May 1988-October 1988

His first year of college was winding down and with finals around the corner, he wanted to come home and study. He figured that way he could avoid having to take care of Chandler who never seemed to study yet did very well. It was yet another thing that shocked him about Chandler. Chandler constantly got A's and B's, but he had yet to see his roommate crack open a book. He once teased Chandler that he must be cheating or paying someone, but Chandler was adamant that wasn't the case. Ross asked him once how he did it and Chandler merely shrugged and responded with, "I don't know. I just listen in class." Which, of course, annoyed Ross even more. He was studying or at the current moment, laying on Monica's bed as she was getting ready for prom and complaining about Chandler.

"He's probably drunk right now and it doesn't matter because he'll just walk into a final and ace it. I listen in class, I take notes…..he writes two lines on a piece of paper, goes out all night and can still ace a test while hungover. I just-"

"If you hate him so much, why are you gonna room with him next year?" Monica asked, interrupting him. Ross let out a sigh. He did question that but after Spring Break, he couldn't. He could not say no.

"He asked...during Spring Break, he asked. Well, he didn't ask but he said we were gonna be roommates."

"You could've said no."

"I couldn't."

"Why not?"

"I just...I thought about it too but...even his girlfriend was telling me that I couldn't say no. She said I was a good influence on him. Not sure how much I buy that."

"His girlfriend sounds like an enabler."

"I think she just wants to save him. I think we all just want to save him. I feel bad for him," Ross said, although he really did not want to go into too much more. There was so much his sister didn't get. Monica was still pretty innocent about the way the world worked, he felt. He didn't want to tell Monica about the things Chandler had told him. He didn't want to tell her about how Lizzie was trying everything in her power to save someone who really did not want to save himself as he was still believing there was no problem. He had felt bad about leaving Lizzie alone with him but after the incident where he drove Kip, Chandler and Gandalf around all night from party to party as he stayed in the car and studied, he needed a break besides maybe it would be kinda nice to see Monica and Rachel off the prom.

When Rachel arrived at the Geller home, Ross opened the door. She was in a blue satin dress with big puffy sleeves. She looked beautiful, as always and she stood there grinning at him.

"Hey there, Mister Kotter," Rachel said as she reach up to mess up his very frizzy hair.

"Come on in," Ross said as he stepped out of the way to let her in. He closed the door behind her as she kept looking at him.

"What is with the lip hair? It looks like you're being attacked by an angry caterpillar," Rachel said.

"I like it. It makes me look distinguished," Ross said, smiling.

"Sure. So how's your roommate?" Rachel asked.

"Drunk, probably. We're going to to be roommates next year."

"Why?"

"'Cause he enjoys my lip hair."

"That sounds weird," Rachel said.

"Yeah, I heard it in my head. You-you look nice though, pretty."

"Thanks….it's a Rachel Karen Green design with a label from Armani."

"You made that?" Ross asked.

"Yeah."

"It's pretty. I don't understand the Armani thing, but it's still pretty," Ross said, but he did find it sad that he did get it. Her dress was gorgeous and he wanted to tell her that. He wanted to tell her that she should own up to her talents, that she was a fashion designer. She shouldn't give credit to Armani whatever? He wasn't sure if Armani was a first name, last name or even a name, but he wanted to yell and scream and tell her to knock it off but instead, he said nothing. It just made him sad.

"Thanks."

Rachel smiled as Ross looked at the floor, wanting to say something else but he wasn't sure what to say. He always felt nervous around her. He knew it was silly. He had a girlfriend. Carol was now his girlfriend and they got along great but it was as if Rachel was some sort of magnet and every time he was near her, he was drawn to her. He could have said more when Monica grabbed Rachel by the hand and the two were followed by Jack Geller who seemed intent on filming everything Monica and Rachel were doing.

"It was very nice of you to see your sister off to prom," Judy said, appearing next to him, giving him a knowing grin. Ross let out a snort.

"I'm a good big brother."

"Awww, Rachel looks pretty. Gorgeous dress," Judy said as Monica and Rachel walked off towards the kitchen, presumably to have one of their pantry discussions and probably to get away from Jack.

"She made that dress. She made her own dress and put an Armani label in there. I don't get that. I-we will probably never speak to her after Mon and her graduate."

"I don't think so."

