Locked Up Tight-Chapter 5
Finally it's the weekend! I'm so grateful, although I have a lot of homework to do. Hopefully, I'll finish it all, go shopping, and be able to write more this weekend. That's wishful thinking though. You know what I've been pondering today—why is it referred to as raising your hand? I mean, yes, your hand is raised in the air, but it should be raising your arm, because your hand cannot be raised without your arm being raised, too. Wow, I have way too much time on my hands (and by time, I mean boring classes). Ok here's chapter 5—read, review, and hopefully enjoy! *Crossing my fingers*
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters—they belong to the creative geniuses (imo) who created them. And also, those lucky people down at NBC who have legal right on them, too.
Monica and Chandler arrived at the party, and Monica was shocked by the sophistication and beauty of the ball. It was in the interior of a very expensive New York hotel, complete with satin tablecloths and ice sculptures. The men were all dressed in very expensive, designer tuxedos, discussing business, politics, sports, and any other topic on their mind, while the women showed off their newly purchased dresses and gossiped about those they knew. Monica felt strangely out of place at the party, but after looking at Chandler, it was apparent that he was having no more fun than she.
"So," Chandler attempted gloomily, trying to break the silence that had begun between them ever since they had entered the building, "Interesting party, huh?"
"Don't you go to these types of parties a lot?" Monica asked, surprised at his sulking.
"Nah, not really."
"Why not?" Monica pressed, trying to get him to talk more.
Chandler shrugged, "They're boring, the people are boring, and I don't really have anyone to go with, so ya know…"
"So why'd you go today?"
"Well, I try to make at least one appearance at something each year so that these people don't think that I'm completely socially dead."
"I see."
Again, silence engulfed them, making Monica restless. She wanted to know more about him more. Something about Chandler struck her interest, although what that was, she was unsure of.
"Umm," Monica ventured, "What exactly do you do as your job?"
Chandler smiled slightly, "Nobody really knows."
Monica smiled, too, glad that he was able to make a joke. He had seemed so serious before; she felt he needed to lighten up.
"So you do make jokes then, huh?"
Chandler hung his head low. "Sorry I've been such a jerk, it's just…"
"Stress," Monica finished, "I know."
Chandler smiled at Monica, glad that she wasn't pressing him for details. He began to feel even more comfortable around her after that.
"So," Chandler summed up his story with Monica laughing hysterically, "The peacock bit me!"
"I can't believe it!"
"Well, it's true."
"Wow! That's really funny."
"Well it was quite painful at the time, but now it is pretty funny."
Chandler didn't even notice that he had been acting almost like his old self, before his heart was broken. He was making jokes, smiling, and not feeling depressed and bitter for once in his life. It was the first night in a long time that Chandler wasn't hung up on the past, but instead, living in the present.
"I think this is the most fun I've had at one of these types of parties ever," Chandler commented once the laughter had died down.
"Well," Monica began, "I haven't been to any parties to compare this to, but I'm sure having fun. It's the most fun I've had without being totally wasted in a long while." Monica looked down, ashamed, after she mentioned that fact.
This did not go unnoticed by Chandler, and he asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Monica replied hastily.
Chandler raised an eyebrow skeptically at Monica. He could tell that was not as happy as she had been the minute before.
"It's just," Monica began slowly, "I recently got out of a pretty serious relationship. We didn't exactly end on the…best terms I guess you could say. It's been pretty tough on me since then."
"I'm sorry," Chandler answered sincerely. He noticed the pain she had from talking about her past relationship and hated seeing her upset. "You know," Chandler consoled, "I think that you're an excellent catch. Anyone who hurts you is just…plain stupid!"
Monica smiled genially at him. "Thanks."
After a moment, Chandler somehow managed to find some courage as he began, "I know how it feels, too."
"What?" Monica asked, confused at his comment.
Not knowing where this newfound confidence came from, but getting too far in to stop, he explained, "I know how it feels to have your heart broken, too."
"You do?" Monica asked, trying to sound surprised, even though she already knew a bit about him from Joey.
"Yeah. I had this girlfriend, Kathy, and I was really crazy about her."
"What happened?"
"She broke my heart. Cheated on me with some other guy. It turns out she was just with me for my money."
Monica bit her lip out of sympathy, "That must've been terrible!"
"Yeah, it was."
"I'm sorry."
"If you don't mind me asking," Chandler ventured curiously, "What happened with your relationship?"
