Lori's POV
All of us are at Central Perk again and I feel like a piece of crap.
Dan hasn't been home and I think he's with someone else.
I called him and I heard a woman's voice. I dunno who.
I was still residing at Chandler and Joey's who have been nothing but supportive.
Rachel was now working at our hang out spot so that was cool.
I sit on the couch with Ross beside me on the arm rest, Chandler between Monica and I. Joey on the chair closest to the window and Phoebe sat on the floor by the chair with it's own table.
We were in the middle of a conversation I couldn't focus on.
I had my own trouble with my work. I was worried I might mix up numbers which was slowing me down cause I was focusing on one at a time and Ross had a hand on my shoulder- we caught up finally yesterday and I was a complete mess. I told him everything and he is the only one who knows about the physical abuse I received when Dan and I fought. He had been drinking too. I knew it! I thought he quit for me.
Ross gave me the occasional 'are you okay' expression and I only returned a blank stare.
"What you guys don't understand is... kissing is as important as any part of it," Monica explains to the guys who are dumbfounded.
"Yeah right," Joey says automatically with a boyish chuckle. Us girls give them a serious expression. I can agree with Monica.
"Uh huh," I say with a quiver.
Everyone stares at me sympathetically
"You serious?" Joey asks, staring into my eyes and I just nod once. "Oh yeah," Phoebe backs up.
"Everything you need to know is in that first kiss," Rachel adds matter of factly like everyone should know this.
"Absolutely," Monica says smoothly. "Yeah. I think for us kissing is pretty much an opening act. You know it's like the stand-up comedian you have to sit through before Pink Floyd comes out," Chandler explains the way guys are thinking. Us girls shift uncomfortably and I grimace at Chandler. "Yeah, and - and it's not like we don't like the comedian it's just that- that's not why we bought the ticket," Ross jumps in awkwardly. I crook an eyebrow at him and move his hand off my shoulder.
Ross shrugs innocently and I smile apologetically.
"The problem is though, after the concert's over no matter how great the show was- you girls are always looking for the comedian again," Chandler adds confusedly, glancing at all of us. "Y'know, I mean. We're in the car we're fighting traffic just trying to stay awake," he goes on.
"Yeah, well. Word of advice. Bring back the comedian, otherwise, you're gonna find yourself sitting at home, listening to that album alone," Rachel says coolly. Why did she have to say it like that?
"Are we still talking about sex?" Joey asks, lost. Ross gives him a thumbs up and I lean my head on Chandler's shoulder. Ross gives us an exasperated expression, earning a smirk from me.
I'm curled up on the couch at Monica and Rachel's, eating a bag of chips I bought recently. It's definitely over with Dan I think, he still hasn't called.
We sit in front of the television, watching a drama show that is distracting me from my constant crying and my eyes are still wet from the last session. Monica's running around the apartment, tidying up.
I sit beside Chandler and Joey's on the chair lying back by himself.
"I think this is the episode of Three's Company where there's some kind of misunderstanding," Chandler reports randomly, leaning forward to see better. I go in and out of focus again, my body shaking slightly from all the tears. "Then I've already seen this one," Phoebe says and lifts the remote to shut off the television and I finally notice Monica cleaning the coffee table.
"Are you through with that?" she walks over to Joey and takes the unfinished glass of water he currently drank from.
"Yeah, sorry. The swallowing slowed me down," Joey replies and Monica was now behind the couch. Chandler was still leaning forward and I made a disgruntled noise. He immediately leans back and wraps his arms around me which felt nice. I close my eyes, placing the bag of chips on the table.
"Who's little ball of paper is this?" Monica points to a yellow crumpled up paper on the end table. Chandler glances at it, making me stare over there too. "Oh, that would be mine. See uh, I wrote a note to myself and then I realized I didn't need it, so I balled it up and now I wish I was dead..." Chandler lost his confidence under Monica's horrifying glare. I wrap my arms around his torso and reassure him she's just acting crazy because of her parents and not the paper. "Lori, no chips on the table," the crazed woman scolds at me and I pout.
I return her glare.
"Aw look how cute you two are a cuddled up," she announces cutely and we unwrap ourselves. I glance away and Chandler pulls me back when Monica begins fluffing a pillow next to us.
"She already fluffed that pillow.
Monica, you know you already fluffed that pillow. But it's fine," Phoebe reminds Monica who gives her the meanest stare I ever saw her give anyone.
"Look, I'm sorry guys, I just don't wanna give them any more ammunition than they already have," Monica tells us apologetically and I nod in understanding. Like I said before, I was no miss perfect. Especially now.
"Yes, and we all know how cruel a parent can be about the flatness of a child's pillow," Chandler stands up, grabbing my hand, urging me to follow. I turn my head and Monica's talking to Phoebe.
