Locked Up Tight-Chapter 7
Ok, so I'm writing Chap. 7 now, but be warned…I'm extremely exhausted, so if I make mistakes, you'll know why. Oh and if I start babbling about Algebra, than u should know, I just finished studying and I'm really worried about it. OMG I can't wait till this time Wed! BTW, thanks for all the really nice reviews. I'm glad people are enjoying this, because I really like writing this story. I think this is the farthest I've ever gotten on a story that wasn't for school…lol. Ok, well please read and review. I hope you enjoy this! Ok, since this continues from right where my last chapter lets off, let me fill you in. Monica decides that she wants to quit her job w/ Chandler b/c she thinks that she's making him uncomfortable and it bothers her that he won't act as nice as he did at that party she went to with him. However, when she tells him, he begs her not to leave, and then admits to loving her. I also strongly suggest reading the other chapters before this one.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. I'm just borrowing them from the show.
Monica was shocked out of her senses. She stood with her back still facing him, frozen.
"Y…you what?" Monica stuttered after a moment of silence, as she slowly turned to face him.
Chandler's eyes opened wide when he realized that he had just divulged his deepest secret. Not knowing what else to do, he ran his fingers through his hair and began to nervously babble.
"I…don't know what I said. What did I say? Did you hear what I said?"
"You said you love me."
"Did I?" Chandler asked anxiously, "I meant as a friend, really I did."
Unconvinced, Monica asked, "So what made you so nervous about saying it, if it was, ya know, just that you love me like a friend?"
Monica's question cornered Chandler. He didn't know how to cover up what he had said.
"I…I…I," He stuttered, but could not continue his sentence.
"Yeah?" Monica asked, hopefully.
"I…I gotta go!" he said as he ran out of the room.
Chandler dashed out of his apartment as fast as his legs could take him. He had to get away. He was running from love and escaping heartbreak. Once he was a few blocks from his house, and sure that Monica was nowhere near him, he slowed his pace and headed towards his favorite spot near the lake. He sat on the ground, allowing his feet to dangle into the lake as he absently threw pebbles into the water.
"You're such an idiot!" he yelled aloud, knowing that no one was around for miles.
Then, sadly, he added, "I ruined it. I'll never see her again."
After Chandler ran out, Monica headed to her apartment. Her mind was full of questions racing impatiently, each looking for an answer. However, they all needed answers that she was incapable of giving.
"He loves me," she whispered, stunned, as she entered her apartment.
"Hey," Rachel greeted as she got up from the sofa, but then noticed Monica's distant look, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Monica answered hastily.
"Kay…" Rachel answered skeptically.
"I tried to quit today," Monica blurted out.
"So, what happened?"
"I didn't," she stated simply as she went into her room and shut the door.
Deciding not to get hung up on Monica's behavior, Rachel looked at her friend's closed door, shook her head, and turned on the television.
After leaving the lake, Chandler walked around aimlessly for hours. Finally, he found himself at an unfamiliar bar. Relieved at the opportunity to drown out his sorrows, he hastily entered the building. The bar was fairly simple, containing a few small tables along with a bar and seven stools. It also had a pool table and dartboard. Other than that, the atmosphere was incredibly bleak. However, Chandler didn't take notice to the ambiance, as he ordered his first beer. After taking a few large gulps, he grimaced, suddenly remembering why he detested beer.
"This is not my day," he growled as he set down the glass.
"Would you like something else?" The fairly young, blond haired bartender offered.
Chandler shook his head, "Yeah, I'll have a brandy."
"Ahh, you're one of those guys," she stated simply, while filling the glass.
"One of what guys?" he asked, irritated at her generalization.
"Sophisticated, rich, broken hearted."
Angered by her comment, but shocked at her correct presumption, he answered, "How'd you know?"
"Well, the rich and sophisticated guesses were from you're clothes and looks. But the broken heart; why else does a cute, rich man go to a bar like this?"
"To drink," Chandler stated the obvious, as he downed the alcohol.
"Feel any better?" the bartended joked.
"What do you think?"
"I'm guessing no."
"Good one."
"Well Mr. broken heart, what's you're name?"
"Why?"
"Well, I'd like to know before you get too drunk to remember."
He gave her a sarcastic smile and said, "Chandler Bing."
"Ok Chandler. Don't over do it over there," she warned as she passed him his second drink, "Oh and my name's Phoebe."
Chandler just nodded, paying more attention to his drink than the bartender.
Once Chandler was extremely intoxicated, he began pouring his heart out to Phoebe.
"So, this Kathy, just left me!" he said spitefully.