"How do you know?" Ross asked.

"I know my children. You and Monica both seem to have this strange need to hold on to people who you feel might need to be fixed or saved….even if they aren't aware of it. You both clearly got that from your father," Judy said which made Ross laugh a little.

"What?" Ross asked.

"I will never understand why Monica keeps wanting to be friends with Rachel after all the hurtful things Rachel has done to her. I will never understand why you want to be friends with someone like that roommate of yours. Both he and Rachel seem like complete messes…..I told your father that and he told me I didn't understand. I don't."

"Wait..you realize Rachel has treated Monica like crap?" Ross asked.

"Of course. It kills me."

"You know, sometimes it's okay to tell Monica these things…..like how you don't like how Rachel treats her," Ross said.

"Why?" Judy asked.

"Never mind."

"It doesn't matter. She's still going to remain Rachel's friend," Judy said. "I also think your roommate has some severe problems that you don't have the abilities to fix."

"Yeah, you're right. It doesn't matter what you say," Ross said. Judy just shook her head as there was a knock at the door. Judy opened it and Roy was standing there, waiting to take Monica to prom. Judy walked off towards the kitchen while Ross stood with Monica's date. He didn't know Roy very well. He knew that some kids called him Donkey Lips but that was about it. He stood awkwardly with him until Monica and Rachel came by and Rachel began to get upset almost immediately. Chip was not there. It was late and Rachel was worried about not having a date. He wasn't entirely sure but there was drama as Rachel, Monica and Roy walked off towards the living room while he remained with his parents.

"I have an idea," Jack said from behind the camera as he stabbed the air with his finger. Ross walked towards the steps and sat as Judy sat next to him.

"What, dad?"

"Take Rachel to prom," Jack said.

"No," Ross said.

"It's genius. You could be her knight in shining armor," Jack said.

"It was bad enough that I had to go to my own prom," Ross grumbled, "and Rachel's not going to hang out with Monica and her friends. She's going to hang out with Mindy and Sharon and Nancy and I hate that I still remember their names."

"Oh, come on….actually, Jack….I think that's a brilliant idea," Judy said.

"If I have to spend an entire evening listening to Mindy, Nancy and Sharon, I may kill them….no, not may, I will….and Chandler really is expecting me to be his roommate next year," Ross said, "he will die if I'm not…..and I'm thinking literally," Ross said.

"Ross," Judy said. Ross let out a sigh as he looked over at Rachel who was in tears. His heart broke a little watching her. He would never understand it. He would never fully understand why she put an Armani label in the dress she designed or why she lied about her favorite movie or why all this was so important, but it was to her. It was very important. He could survive those girls Rachel hung out with. Maybe they wouldn't want to hang out with her if she was with him. Maybe he would get to see her how she truly was, he could get the real Rachel. The one he knew was underneath all that other crap.

"Alright, I'll do it. I'll take her to prom," Ross said as he stood up and walked upstairs towards his room. He grabbed a tux and quickly got dressed. He thought he looked quite handsome, quite manly. He could imagine dancing with Rachel, holding her, being near her. They had not danced since Monica's bat mitzvah and it would be everything if they could be that close again.

He walked out of his room and into the view of Jack's camera, filming him as he grabbed some flowers from a vase and walked towards the stairs when he heard giggling downstairs and Rachel, Chip, Roy and Monica were racing out the front door. Time froze in that moment. She was leaving. She was gone and he had a feeling that was not meant literally.

Ross returned to his dorm a few hours later, not really wanting to stay at home. He walked into a semi-shocking site. Chandler was at his desk, studying. Sure he was also drinking a beer while doing it, but he was studying. Lizzie was lying on Chandler's bed, studying as well.

"Are you actually studying?" Ross asked.

"Yes," Chandler said.

"Are you okay?" Ross asked.

"I'm fine….I study."

"I've never seen you do it."

"'Cause it's pointless. Honestly, as long as you listen in class, you're golden. I mean, the profs tell you everything that will be on the test. Listen to the professor and just don't forget what they say," Chandler said. "It's really that simple."

Ross opened his mouth to say something and looked over at Lizzie who was laughing as she shook her head.

"I've told him to not to say that to people because it pisses them off," Lizzie said. "Chandler, not everyone is like you. Not everyone can do that."

