A Story of Love: The C&M Sequel
Hey! Since people wanted me to write the C&M follow up, I figured what the hell? I'll write it! I actually have the time. Ok this is the first part so enjoy.(hey, and I got it up earlier than planned.)
Chapter 1- Love hurts.
Chandler turned over in his bed. It was early in the morning, and too early to drag his body from his comfortable position. He hated his situation. He was in love yes, but she was not ever going to be his or so he thought. She loved her life, her restaurant, her new friends, and the atmosphere of Chicago. Chandler did have to admit that he was happier having Joey live with him. Joey had found a job at the local theater. He is in charge of lighting. It was not acting, but at least it was a job that paid. Joey had felt that it was time to move on from acting, but he still enjoyed the theater. Chandler admired Joey for having the courage to move on. Every time Chandler had attempted to quit his job, his boss would offer him a more prestigious position and a higher salary. Chandler was stuck, but he was beginning to enjoy his job. He hated to admit it, but ever since the gang had reunited, Chandler's face had been brighter. The quips and smiles had come back, and his co-workers were falling in love with the happy guy that he had become.
Joey awoke, and quickly got out of bed. He loved the fact that he had a steady job, but not the fact that at times, he had to get up earlier. Joey walked out of his bedroom and across the dimly lit hall. There was one window that gave light to the hallway, but the drapes were closed and the sun was blocked from entering the apartment. Joey walked into the bathroom and turned on the light. He shut the door carefully not wanting to awaken Chandler, and got his shower ready. When he stepped into the shower, he felt the warm water hit his body. Nothing felt better than having warm water drip along his body. He enjoyed his morning showers. He rarely sung because Chandler would always yell at him to be quiet, so Joey made shower time become thinking time. No one knew, but LA had ultimately changed his personality on life and on love. He tried not to let it show because he wanted things to be the way they used to be, but he knew that after six years of being alone without the group, they could never be the way they used to be. Even though, Chandler was at least becoming more Mr. quips a lot, Joey could still feel that Chandler had matured greatly. He rarely complained about life, and when he messed up, he fixed it himself without any unnecessary help. Joey stepped out of the shower feeling refreshed and walked back to his bedroom ready to face what this new day would bring him.
Chandler finally stepped out of his room hearing that Joey was finished with the shower. Chandler knew that he would have to wait about ten minutes for the hot water to reappear, but every morning was like this. Chandler slowly walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. He discovered that will all of the excitement of seeing his friends, Chandler had forgotten to buy anything. Chandler dismissed the thought hoping that Joey wouldn't yell at him, and went into the bathroom ready to take his shower.
****
Chandler and Joey sat in a small quaint restaurant waiting for their food to arrive. Both were not talking, but that was because their stomachs were so hungry that they were practically forced to not speak. "Oh, Chandler, I forgot to tell you, Monica called." Joey said breaking the silence they had both created.
"She did? What did she say???" Chandler asked surprised.
"Nothing much. She just said that it was important that you call her back."
"Did she sound happy?" Chandler asked with a bit of hope.
"I think you should talk to her."
"I guess I should. I'll call her later." Chandler said scared to hear what Monica had to say. It had been a week since he had said goodbye to her, and he hasn't spoken to her since. He was afraid to call her, and since she hadn't called him before, he had assumed that she had moved onto some other guy.
"Are you going to call her?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Chandler asked nervously.
"I know you, Chandler. Just promise me you will call her."
"I promise I will call her. Scouts honor."
"You were in Scouts? Man, you were a sad kid."
"You're right there!" Chandler laughed.
When the food came, they both shut their mouths and began to dig into their tasteful breakfast. The conversation was over, and when they were finished eating, they both went to work.