We head outside to the balcony and I know this has to be serious.
He's only serious with me because I understand him and him me.
"How you hanging in there?" he asks, concerned.
"I'm not gonna lie to you... not well," I admit with a fragile voice.
He studies me and I stay still.
"I hate to see you this way," he frowns after a few.
"C'mon, we'll go somewhere fun," Chandler suggests, smiling at me encouragingly. "Okay... sounds good," I allow quietly and he approaches me and kisses my cheek where it was sore from the abuse.
I back away slowly. "What?" he asks, hurt. "Nothing," I respond deadpanned, not wanting anyone but Ross to know.
He shrugs small and we head back inside.
"Ew!" Chandler exclaims almost as soon as we pass by the window. He points across to the other building.
"What?!" Monica asks.
"Ugly Naked Guy got a thigh master," Chandler announces informatively and we still stare.
"Ew," the other three chorus and I make my way back to the couch, uninterested by the nude man.
"Has anybody seen my engagement ring?" Rachel's worried voice strains from her door.
"Yeah, it's beautiful," Phoebe comments cheerily.
Rachel gawks at her, mystified.
"Oh, God," she repeats all the way to the couch and I take a seat on the arm chair beside Joey who sits on the cushion, annoyed by Rachel's way of speech.
She begins searching the couch.
I roll my eyes and notice Joey staring at me. "Hey... we should talk later," he suggests urgently.
"I don't think so.." I reject the idea, having the slightest clue why he would want to.
"Leave the girl alone, Joe," Chandler flicks him on the shoulder from the other side of us.
Joey huffs, bothered by the rightful advice.
"Oh, like I wasn't dreading tomorrow enough- having to give it back to him. 'Hi, Barry, remember? I'm the girl in the veil that stomped on your heart in front of your entire family!'" Rachel says while she feels the floor around her.
"Oh, God. Now I'm gonna have to return the ring without the ring which makes it so much harder,"
"Easy, Rach. We'll find it. Won't we?" Monica orders of us, glancing at us demandingly with her blue eyes
"Oh, yeah," the guys around me get off the chair and I reluctantly copy.
"Alright, when'd you have it on last?" Joey asks from the chair.
"Doi. Probably right before she lost it!" Phoebe predicts seriously.
I mentally laugh, leading to a smile on my face. She's quirky funny alright.
"You don't get a lot of doi these days," Chandler remarks seriously, leaning beside the refrigerator while we help look in the kitchen with Monica.
She passes by us and I smile up at Chandler, being beside the refrigerator myself.
"I know I had it this morning... I know I had it in the kitchen with..." Rachel lists possible places she lost the ring, approaching the kitchen counter. She freezes behind the lasagne. Chandler and I stare, horrified for her. "Oh, don't be mad..." Rachel requests critically, looking down at the food for the parents' dinner. "You didn't," Monica says bitterly, turning to glare at Rachel.
"I am sorry," Rachel shakes her head sincerely. I smirk delightedly.
"I gave you one job!" Monica outbursts severely and picks up the glass tray.
She raises it over her head, "you didn't!"
I smirk at the incident.
"Lasagne's always the victim," I say smartly or at least trying to to make myself happy again.
Chandler feigns a laugh and I know it's fake. I can tell.
Rachel follows Monica at her pace.
"Oh, but look how straight those noodles are!" she compliments although it's not helpful to us.
"Now, Monica, you know that's not how you look for an engagement ring in an lasagne," Chandler says, stepping towards Monica who keep examining the bottom of the tray desperately.
She puts down the tray reluctantly on the table.
"I just... can't do it..." Monica says hopelessly, walking away.
I grimace at the thought which meal she'll have to serve.
"Boys... we're going in," Chandler announces awkwardly since I stand beside Joey and I give an eye roll.
Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and I start digging in the spoiled food.
A knock on the door was heard while we are occupied with the search for Rachel's ring.
"Oh. That is not a happy 'Hi'," Monica reports, plagued by whoever is at the door and I assume it's Ross.
He greets sadly these days.
"What are you doing here?" Monica barks severely and I startle some. Please don't let it be Dan.
"I need to talk to her," I try to ignore his desperate plea and know it's Dan. I continue frantically poking at the lasagne, pretending to be unaware of the stares of my friends.
"Ooh, I found it!" I say triumphantly before, "Carol's pregnant," is out of Ross's mouth. Everyone glances my way and Dan stands among us now.
"W-w-wh- wha-.., w-w-w-..." Monica stutters confusedly and dumbfounded. "Yeah," Ross replies shortly. "What's he doing here?" Chandler and Joey ask simultaneously. "Let me talk to my girlfriend," Dan insists impatiently and I was pulled towards Joey. "Over my dead body!" he exclaims protectively. Like he knew about the slap- did Ross? He wouldn't tell others my personal business would he?
