I'm sorry I'm rushing the story, but I'm running out of time. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. Thanks Debbie for always being a loyal reviewer .
CHAPTER 11.
"Tell me, what is it?" she asked with a smile, trying to block out the previous hours.
"Chandler and I are moving in together." Monica blurt out. Rachel's jaw dropped at the unexpected news.
"Oh my god, but that's fantastic honey!" Rachel exclaimed, hugging her friend with enthusiasm. "I was dreading something worse, you looked so serious, I thought you would tell me you guys were breaking up."
"No, no, definitely not breaking up."
"Then why do you seem sad?"
"Because we're moving in together…here." Monica said, Rachel's smile disappeared from her face.
"Oh…" Rachel slowly leaned back on the couch, becoming aware of the consequences of her friends' decision. "And I guess I'm no longer welcomed here…" she said softly, unable to hide her sorrow.
"Of course you are, you can come visit every time you want." Monica tightly grabbed her hands in between hers "It's that…this is a new stage in my life, in our lives…we both really want this, and we want to do it in the right way…you're not mad, are you?" Rachel gave her a small smile.
"Why would I be mad…I'm very happy for you guys, It just makes me sad that…we are not gonna be roommates anymore." Her voice broke a little as her eyes watered, Monica covered her mouth with her hands as she also welled up.
"I'm gonna miss you so much." Monica confessed, sobbing. They joined in a tight hug.
"I'm gonna miss you too." Rachel murmured, pulling away. She then wiped off the tears that had stained her face and smiled faintly.
"So…when do I have to leave?"
"Whenever you're ready, there is no rush."
"Okay…I guess I need to look for a place first."
"I'll help you out with that, don't worry. I'm so sorry you have to leave this apartment." She said sincerely.
"aww honey, it's okay, it would happen sooner or later…plus you're moving in with Chandler! That's a huge step for you guys, especially for Chandler!" she chuckled, aware of how scared of commitment her friend was.
"I know! Can you believe it was his idea?"
"It was? Wow…that dude is growing up." They shared a laugh. "Anyway…I'm sure you two will be very happy living here." She said with a broad smile before hugging her best friend again.
"I hope so."
…
Rachel put her pile of papers aside. Since Monica had left for work and was not there to scold her, she placed her feet up on the coffee table and leaned her head back on the couch, trying to find some peace in her mind. She closed her eyes. It had been a long day, full of events that had turned her life upside down. That morning she had a home and the possibility of getting back together with Ross. Now she had none. What was she going to do? Where was she going to live?
Her thoughts were interrupted when somebody opened the door. She quickly put down her feet and pretended to be working.
"Hey Rach," she sighed in relief, silently thanking that it was Phoebe and not Ross. "Do you wanna come to the coffee shop? I'm meeting with the guys there in half an hour. Where is Monica?" she asked, not seeing her in the living room.
"She works tonight." She replied as she made her way towards the kitchen. She grabbed a chocolate from a nearby cabinet.
"Oh, right. So, are you coming?"
"Thanks Pheebs, but I'm not in the mood."
"uh-oh…that face, what happened with Ross this time?" Rachel looked at her friend perplexed.
"What face, what are you talking about?"
"You look miserable, and you are about to eat a chocolate, that only happens when something about Ross is bothering you." Her eyes grew bigger.
"Should I be scared that you know me so well?" Phoebe smiled.
"Maybe." Rachel threw away the candy and plopped down on a chair. She rested her elbows on the table and sunk her face in her hands. Phoebe took seat in front of her and waited for her to open up.
"We've signed the papers, we're getting the annulment tomorrow." Phoebe gave her a look of surprise.
"And? Why are you upset? Isn't that what you wanted?"
"No…I mean yes! But…Ugh I don't know. I don't know why I feel this way Phoebe, I don't want to feel this way." She said clenching her fists. Phoebe looked at her more confused than before.
"Wait…Do you want to stay married to Ross or what? I'm confused." She shrugged.
