Chapter 4
Sorry it took so long! I've been like crazy busy with school...yes even in the summer -- But my life should be settling down now! So, that means more updates! Hopefully!
Disclaimer: They're not mine.
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"N...no one" Monica stuttered.
"Oh." Chandler said, unconvinced.
'Oh no, he knows I'm lying.' Monica thought.
"No, No, I think she's lying. I think she likes one of us." Joey proudly said, as if he figured out a big mystery.
"Shut up, Joe. I was just curious because my friend, well, you see, my friend...from work...she, uh, she likes this guy. And he's her friend...and she's not sure if he likes her back. And she doesn't want to lose him as a friend." Monica explained.
"Hm, well that sounds like a tricky situation." Chandler said.
'Did he see through this?' Monica wondered.
"Yeah, it is. I mean I'm, I mean my friend, is really nervous about it. And she's not sure she should tell him." Monica continued.
"Well, have they been friends for a while?" Chandler asked.
'I think he has...' Monica thought.
"Yeah, well, they've known each other for forever." She said.
"Is the chance of being with him worth risking losing him as a friend?" Chandler asked.
Monica was now sure that Chandler had figured her out.
"Absolutely." Monica said without a doubt in her mind, her eyes fixated on Chandler who was staring right back into her eyes.
"I'm lost. I'm getting pizza. Anybody want some?" Joey said, as he re-entered the conversation.
But neither Monica nor Chandler answered.
"Ok then. I'll just get a large for myself then." Joey said.
Monica and Chandler stood in silence as Joey left the apartment. Neither of them wanted to speak for fear that they would ruin the moment. They just looked into each other eyes. Finally after a few minutes had passed, Chandler dared to speak.
"Monica?" He asked.
"Yeah?" She replied.
"What's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean."
"Nothing. Nothing is going on." She lied.
"Really?"
"Yes. Really."
"So, you're not your friend. And I'm not your friends co-worker. And you don't like me?" Chandler asked.
This was it. Monica had to come to terms with the fact that he figured her out. But, she couldn't. She just couldn't lose him as a friend. She couldn't tell him.
"No. I don't like you, Chandler."
"Oh, I thought maybe you did. I thought…" He said, stopping himself, "actually, I don't know what I was thinking. I have to go though, I'll see you later."
And he left. He had been right there in front of her. She could have just told him and been rejected and gotten it over with. But something inside her wouldn't let her. She wanted to be with him.
--
The cool air hit Ross's face as he walked towards Bleeker Street. He had lost sight of Rachel as she weaved in and out of the busy New York City sidewalk traffic a few blocks back. But he was going to go to the apartment, he had to make sure his best friend was safe, even if he had no idea what was going on.
He looked up at the street sign that was in front of him. It read "Bleeker St." He turned left and started walking. Before he got very much farther down the block a familiar set of eyes was looking directly at him.
"Ross?" Rachel asked.
"Oh! Hey Rach! Fancy meeting you here!" Ross said, obviously uncomfortable and lying.
"Uh-huh." She said, not buying it, "What's that?" She pointed to the paper clutched in his hand.
"N…Nothing." He said crumpling up the paper and throwing it.
"Oh really, because it looks a little bit familiar." She said as she walked over to the ball of paper sitting in the street.
As she picked it and opened it Ross knew he had been caught. But it's not like he was doing anything wrong. He was just trying to help his friend.
"Were you following me?" Rachel asked, with her big blue puppy dog eyes looking up at him.
"Uh, uh…" Ross fumbled with his words.
"That's so sweet!" Rachel said as she wrapped her arms around him.
This was not at all how he thought she would re-act to practically being stalked.
"Thank you so much. It really means a lot that you care." She said with her head still buried in his chest.
"You're welcome, Rach." He said hugging her back.
"And I really appreciate it, but I think this is something I have to do on my own."
"Yeah, yeah, of course, I completely understand." Ross said.
"So, I'll see you at home?" Rachel asked sweetly.
"Of course." Ross said.
He gave her one last hug and then disappeared into the crowded sidewalk.
--
She looked at the number on the door and then the number on the crumpled up piece of paper in her hands. They matched.
Rachel was so nervous. She had no idea what to except. All she knew was that she needed her purse back. All her credit cards, her driver's license and her social security card were in her purse, not to mention her paycheck.
She double and triple checked the address to avoid having to actually enter apartment.
As her hand reached for the door handle she thought to herself, "Right about now I kind of wish I hadn't sent Ross home."
She turned the knob and swung the door open.
Her jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Oh my gosh." She whispered.