****
Monica exited the taxi and paid the driver. Her eyes seemed to be blank. Emotionless. It had been a week since her last encounter with the group, but most of all, Chandler. She missed him, she missed the way she felt, and she missed his eyes. Anytime Monica felt her life was a Greek tragedy, all she would have to do it look into Chandler's blue eyes and all would be forgotten, and if not forgotten, at least she felt better inside. It was a lot like how she felt when she was a kid. Her mom would always make you feel like less of a person, but when Christmas came, her parents cared enough to get her what she wanted. Most kids would forget what they got for Christmas, but Monica never did. When she was a kid Christmas was Chandler's eyes. Of course as she grew up and distanced herself from her family, Christmas became just a holiday, but she always would find a new source of happiness. Whether it was a caring boyfriend, or a caring friend. Even when Monica had to fight her battle with weight, when she began to work out, she felt proud like a teacher is when their worst student gets an A on a test. Monica feeling this new feeling of self-happiness had finally found the strength to overcome her weight problem, and she did. She is now what a guy may call a knock out. Sure, when Monica glanced at herself in the mirror, she is not completely self secure, but at least she feels confident and that's what counts. Now, Monica had to look at her present problem. His name was Chandler, and he may well be the love of Monica's life, but Monica would never know. Monica walked into her restaurant for the first time in a month and saw that everything was functioning properly.
"Monica, you're back!" One of the waitress' yelled. "Everybody, Monica is back!"
"Hi, I just came by to see how things are going, but they seem to be A ok!" Monica feigned a smile.
"Yeah, it has, but we have missed you, and some of the costumers have missed your rad cooking! I loved your cakes! You know the chocolate one with all the cool stuff on it.." One of the waiters said.
"Jeff, you're still here," Monica said sarcastically.
"Monica, we need to talk. Ok, people carry on. We don't have to stop working when the owner comes back!" One of the cooks announced.
"Thanks Renée! You were always my favorite."
"I know, now come sit, tell me EVERYTHING!"
"There's not much to tell," Monica lied, "Went to the funeral, saw my friends, then came home. No big deal."
"You know I would believe you, if you didn't have the word love written across your forehead."
"Very funny, like I said noth.."
"Tell me about him!" Renée said anxiously.
"He was one of my best friends six years ago. He and I spontaneously admitted we loved each other after me hating his guts."
"Intense."
"But we knew that our new lives were keeping us apart so we were forced to not be together, and then we said our goodbyes and here I am."
"You know, I know this guy. . ."
"Oh, stop with the guys! I just need time to work through this like I said before, no big deal."
"That's where you are wrong! You need him. I can see it. You want him."
"I did. I don't know anymore."
"Did uh, anything happen?" Renée asked wanting all the juicy gossip.
"A kiss," Monica said looking at her hands, "The most amazing kiss. The kind you see in movies when the two main characters fall in love from one kiss. I can't get it out of my head."
"Then why isn't he here with you?"
"He lives in Washington DC. We have different lives. It wouldn't work."
"Before I get back to work, I just want to tell you that guys like that come once, and once they're gone, you will always regret it." After saying this, Renée resumed to her work in the kitchen.
Monica couldn't stop thinking about what she had said. Would she really regret it? Was Chandler her movie perfect romance? Was he her one true love? Monica couldn't think about this. Chandler was one of her best friends and then after six years of being apart, he had transformed into the love of her life. Was that realistically possible? Monica pondered every answer to this question that was possible, but when it all came down to it, Monica felt confused. Her life used to be simple, but now everything was complicated and how was she supposed to deal with it? Monica walked out of the restaurant with her head down. It was as if she was fat again.
****
Chandler walked into his apartment and slammed the door as if he was trying to make a statement. His neighbors didn't enjoy the sound as many of them yelled to be quiet, but all Chandler could hear was a bunch of mumbling. He threw his coat on the couch and walked straight to the phone. This phone can make him the happiest man to ever live on earth, or it could ruin his life. This phone at this moment felt like life and death. He paced around it for a few minutes unsure of what to do. He kept pacing and occasionally he would run his hands through his hair showing the frustration that ran through his head. Should he or shouldn't he? Chandler closed his eyes as if waiting for the inevitable to happen. His hand slowly left his pocket and reluctantly made its way to the phone. His pulled his hand away. This was all too hard, too complicated. Just as he was about t reach for the phone once again it made sound. This made Chandler scream like a frightened child, but he took a deep breath and brought the phone to his ear. "Hello," he said; his voice a bit shaky.