"Wait- Carol's pregnant?" Dan utters lowly, pinching his own arm, turning to the siblings.
"Do that for another two hours you might be where I am right about now," Ross says emotionally impaired obviously as he enters the apartment.
"Kind of puts that whole pillow thing into perspective huh, Mon?" Chandler says with a goofy smile for her.
"Well, now- how do you fit into this whole thing?" Rachel asks first, I still hold the ring firmly between my fingers.
"Carol says she and Susan want me to be involved but if I'm not comfortable with it I don't have to be involved... basically it's totally up to me," Ross tells us the basics and Rachel takes her ring from me without saying thanks for finding it!
I still stand beside Joey and see Dan waving at me. I look up at Joey who shoots Dan a glare.
I smirk widely.
"Carol is so great. I miss her," Phoebe pipes up from by the table. Ross stares at her, flustered and cheerless at her opinion.
Monica gives her a chiding expression which can be daunting.
Everyone exchanges awkward/ uncomfortable stares.
"What does she mean by 'involved'?" Monica quizzes curiously, leading Ross to the couch.
"Presumably the biggest part of your job is done," Chandler jokes seriously, standing beside Ross and I attempt to stay calm with Dan in the apartment.
"Anyway... they want me to go to this sonogram thing with them tomorrow," Ross informs us, sounding puzzled if he should actually attend.
"So what are you gonna do?" Rachel asks most compassionate to my surprise.
Monica and Ross sit on the couch and she is comforting him hopefully.
"I have no idea," Ross replies cluelessly such as a lost puppy.
"No matter what I do though, I'm still gonna be a father," he adds.
We hear metallic clanking and turn our heads to see Joey eating the food left on the table. He stabs a piece and he freezes.
"Well, this is still ruined, right?"
We slightly turn away.
Chandler's POV
We listen to Lori and Dan's argument from the hallway. We let the two have our apartment to sort out their issues in.
If there's any sign or sounds that Lori's hurt, Joey will barge in and rescue her.
So far there's no indication of that.
"Please..." I hear Lori's acute shrill voice from the living room.
"I am sorry," Dan's husky voice is heard next.
Joey and I exchange eye rolls.
She's not that dumb to fall for that baloney. I caress the door longingly. I wish to know if she's okay. "What the hell, dude?" Joey snaps fiercely, making me realize what idiotic thing I was doing.
The door opens suddenly and I crumple to the floor. "Hi," I raise my brows at Dan who looks pouty.
"I hope you're happy know. She's all yours," he scoffs angrily and steps around me. Joey pushes Dan away from him and darts for Lori who I don't dare look at.
"Uh, a little help here? O-okay!" I splutter, rolling around and eventually stand on my feet.
Joey engulfs Lori in a hug and I take this cue to leave the former couple alone, vaguely hearing the sounds of crying.
Lori's POV
I can't believe Chandler left us alone.
I was regaling the fight and telling Joey about the physical abuse that really stung. Even if Ross had told him already, he seems really caring.
Maybe I shoulda let him have another chance.
"And then I said 'we're history'. That's when Dan almost tripped on Chandler. Eavesdroppers!" I shout attentively, burry my damp face into Joey's shirt.
"He got on my nerves, that guy. The way he tricked you into thinking-" I cut him off from finishing his sentence.
"No, Joseph," I beg, capturing his attention with full name usage.
"I'm gonna go catch some Z's," I announce tiredly; that was the norm the past week and I was irregular for this month.
Just what I needed.
I make my way to the couch sluggishly. Again with my stomach feeling gross.
I was too upset to care- I couldn't cry anymore.
"Lori?" Chandler's voice rings out from the kitchen.
I slowly lift my head to stare coldly at him.
"I'm sorry for fleeing like that... You know, my parents. It's a weakness," he reminds me softly, approaching the pull out couch from behind. He eyes me, grimacing.
"Joey's jersey, huh?" he comments suspiciously. "It's nothing- I didn't pack, remember?" I remind him with a fake smile.
Joey enters the apartment and smiles at me, putting a finger to his lips signalling for me to be silent.
"How you doin'!?" he practically shouts right behind Chandler who raises his elbows and does a weird hop.
"No!" Chandler screams piercingly and trots all the way to his room.
"Thanks," I smile small, forcing a giggle.
I place my hands on my cheek and glance at the floor emotionally.
"You can uh, sleep in my room," Joey offers, swinging his arms back and forth, going to lean on the kitchen counter.
"Aw, you don't have to do that!" I say girlishly despite my mood.
I should give Joey more credit- he changed a lot but sometimes when we hang out alone he reminds me of himself when we were an item.
"No big deal. Night, Lori,"
"Night, Joe," I respond sweetly, walking to his room for a good night's rest.