She Will Be Loved
A/N Hey, sorry just a really quick authors note, thanks for all the kind reviews! They mean a lot to me! As I promised to give every fifth reviewer a shout out, I want to give a big shout out to my fifth reviewer, Chloe (Guest) so thanks for the review! xxx
Richard grabs her shoulders lightly and puts on a fake smile.
"Monica's exceedingly tired. She's about to go to bed." he tells her in a fake calm voice.
"Well hopefully seeing her best friend will cheer her up a bit." She answers, defiantly, pulling away from him.
"But Rachel..." he starts, trying to hide the warning tone.
"No buts Richard. I'm seeing my best friend for a bit. Also, we'll probably be a few hours, so why don't you go out. I'll take good care of Monica, I promise." She tells him.
"Fine, but I'd rather she doesn't leave the house, I don't want her feeling worse." He tells her.
She can try taking me out, but the alarms will go off, and he will be able to arrive in minutes. He will be in the Black Horse, the pub that is a five minutes away. I hear the door slam angrily and I let out a loud sigh as I know that I will pay dearly for that tonight.
Rachel runs towards the sound, but when she find me stood in the kitchen she stands still and stares at me, gobsmacked at how much I've changed. She opens her arms and I run into them, sobbing.
"I've missed you so much Mon" she sobs.
"I've missed you too" I sob back.
She gently pushes me away from her and holds me at arms length and looks directly into my eyes.
"Mon, he's beating you, isn't he?" she asked, her eyes piercing through mine, as if she is scanning my brain.
I stay silent, staring at the floor below me, feeling ashamed. Even though I know what he did was wrong, I could have done something to stop him, but I was to stupid and weak. I'm supposed to be strong, I'm Monica, could beat my older brother in a fight Monica. But here I am, stuck in this awful situation, not being able to admit to my best friend what happens behind closed doors.
"Monica Geller, tell me the truth."
"Yes." I answer, going red with embarrassment and staring at the floor still.
"Oh my god, the little woman beating, evil, twisted, sicko! I'm gonna kill him! I hate him! I'll kill him! I swear on my life, I'll kill him!" she screams, punching the wall repeatedly until her fist is cut into shreds and blood is pouring out of it.
I silently walk over to the draw and grab a tea towel and then soak it under the cold tap. I walk over to her and press it on her fist.
"Mon, I'm so sorry." She sobs.
"It's not your fault." I reassure her.
"No it is. Chandler and I suspected that something like this was happening, but we didn't do anything just in case you were happy and everything was fine. But then when you called me earlier, I knew our wrst nightmare had been confirmed. And now, looking at you now, you're so pale and thin. I can easily count every bone in your body. What do you eat every day? Everything!"
"Muesli." I tell her, ashamed.
"And?"
"That's all I'm allowed. Richard doesn't want me to be fat again."
"Oh my God."
"Rach, I need to get out of here, and I need your help."
"I promise, we'll get you out of here and back home where you belong." she reassures me.
"No, Rach, I need to get out tonight. Now." I urge her.
"Ok. Joey and Ross are at the Black Horse distracting Richard until around eleven, giving us another two hours or so. At ten thirty, Chandler and Phoebe will arrive in Phoebe's grandma's cab, and will ring when they pull up outside. Then we can run outside, straight into the cab and be back at your apartment before Richard is home." She tells me.
It's a good plan, but its too risky. We need to get out now if we definitely want to be safe. If I want this though, I have to tell her the truth. I take a deep breath and tell her.
"Rach, I'm pregnant."