"Hey, Chandler! Look, I'm not going to be home till later. We're having a cast party tonight and one of the lady's.."
"I get it, Joe, so I'll see you tomorrow!" Chandler smiled.
"You bet!" Joey smiled also happy that Chandler still knew him.
"I'll see you pal! Have a great night!"
"You know I will!" With that, Joey hung up the phone.
Chandler put the phone back down and sat on the couch. He sighed thinking about what he was going to do. He knew that in most ways, he was being a wimp, but this was love, and you never tamper with love. If you do then you end up being a gay head liner of a gay burlesque club, or you're a mother who gets her happiness from writing erotic novels and eating Kung Pow Chicken. Chandler made a disgusted face at that thought. The phone began to ring again, but Chandler didn't have the strength to pick it up.
"Hey! You're calling Chandler and Joey's we are busy having a life, so if you can leave your name and number, we may take it out of our busy schedules to call you back!" The answering machine said.
"Ha ha..that message still cracks me up! Hey, Chandler don't forget to call Monica! Her number is on the fridge! Later, dude." Joey said and hung up the phone.
Chandler thought about what Joey was doing. He was making Chandler take the chances of love, but the chances were as slim as Joey ever getting married and staying faithful. Chandler finally gave up the act and marched to the fridge. He took the number, grabbed the phone and sat back on the couch. He began to dial nervously. He couldn't remember when he had been this scared. The phone began to ring, and ring. No answer. Chandler had gotten the answering machine. That was fate just screwing him over again. She was probably out with another guy. There was nothing wrong with that; it wasn't as if they were exclusive or even a couple for that matter. Chandler sat back and just thought about his non existing love life with Monica. After the longest hour ever had passed, the phone began to ring. This time Chandler felt that he should answer it. "Hello, Joey and Chandler's" That seemed smooth.
"Hey Chandler? It's Monica." The other voice said.
"Monica! It's great to hear from you. I tried to call you an hour ago, but no one answered."
"I was in the shower. I called because I am confused." Monica admitted.
"About us, or the us that isn't?"
"Yeah, where are we?"
"Well, I am at home relaxing on the couch, and you are at home after a shower."
"Chandler, no time for jokes. I need to know."
"That's what I don't know, Mon. I know that I love you. I have never loved anyone like this before, and that's what scares me."
"You're scared of loving me?"
"I guess I am scared that I love you too much, and you've probably moved on."
"Chandler, how could I ever move on when all I would be thinking about is you?" Monica said wishing that Chandler lived closer.
"I'm sorry, but it's just that I can't see you. I can't touch you. Mon, I can barely be a friend to you."
"Well, then should we just forget about this?" Monica said on the verge of tears.
"I don't want to, but can you be in a relationship that has no physical contact?"
"You're right. You are too right. I wish you were wrong!" Monica cried.
"Me too." Chandler said getting emotional himself.
"I guess we just hang up the phone and move on?" Monica said having a hard time speaking.
"I guess, I will always love you, Mon."
"I know, I will always love you, but we can't live like this."
"I just wish love didn't hurt this bad."
"I know, so I guess on three we hang up, and that's the end."
"Yeah on three..ONE..TWO..THREE" Chandler's last words before each phone clicked and both lives felt empty.
To be Continued in Chapter 2- (??) Unsure of the name
Remember that this is just the beginning, and that there is more to come, so don't hate me just yet! Please review the more I get, the more I want to write the next one! Steph :)...Oh, and Liz, sorry for not telling you about this one. I'll let you bug me about the next one :)