"Ehhh, sucks for them. Alright, study break. I'm getting another beer," Chandler said as he walked towards the mini fridge and grabbed a beer. Ross shook his head as he fell onto Chandler's bed, next to Lizzie.

"Why are you here by the way?" Lizzie asked. "I thought you were going to be gone all weekend?"

"Yeah, Lizzie was planning on peeing, 'bite me, Geller' all over your bed," Chandler said.

"No, no, that was all you," Lizzie said.

"Shhh," Chandler said as he sat back down at his desk, cracked open his beer and placed legs on his bed.

"No, just…..I saw Rachel. She designed her own dress. It was pretty, but she put an Armani label in it like she didn't want people knowing she can design clothes. I don't get her. She did make fun of my lip hair, though. She called me Mr. Kotter and said that it looked like I was being attacked by a very angry caterpillar," Ross said, looking at Chandler. Ross noticed Chandler grinning slightly at that and he looked like he was trying not to let out a laugh. "Do you find that funny, Bing?"

"No," Chandler said.

"Well, it is a funny comment," Lizzie said.

"Who's side are you on?" Chandler asked, "fine, it was mildly amusing."

"She's actually really funny," Ross said. "Honestly, she's about as funny as you."

"That's the most hurtful thing you've ever said to me," Chandler said.

"I did think she was funny at camp," Lizzie said.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Chandler asked. Lizzie and Ross both laughed at Chandler who was very determined in his hatred of Rachel. It really seemed like nothing would ever turn that around.

"Look, Geller, she is evil. Rachel. She's evil. She's a horrible person who is not funny and not pretty and-"

"She is pretty hot, actually," Lizzie said.

"Thank you," Ross said.

"Did you cheat on me? Because honestly, that would hurt less," Chandler said.

"She is not ugly," Lizzie said.

"She has a penis," Chandler said.

"So do you," Lizzie said.

"You know, she doesn't actually have a penis," Ross said.

"I don't care about the truth," Chandler said as Ross and Lizzie laughed at him and Chandler continued on his rant about all things Rachel Green. He did feel a bit bad laughing, but it was funny. Chandler was just not fond of anything having to do with Rachel and Chandler's rant actually made him feel better.

The next morning, he was woken up by the phone ringing. He let out a groan as he reached for the phone and grabbed it. He looked over at Chandler who moved his pillow over his face.

"Hello," Ross said.

"It's me," Rachel said.

"Rachel?" Ross asked.

"It's Rachel?" Chandler asked before screaming, "go to hell, Witch Butt!"

"Tell your roommate that he's an asshole," Rachel said.

"I'm not going to say that. Just a heads up for next year when you're in college, you probably want to wait until after 10 to call people."

"Oh….Chip and I broke up."

"That's not news."

"For good. Prom wasn't fun. He cheated on me and your sister got mad at me and…...Ross, promise me something?"

"What?"

"Don't stop being my friend?"

"I won't."

"Thanks. Okay, I'm gonna go. Sorry for waking you," Rachel said before hanging up. Ross hung up the phone and stared at the picture of Rachel on his board. He should get rid of that. Rachel was a memory now. Monica and Rachel would graduate and Rachel would move on.

Maybe he would focus on Monica because that summer, it seemed like he might need to. Something strange was happening with his sister. She was losing weight, rapidly. He would hear Judy and Monica arguing in her room.

"Leave me alone," Monica would yell.

"I just think….can you please rethink staying in the city for college," Judy said.

"No. I don't want to stay here with you and dad. I wanna go to college and live and why are you-"

"Because-"

"Leave me alone, I'm fine."

Ross watched from his room as Judy walked out of Monica's room and Monica shut the door behind her. Judy walked towards Geller parents bedroom and stopped. Ross couldn't tell but from the way his mom's shoulders shook, he wondered if his mom was crying.

"Mom?" Ross asked.

Judy seemed to straighten up immediately and turned towards Ross, letting out a sigh and smiling. She gently wiped tears away from her face, he could tell. His mom was crying. Ross walked towards her.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, sweetie. I'm going to talk to your dad," Judy said as she walked into the bedroom, leaving Ross in the hall. He looked at Monica's closed bedroom door and walked over to it. He knocked and opened it as soon as Monica let him in.

