Chapter 2

THAT FAMILIAR FEELING.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery. But today is a gift, that is why it is called present! - Kung Fu Panda

The following weekend, Ross walked a few blocks to the nearby movie theatre in the Greenwich Village. Doctor Pearson had suggested him to do something to feel light, go see a play or watch a movie, take up sports, maybe. 'You may even go to a strip club, if you like', he had added. Of course, he was joking on the last part. At least, that is what Ross had hoped. The idea was to try and detach Ross from his unconventional situation and make him forget the problems that troubled him on a daily basis. Doctor Pearson wanted him to feel good about something in his life, or maybe he wanted him to start noticing the good things that were already present in his life.

'Life is cruel.' Ross thought, as he looked at his ticket. He had wanted to watch the action-thriller, but it was a packed house. As a result, he had to settle for the new children's animated movie. He sighed exasperated. "Let's get this over with." He muttered to himself.

He was waiting for his turn in the queue to grab some popcorn, when he heard an argument. He tried to ignore it at first, but soon it became a raucous to his ears. So he turned around to see the source of the voice that was irritating him.

A little girl, maybe 9 or 10 years old, stood with her arms crossed, and pouted. "But I wanted Nachos." Ross' expression changed to that of confusion as he looked at the kid. Man, she does not look happy.

"Lizzie, they were out of nachos." The older girl replied.

"Rachel, this is not fair. You wanted popcorn, you got them. I wanted nachos, but I did not. How is it fair?" Ross chuckled softly at her tantrum, catching attention of the little girl. So much so, that the older girl turned her head look at the object of her attention. She raised her eyebrows as she looked at the pseudo stranger.

"Well, well.. if it isn't the angry dude from NYU!" Ross did not like the name she had just given him, and made a straight face. He saw her walking the small distance towards him. "So, we meet again! That's twice in a week. Are you stalking me?"

"And why would I do that?" Ross asked.

"Well, for starters, you were the one staring at us." Rachel retorted, almost smirking at the guy in front of her. Soon, she felt Lizzie pull her hand.

"Rachel, at least let me have a candy." The little girl reasoned.

"Alright, here's a $5 bill. I want that change back, Missy." She nudged her to go to the counter and buy herself the candy. She made sure Lizzie was in her line of sight, before she looked back at Ross. "So where were we?" Ross remained silent. "You know, we are in the 21st century. You could say a few words too. I mean, silent films are a thing of the past, don't you think?" Rachel nudged him, but in vain. Another few moments passed. "Come on, we go to the same school. I am still new to the whole university scene, help me out here." Still she got no response from him, so she continued. "Okay, I will start. I'm Rachel." She offered her his hand. "Rachel Greene."

"And I am Elizabeth Penelope Walker." Lizzie came back as they both directed their eyes towards her. She imitated Rachel to offer her hand to Ross. He could not help but chuckle. Something about her persona calmed his volatile temperament.

"Hello Elizabeth." He knelt down so that he could be at her eye level. "My name is Ross." They shook hands, and Rachel could not believe him. He stood back up, which was a cue for Rachel to speak.

"Lizzie, here, is my little cousin. Her parents are out of town for the weekend." Rachel put her hands on Lizzie's shoulder.

"Yeah, I am stuck with her for two whole days." Lizzie made a face at Rachel. "Ooo, the gates are open. Ross, come with us. We will sit together." She said with excitement.

"Now, Lizzie. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Ross would not want to watch a children's movie. He-" But soon, she was interrupted.

"Actually, I am here all by myself" He showed her his ticket stub, which said the same children's movie's name. "So I don't mind, if you don't.." He trailed off, as he did not quite understand why he complied to be in their company.

Lizzie smirked at Rachel, and led the way into the theatre, with both Ross and Rachel following her with uncertain thoughts. Ross was thinking if tagging along with them was a mistake. After his parents died, he never interacted with anyone other than his foster parents. On the other hand, Rachel was surprised that his cold exterior was broken by Lizzie, when she herself could not even get him to say his name.

Whatever the case, it just indicated that he had a story, and she was curious to find it out.

(…)

"Are you walking towards the dormitory?" Rachel asked Ross, as they stepped outside the theatre. He kept staring at her as if she offended him. "Lizzie's house is on the way. Do you mind if we walk with you?"

"No."

"So, what problems are you coping with?" Ross stopped in his tracks. 'How could she possibly ask this question?' He thought to himself. "Calm down, you went to Doctor Pearson, right? It got me to wonder."

He started walking, but looked straight ahead, not wanting to face her. "I prefer not to talk about it." Rachel was amazed at the tension, she could feel he was going back into his shell.

"That's alright." She understood his need to have privacy. An after thought came to her mind. "I do hope you're able to talk to Doctor Pearson though, otherwise there would be no point in paying him by the hour." Ross politely smiled at her, grateful to her for not prying into his personal space.

"Are you working part-time at his office?" He asked.

"Uh.. Not really. I am majoring in Psychology, but earlier, I did not have a good parking space in the building where classes are held."

"That's..." Rachel chuckled at the way he was clueless how to react.

"Go ahead, you can laugh out loud. My sisters do that too." Rachel rolled her eyes. "Anyway, so I filled up the application to change my major to 'Fashion', but Doctor Pearson wanted me to reconsider my decision. To cut it short, he offered me a parking spot near his office building. Apparently he believes I have a major potential to peep into people's minds and offer insights. So he feels it would do me good if I hung out at his office, you know, after classes." Ross nodded, happy to know about Doctor Pearson's vested interest in his students as well. "He is considerate as a person, you are in good hands." She added, referring to his therapy.

"How long, Rachel?" Bored with their conversation, Lizzie asked restless. Not used to walking, as her parents always provided her with the luxury and comfort of a car.

"Just another block, sweetie." Lizzie leaned into Rachel's side, exhaustion was evident. She was almost zonked out, somehow kept walking alongside her cousin. After a few silent minutes, Rachel announced. "That's us!"

"Here we are. Come on, Lizzie. Don't pass out on me." She tapped on her shoulder.

"Goodbye, Elizabeth." Ross said, as he continued to walk down the block.

"Ross!" She called out, now wide awake. He turned around. "My friends call me Lizzie." He looked at her confused. "You know, nick names! Rachel is Ray-Ray for her sisters and Rach for her friends." He turned his eyes towards Rachel momentarily before he was called by Lizzie again. "What do your friends call you?"

"Just Ross, I guess." He looked down, and put his hands in pockets of his pants. "I don't really have any friends." Rachel could see how he was embarrassed.

"No problem, I'll be your friend." She suggested, as it was the brightest idea. It did make Ross to look back up.

"You would?" Ross was amazed by the little girl. Rachel just observed the scene before her.

"Of course, but on one condition. I get to call you Rossy!" Rachel chuckled, and turned to look at Ross to see his reaction. She could tell he was flustered by Lizzie's choice of nick name for him.

But little did she know that his new nickname had just brought a genuine smile on his face after a very long time.