A/N: Things continue for the group in and out of school as we get closer to April. Enjoy.

18: Letter 17

January 15

"Ok, everyone…" Mr. Tyler lead off another homeroom session but in my mind I knew what today meant going forward.

JANUARY 15

WINTER CARNIVAL PREP

ROSS GETS NOMINATED FOR ALL SCHOOL RELAY

WE ALL DECIDE TO JOIN HIM TO HELP HIM OUT

The All School Relay where the 4 groups do a lap in snowshoes around the track. We call it the highlight of the day as whoever wins it claims our schools most infamous trophy.

The Orange Jug. The blurb goes that our schools founder descendant of the towns founder kept the jug with orange juice by him constantly. 60 years of that same jug with that soaked the glass as a glaze to the point where it was now pure Florida sunrise color.

"As you are aware. we have the Winter Carnival approaching and as I am the advisor of the Junior Class, I do get to formulate the highlight of the Carnival known as the All School Relay."

As Mr. Tyler explained the parameters of the 6X100 wherein 6 members of the corresponding year duke it out on a snow covered track. We all jockeyed for our favorites, some of us were hopeful that we wouldn't be chosen as one of the six.

"please don't do the…"

"And we'll now have open nomination suggestions for our 6 nominees."

The others looked around excitedly wondering who among them would be nominated. I looked on at Ross, all his mind kept going at was not to want to be selected.

"Really…"

Mr. Tyler was looking stunned at the lack of volunteers, but in an odd twist Janice Litman suddenly stood up.

"Mr. Tyler I nominate Ross Geller…"

Our shocked faces looked on as Ross sank in his seat worrying me.

"Ms. Litman any reasons to support…"

"Well minus the obvious, he's quickly grown to be one of the best faces in the school and it seems like we need a leader as open to this gauntlet of a race as him."

The murmurs of support quickly grew and I now know what I had to do.

"Ms. Green you have anything to add."

Without even realizing I was now standing up I turned to Ross.

"Mr. Tyler, If its ok with you and the rest of the class, I'm in favor of volunteering for the relay…"

"As am I…" Joey followed my lead with Phoebe and Monica shooting up and agreeing with me. But Ross was still not having it.

"Guys really you don't need to…"

"Mr. Geller if they are more than willing to help with the relay prep I'm willing to forgo the rest of the nominations."

"But Mr. Tyler we still need a 6th person." One of the girls behind Phoebe spoke up and she now noticed Chandler in book trying to ignore what was going on.

"Chandler…"

Nothing now she would get close to his face.

"Mr. Bing…"

Still nothing, and as long as we've known her the 3rd time is usually where she…

"CHANDLER!"

Yep…right on cue he drops the book and nearly trips out of his seat.

"oh… well if they all are…"

"We have our relay team.." the applause was interspersed while the face of Ross was still red as a beet. The day was uneventful after that but it was when we looked out at the track that we first saw how much of a practice load that were in for.

"The 6 of us…really" Chandler already seemed daunted by the task while Ross just looked on at me with a flustered look.

"Rachel…"

"Whats up?"

"Why…"

"Ross it isn't that bad…"

"Yes it is…"

"Easy for you to say, how exactly is my Grandma supposed to be able to get here to see this. I mean you've seen her she isn't in the best shape for staying out long, especially in the cold."

Monica joined my side in an effort of alleviation.

"Don't worry about Althea I can arrange her arrival; you just have to hone down the baton passing…" Her words did bring slight comfort to him, as Phoebe got us into a practice mood.

In horror I now realized the next days entry on the letter and what he was so hesitant about wanting to volunteer.

JANUARY 16

ROSS MENTIONS HIS UPCOMING VISIT TO SEE FRIENDS OF HIS FROM BROOKLYN HEIGHTS. WHICH OCCURS DAY BEFORE CARNIVAL.

HE ATTEMPTS SUICIDE THAT NIGHT.

Joey looks at me and I nodded slightly, while we saw Phoebe coaching Ross about the art of running her way, and we saw Monica trying to keep Chandler from freezing in her huge jacket. I know now we have a bigger looming threat on the horizon.

The beginning of Ross's downward spiral.

A/N: A confrontation happens right before the carnival as a deterioration begins to show its face in Chapter 19: Letter 18 As Always Subscribe for more.