Monica hesitated a moment before answering, "He was just…nasty to people. I didn't like being around a guy who always insulted people." Monica hated lying to Chandler, especially since he had admitted the truth to her about his relationship. However, it was too painful and embarrassing for her to admit what really happened. "There's no need to open up old wounds," Monica defended to herself after she fibbed to Chandler.
Chandler nodded at her story, pretending to believe it. However, he saw right through her. For some reason, he could read her like a book. It was as if his emotions were mirrored in her face. He could tell that she had been hurt worse than that; and that it left her feeling empty inside. However, he decided not to press the topic further. Instead, he held his hand out for her and asked, "Would you care to dance?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Monica joked as she reached for his outstretched arm.
Chandler was thoroughly enjoying his time with Monica. She made him laugh and feel happy. He was astonished that she was so nice to him, even though he had acted so harshly towards her when they first met. He pulled her close to him as they approached the dance floor. He had his arms loosely hung around her waist, as she lightly hugged the back of his neck, while swaying to the music played by the orchestra behind them. He couldn't help but feel incredibly comfortable being so close to her. He treasured feeling her body near him, as he closed his eyes and allowed himself to get caught up in the moment.
While dancing, Monica looked at Chandler with his eyes closed. She smiled, feeling content in his arms, as she, too, closed her eyes. She listened to the orchestra playing in the background, feeling more comfortable then she had felt in a long time. She felt safe in Chandler's arms; she couldn't believe that this was the man whom she once considered to be uncaring. When she opened her eyes, she saw him staring down at her. She looked up at him and suddenly his hands cradled the back of her head as he pulled her into a kiss. She kissed him back deeply, enjoying the feel of his lips on hers. For a fleeting moment, neither thought of the reproductions that the kiss could bring on. However, after what seemed like forever, Chandler gained composure, and stopped the kiss.
Trying to hide her disappointment, Monica stuttered, "I…I'm so sorry, I should not have done that."
"No it's okay," Chandler answered nervously, "It's my fault, too. Let's just—pretend it never happened."
"Okay," Monica agreed, but knew that task would prove to be impossible for her.
"Great," Chandler replied, also aware that he would never be able to forget that kiss. It was too great; everything he had been dreaming of for so long came true. He knew that he wouldn't forget it, ever.
The awkward air that had accompanied them at the very beginning of the party was back, and Chandler reprimanded himself for allowing him to get carried away.
"It's getting late," Chandler stated, noticing that it was past midnight, "Let me take you home."
"Yeah," Monica answered softly, "That would be good."
The ride to Monica's apartment was completely silent, both people caught up in their thoughts and feelings. When they arrived at her apartment, Chandler walked her to her place. Even though he did not want to be around her any longer because he was feeling too many emotions, he decided that it was the gentleman-like thing to do.
"Thank you for accompanying me this evening, Monica."
"Thanks for taking me; it was fun."
"Yeah," Chandler paused awkwardly, "Well, I guess…I'll see you…tomorrow at work."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
With that Monica walked into her apartment, glad to escape the discomfort of the hall.
"So," Rachel, who was sitting at the kitchen table with a glass of water pressed, "How'd it go?"
"Good," Monica lied. It had been good until it was ruined with the uneasiness following that kiss. However, she was not about to tell her roommate what happened. Knowing Rachel, she would annoy her to go out with Chandler. She definitely didn't need any pressure from outside sources. Her mind and heart were too confused for that at the moment. She was feeling things that she had never felt before.
"Tell me more!" Rachel demanded.
"Did you stay up waiting for me?"
"Maybe…"
"Well, you'll have to wait longer. I'm too tired to talk; I'm going to sleep."
"Uch," Rachel complained, "That's totally unfair."
"Yeah, well, life's a bitch," Monica replied as she walked towards her room.
Rachel called after her, "No, you're confusing life with yourself."
Normally Monica would think of a come back, but tonight she was too busy with other emotions for those silly games. She then retired to her room for a long, sleepless night.
Chandler walked to the spot that he often went to in order to clear his head. He didn't know how he would be able to ever deal with her again, after that kiss.
"I shouldn't have listened to Joey," he scolded.
Looking over the lake he wondered, "How could I have been so stupid?"
Kissing her was the biggest mistake he had ever made. "No," he decided after a moment, "Falling in love with her was worse."
As long as people still like this, I'm thinking chapter 6 will be up by Sunday, the latest, hopefully. Well, if you want it to be up sooner, then review. Otherwise, I may decide it's not worth perusing this fic. The choice is yours…God I hope it's a the choice I want…lol…no pressure.