassurance.
Rachel and Ross couldn't take their eyes off each other and Monica's words didn't even register to them. "Rachel you are on the rebound and – and Ross is addicted to being in relationships. You could not have real feelings for each other!" Monica was determined to stop this. Whatever was going on seemed wrong. She spent so much time and energy investing in being popular and exclusive. Rachel fit in with the popular crowd but not her brother Ross.
"Rachel you have feelings for me? This is so great!" Ross stood and went over to Rachel, undeterred by Monica's objections..
Chandler tried to cover Monica's eyes.
"Hands to yourself Bing," Monica said slapping him away.
"Yeah I guess I do," Rachel put down her tray. "But why is it so great?"
Ross didn't answer he simply took her hands in his and softly kissed her lips. "Because the last few weeks since you moved here all I can do is think about how much I want to be with you."
"Told ya!" Phoebe said triumphantly to no one in particular.
"Ross ...do you want to be by homecoming date?" Rachel asked her green eyes shining into his.
"Yes of course," Ross picked her up a little off the ground wrapping her in tight hug.
Rachel giggled putting her arms around his neck.
"No – no " Monica started but before she could protest her new friend liking her brother she began to feel lightheaded. She looked back to find a seat but instead everything went from spots to black in a millisecond and she fainted.