"Hey, Mon."

"Hey. So, how's does it feel being back for the summer. I can't wait for next year. I'm gonna be a chef."

"Yeah, about that….where's Rachel?"

"I don't know. I haven't really talked to her much since graduation. How's Chandler?" Monica asked.

"Probably wasted somewhere."

"Beautiful."

"You know….you've been losing weight."

"I know, it's amazing. I'm just being disciplined. Mom's being crazy."

"But you've been losing weight like really fast….how are you doing it?" Ross asked.

"Discipline. Come on, not you too. Look, I'm fine. I just wanna start college fresh."

"That's good but how are you losing weight?" Ross asked.

"Diet and exercise."

"Monica."

"Diet and exercise. I'm fine. I know what I'm doing," Monica said, angrily. Ross nodded and stepped back. He walked out of Monica's room and towards the bathroom. He opened the bathroom door and realized the lock was gone. There had used to be a lock on the door. Just a little metal button thing on the doorknob. It was gone. He walked downstairs towards the guest bathroom and noticed the same thing. The bathroom locks were gone. This was not good.

Then he caught her. It was the middle of summer now and he had gone to Scoops with Will and Jonathan to discuss comic books and catch up with each other. It had been fun. He talked about Carol and Chandler and Lizzie and Will told them about Los Angeles. It was perfect. When he returned him, he heard sounds coming from the bathroom. Vomiting sounds. He opened the bathroom door and saw Monica leaning over the toilet, finger in her mouth and throwing up.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Ross asked.

Monica jumped back and looked at Ross, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She stood up and flushed the toilet. She glared at him.

"Did you forget to knock?"

"Why did our parents take the locks off the bathroom doors?" Ross asked.

"They're crazy," Monica said as she walked out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. Ross followed her towards her room. Monica opened her door and slammed it shut. He reached down and noticed the lock on her door had been removed as well. He opened the door as Monica lay on her bed.

"Mon."

"I'm fine, Ross. I have under control."

"Like Chandler and his drinking."

"Do not compare me to him. He's fucked up."

"Monica, you are forcing yourself to throw up.'

"It's...I will stop when I get to my goal weight."

"No, no….I can't….Mon-"

"Look, Ross….I wanna….I spent four years as Rachel's fat secret friend and I got kicked out of fat camp and nothing I do works and I don't wanna go to college being….I wanna...I want to start over and I know what I'm doing. I have journals and notes and I'm keeping track. I'm not going too far. Please just…." Monica's eyes filled with tears as she pleaded with him. "I'm okay."

"But-"

"Please, Ross."

"Stop hurting yourself."

"Okay," Monica said. "I know what I'm doing."

Ross wasn't sure how much he believed her but he wasn't sure what else to say. He took a deep breath and looked at her, "you know, Will, Jonathan and I worked on a new comic book at Scoops today."

"Really?" Monica asked, smiling a little.

"The Adventures of Two Face and Science Boy. It begins in their lair-"

"They have a lair?"

"It's very nice because Two Face is an expert decorator. Anyway, they're in their lair and they get a distress call from The Comic."

"That's Chandler, right?"

"No, it's no one. You wanna know this story."

"I do."

"Okay, The Comic and The Chef-"

"That's me."

"Monica."

"Sorry."

"Anyway, The Comic and The Chef send out a distress call to Two Face and Science Boy. Someone has taken all the jokes in the world and turned them into horribly bland items of food and those bland items are actually filled with poison that put people into a deep sleep. Of course, The Comic and Two Face hate each other so you know the situation is dire if The Comic willingly calls Two Face and Science Boy….."

"Thank you, Ross," Monica said as Ross continued to tell her the latest adventure of Two Face and Science Boy. He wished he could do more. He wanted to do more but maybe it was like Chandler and his drinking? It's hard to help someone that won't admit that there is even a problem.

When they dropped Monica off at the loft she would be living in with some other girls who were also culinary students, Judy cried. Yes, Judy cried when they had dropped Ross off but this was different. He detected fear in his mother's eyes. He would have to make sure Monica took care of herself, that she was okay. Although, as school began it became difficult. Between school and Carol and everything else, there wasn't always time. He would try though. He would call, do lunches and she kept getting skinnier. He would watch her closely but wasn't exactly sure what he was supposed to do.