"I don't know…I was just hoping that what happened between us could develop into something more…go back together and make it work this time. But he clearly has a different idea." Phoebe let out a chuckle.
"You deduced that because he signed the papers?"
"He rushed to get those Pheebs, he is desperate to put an end to this." She laughed louder.
"He did it because of youuuuu. He probably doesn't want to argue with you anymore."
"That's what he said…"
"Then why are you worried?"
"Because he is different here…he is my old friend Ross, it seems like he had forgotten something ever happened between us. Besides, if he had any interest in me he would've never attempted to get the annulment."
"That's stupid."
"No, I'm stupid. I should've never got my hopes high. We agreed it would be a one-time thing anyway…we never said it would lead to anything else."
"Rach, That man loves you, always have."
"I'm not sure about that, didn't he married another woman last year?"
"Whom he divorced because he wasn't willing to give you up."
"…that's a different thing, No Pheebs, he doesn't want to get involved with me, since we got back he treats me like his friend Rachel. I should just forget everything, forget him and move on with my life."
"Do whatever you want, but I'm sure he's having the same doubts as you. But since both of you are two stubborn human beings I guess you'll never find out the truth." She hesitated for a moment. Was he having her same doubts and wasn't doing anything about it because of what they agreed in their trip?
"You think?"
"I'm 99% sure of it. Why don't you ask him yourself tomorrow, you don't lose anything by trying…" she shook her head sideways. That seems too easy, and things were never easy between them.
"It's not just that" She stood up, throwing her hands in the air in despair. "Monica has told me Chandler will be moving in here and I have to leave this place. All of a sudden I'm homeless and still single."
"Well, that has an easy solution, you move in with me."
"What, Are you serious?" her face lit up.
"Absolutely. I haven't had a roommate since my grandma died, it will be fun."
"Oh my god, thank you so much Phoebe, you have no idea what a weight you've lifted off my shoulders"
"No, problem, yay! I can't wait to live with you" She exclaimed as they hugged eagerly.
"I can't either."
"I gotta go now, the guys must be wondering where I am, think about it okay?"
"I will, promised."
…
"So it's done." He said as they walked out of the building. They both stopped at the same time and faced each other. "We're single again."
"Yup"
"How does it feel like getting an annulment for the first time?"
"Oh, it feels great." She said with sarcasm. Ross laughed. "Do you have time to grab a coffee?" he looked at his watch and wrinkled his nose in dissatisfaction.
"Ugh no, I'm so sorry, this took longer than I expected and I have a class in less than an hour. I'll take a rain check on that, though."
"Alright, but can I ask you something before you go?"
"Sure, what is it?" She drew air into her lungs as she gathered some courage to speak. She grabbed his hand and guided him to a nearby entryway, away from the crowded New York sidewalk. He looked down at her expectantly.
"What happened last weekend…" She began, feeling her whole body tremble. "It was pretty amazing…right?" he smirked.
"It really was…"
"What do you think about it?"
"What do I think about it?" he repeated, not sure about the purpose of such question. "I think it was the best trip that I've ever had and one that I will certainly keep among my fondest memories…why?"
"Don't you wanna repeat those moments?" She asked shyly.
"If I could turn back time I would do it many times, trust me." He said, chuckling softly.
"No, I mean here, repeat what happened there, here." She said low. He looked down at her lips. They looked so inviting.
"oh…" he moved slightly away, trying not to give in to her charms "I…I don't think it would be a good idea Rach, I mean I would love to, but here's too complicated, the guys could find out and jump into conclusions…and we don't want that, do we?" her hopes dissipated right away. He clearly wasn't on her same page.
"No, of course no…"
"So, we better leave things as they are…."
"Yes…we better." She repeated, adding a smile that covered the incredible pain she was feeling that moment.
"I'm glad we agree. So I gotta go. I'll call you to grab that coffee." He said as he walked away.
"Okay." She stayed on her spot, watching him disappear among the crowd.
Perhaps their paths were never meant to cross again.
…..