Thanks for the reviews!
I would also like to thank everybody who has followed, favorited, or has even just read this story. You guys are awesome, too! Sorry for only thanking the reviewers up to now. I guess I kind of forgot about the rest of you. I'll try to thank you guys, too, from now on.
I hope you guys enjoy the chapter!
There's a little more Mondler in this chapter than the last, though they're still apart for the majority of the chapter. I know, I'm a horrible person. I've been keeping Monica and Chandler separate for so long in this story—which causes my character to have to run back and forth between them. But all this separation will be over soon, I assure you. It's not as much fun to write them apart as it is to write them together.
Eventually, the confusion between Chandler and me is sorted out, and he realizes what I meant by everything I said. When I ask him how he feels about Monica, he makes it clear that he would love to be with her, but he isn't sure how much of a chance he has of that happening.
I ponder this for a moment. I still find it ridiculous that he doesn't think he's good enough for her. She clearly likes him. Maybe I can help him see that. "Well, who kissed whom?" A look of realization comes over him, but he doesn't say anything. He doesn't need to. I can see the answer in his reaction. Monica kissed him! An odd part of me is tempted to walk up to him, give him a slap on the back, and say "attaboy!" But then I realize that I'm not his father—or his "bro" —and that would be weird. Instead, I smile. "Well, there you go."
"So, what're you saying? I should ask her out?" He's clearly nervous at the thought, based on his mannerisms. "I don't know if I can do that."
Trying to reassure him, I formulate a plan. "If it helps, I can go talk to Monica to see how she feels about all of this and get her side of the story."
In a slightly calmer tone, Chandler replies, "That would be nice."
I'm a bit surprised—and very much relieved—that he doesn't argue the idea. "Okay, I'll go do that. You can stay here if you'd like." I begin heading toward the door.
The last thing I hear before leaving are Chandler's words to me: "Actually, I think I'll be going back over to my dorm soon."
With that piece of information in mind, I open the door and step back into the hallway.
. . .
I enter Central Perk to immediately find Monica sitting on the big orange couch in the middle of the coffeehouse. I walk over to where she can see me, and she seems surprised to not see Chandler with me.
"Hey, Mon," I call to her as I approach the couch, eventually taking the seat next to hers.
"Hey. Where's Chandler?"
"Um . . ." I shift uncomfortably in my sitting position. "I kind of wanted to talk to you alone about something."
A slight look of concern crossed her features. "Okay. What is it?"
I decide to just say it. No use in stalling. "That kiss: what did it mean to you?" Monica looks very much confused, so I elaborate before she has a chance to reply. "Because, well, Chandler seems to be afraid that you don't think it means anything between you two."
She sighs. "I should've known this was coming. Well, except . . . I didn't think you would be the one asking that question."
I let out a soft chuckle. "Well, you know how Chandler is."
She nods in understanding, then answers. "I guess . . . I guess I don't really know what it means. I thought I didn't want to be in a new relationship just yet, but then that all changed when . . . Well, that was probably about the time you walked in on us, so you know what happened."
I find it a bit odd that neither party seems able to say the word "kiss" and would rather word their way around it. "I really don't see why the fact that you recently broke up with Kip would deter you from getting with Chandler now." I suddenly realize how strange this all is. I'm here giving relationship advice; meanwhile, I know absolutely nothing about relationships. Since day one at this school, I've been running back and forth between Monica and Chandler, getting their individual perspectives. What makes me think I know how to get these two together when I can't even get someone for myself?
But Monica's soft, friendly smile forces away my reluctant thoughts. "I guess you're right," she says. "Scummy ol' Kip has nothing to do with this."
I can't help the smile that dominates my features. "Really?" I ask excitedly. "So, now what? Are you going to ask him out? I think you should ask him out!"
She gives me a concerned look. "Whoa, calm down! You sound like an excited puppy dog."
I laugh. "You still haven't answered my question," I point out. "Are you gonna try to get with him now? 'Cause, I mean, I'm sure he's already on board with that idea."
She shrugs—surprisingly casually. "Yeah, I guess." A shy smile creases her lips. "I suppose I can do that."
"I suppose you can, too, if that helps," I offer.
She sends me a questionable stare. "Yeah," she says doubtfully. "That . . . definitely helps."
I let out a soft chuckle. "We are so weird." I stare down at the nonexistent watch on my left wrist. "Well, it sure is getting late. We should be going, then?"
Monica just stares at me like I've grown a second head. "You . . . you know there isn't actually a watch there, right?" But she's smiling as she says it.
"Like I said before," I say casually as I stand up, "we are so weird. Me, mostly."
She stands up, too, turning sharply to face me. "No, no, no. I'm definitely weirder than you." She points an accusing finger at me with her words.
I roll my eyes in response. "Can't you stop being competitive for once? I understand that winning is great and everything, but who says this has to be a competition."
"I say." She smirks.
Another eye-roll from me. "Yeah, okay, whatever. You're weirder. Can we go now?"
"Sure," she complies. "Now, we can."
And, with that, we head out.
. . .
The entire deafly silent walk back to our dorm, I can't get my mind off the predominant subject of Mondler. Because of me, they'll finally be getting together. Because of me!
I'm just so excited for them.
Pretty soon, we're standing outside the door to our dorm. I unlock the door and open it. The shock of finding Chandler unexpectantly on the other side causes me to jump in what could almost be considered terror.
"Sorry for the shock," Chandler says from the couch. He stands up and walks over to us. "I just needed to talk to Monica, and I figured you two would be coming back here. Mon, I need to ask you a question." He turns to me. "If you wouldn't mind, could you step outside?"
I do as asked without question, heading back through the still-open door. I close it behind me so that Monica and Chandler won't see my knowing smirk.
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I rushed a bit to write it, so this really isn't my best work. Hopefully, it isn't too terrible.
I think the next chapter will lighten up on the drama. Also, a new character will be introduced. I'm pretty excited for it myself, if I'm to be honest. I mean, the more the merrier, right?
In case the ending wasn't clear enough, the question Chandler asks Monica should be clarified in the next chapter, though I think I made it fairly obvious.
Until next time,
Blunz
P.S. I don't know why I suddenly made this into the format of a letter. I guess I'm just a very strange person.
P.P.S. Take care, guys!