"But that was five years ago," Phoebe asked, intrigued, "Why are you here now?"
Chandler looked down, "I'm in love with a woman now and I told her by mistake. But nothing could ever happen."
"Why not?"
"Because!" Chandler stated frustrated.
"You think she'll hurt you?"
Chandler shook his head vigorously, "No, she's perfect. Everything I could've ever dreamed of in a woman! She won't hurt me; a relationship will."
Phoebe argued, "How can you decide that from one relationship?"
"I just can," he rebutted, as he smacked down a handful of bills and stumbled out of the bar.
Monica laid on her bed the next morning, staring at the ceiling tiles.
"He loves me, he loves me," she repeated, over and over again, but the words couldn't sink in.
"How can he love me?"
It made no sense; he was so distant towards her. She always thought that he hated her. Now, it turns out her loved her. It was too hard to comprehend for her. Finally, she exited her room, knocking loudly on Rachel's door.
"Rachel!" she demanded while pounding.
Assuming she knew why Monica was upset she called from inside her room, "I cleaned the dishes last night; I swear it!"
"I know. It's not about that. I need to talk to you."
Concerned, Rachel exited from her room, "What's up sweetie?"
"Well, umm, there's more to my, uh, Chandler story than what I told you."
"I figured," Rachel joked, but off Monica's angry look insisted, "Go on."
"Well, so I told him that I thought it would be best if I looked for a new job because it was only a temporary job and all."
"Yeah?"
"Well, he begged me not to quit. And whenever I would ask why, he would make up some phony excuse. Finally, I turn around to leave and he…" Monica stopped, unable to finish her story.
"He what?" Rachel asked, very interested.
Meekly she answered, "He told me he loved me."
Rachel raised her eyebrows in shock, "Oh my God!"
"I know!"
"Well, do you love him?"
She hesitated, "I…I don't know."
"I think you do."
"Why would you think that?"
"Because," Rachel explained, "For one thing, you wouldn't care so much about this if you didn't feel something for him, even if not love. Two…you looked pretty content with him that night of the party."
"Yeah…" Monica stated, off in another world.
"So what happened after he told you?"
"Well, first, he denied it. Then, when he saw that he couldn't take it back, he ran out of his house."
"Aww, I'm sorry hun."
"Yeah."
"Are you going to do anything about it?"
Monica thought for a moment and then excitedly answered, "Yeah!"
She grabbed her coat and purse and ran from the apartment, leaving behind a very bewildered Rachel.
Somehow, Chandler made his way back to his house, which was around ten minutes, walking distance, from the bar. Once there, he collapsed on his sofa in the living room, not having enough energy to make it to his room.
"Chandler!" someone called, awaking him from his deep slumber.
"Hmm?" he asked, vaguely aware that he was awake.
"What happened to you man?" Joey asked as he taped him on the arm.
"I got a little drunk."
"A little?"
"Ok, a lot," Chandler confessed sheepishly.
"What's wrong with you?" Joey asked, concerned.
"Nothing, just leave me alone!"
"Fine," Joey stated as he exited the room.
Chandler fell back upon the sofa, only to be awaken a few minutes later by the door opening loudly.
"Oww," Chandler complained, noticing his hangover for the first time.
He then looked up, shocked to see Monica standing before him.
"We have to talk," she stated bluntly, while looking him straight in the eyes.
"Okay…" Chandler agreed, not having the energy to escape her again.
"Why'd you run away last night?"
Puzzled by her choice of questions, Chandler answered, "Because, I don't need more rejection, okay? Do you even know how it feels to…?"
She cut him off before he could finish his question, "Don't think you're the only one who's ever been heart broken."
Chandler looked away, ashamed.
Monica sat down next to Chandler and looked away. "Maybe I love you, too," she claimed, barely audible.
This time, it was Chandler's turn to be shocked. He turned to her and stared at her, looking for a hint of a cruel joke. However, he saw nothing but honesty. He reached out and caressed her cheek with the side of his index finger, transfixed by her soft skin.
Suddenly, jolting out of his daze, he informed her in a hushed voice, "I can't."
Ok there we go, chapter 7:) Sorry about all the cliffhangers, but I need to keep you waiting…lol. I hope you're enjoying my story. I'll have the next part posted shortly—I'm thinking along the lines of Wed. night or Thurs., once school's out for the holiday. (yay!) Until then, please leave me a review. Oh, and this WILL have a happy ending, b/c I wouldn't have it any other way. So, don't get discouraged if you're looking for one; it will come. And for anyone who wants a sad ending, sorry, but this ending will probably not please you.