Sick~Chapter 2-The Burn

Hey! Time for chapter 2. I see that I've confused a few people, but that's okay. Things will be explained, just stick with it. Well, most of u were right on the ball…yes, she's in a mental institution. But ya know, that doesn't mean that she's completely lost her marbles (not saying she did, not saying she didn't…lol). There are plenty of other reasons people are put into mental asylums. Ok, hopefully, u'll figure out the difference between what's "the present" and what's flashbacks. (Underneath the line will be flashbacks, and then when they end, it'll go back to present. I don't know what else to do.) Remember, if u've read any of my other stories, you'll see that I never end anything on a sad note. Just bare that in mind. Anyway, after this long intro, chapter 2:

Disclaimer: Don't own any of these characters except the girl and the nurse/orderly/whatever she should be called. And I don't own any of the lyrics to The burn, by Matchbox 20.

"How'd you…end up here?"

Monica shook her head woefully. "It's a long, long story."

"I'm always willing to listen."

"I dunno…"

"Please?"

"Well…" Monica began, while thinking. "Okay, I'll tell you."

"Ok great! It's not like we have anywhere more important to be."

Monica laughed. "Well, it all started, I guess, when I was in my early 20's…"

"Wow! You were sick for that long?"

"No! This leads up to it!"

"Oh…"

"Besides, I'm not that old."

Julia looked away sheepishly.

"Don't interrupt me anymore."

"Ok, very sorry."

"Ok, anyway, as I was saying, it all started when I was in my early 20's. I think I was 22 or 23, but I'm not exactly sure anymore because I don't really focus on that part. All I remember is, two guys were moving into the apartment across from mine…"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Hey Monica!" my roommate, Phoebe, called from the living room.

"Yeah?" I asked, coming out of my room.

"New neighbors moving across the hall…and they're guys!"

"Are they cute?"

"I don't know! You try looking through a peephole and tell me how much you see!"

I groaned. Phoebe was always doing things like that; things that made life just a little bit more difficult for her. I guess she just liked it that way.

"Why don't you just open the door and go out and greet them."

"Hmm…I never thought of that."

She opened the door and we both went out to look for the new neighbors. When I spotted one of them, he was carrying boxes up the stairs.

"Hey, so you're just moving in here?" I asked him.

"Yeah, I am." At that point, he had reached the top of the stairs and was standing next to me. "I'm Kip." He reached his hand out, and I shook it.

"Hi, I'm Monica."

"That's a very nice name."

I blushed. "Thanks." I knew that was the oldest line in the book, but it was only recently that guys began to hit on me, since, well, I used to be overweight. Plus, Kip was very cute.

"So, where do you live?" he questioned, trying to make conversation.

"Actually, right across the hall from you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Apartment #20."

"Wow, we're neighbors…almost roommates!"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"So, speaking of roommates, you have one?"

"Yeah, I don't know where she went though. She was with me a minute ago." I looked over my shoulder, but couldn't find her. "Oh well. You'll meet her eventually. You have a roommate? Or was the other guy just helping you?"

"Nope, I have a roommate. I definitely can't afford a place like this on my own!"

"Yeah, well…I'm subletting it from my grandmother…and I shouldn't be, so please don't tell anyone! Wow, I really shouldn't have said any…"

"Don't worry about it." He smiled a reassuringly. "I won't tell a soul."

"Thanks."

"Well, I should get back to unpacking, but would you like to meet me down at the bar, at say, 7?"

"Sure, but I should warn you that my friends hang out there all the time, so we won't be alone."

"Okay, that's cool. Can I bring by my roommate, too? I'm sure that he doesn't have anything to do."

"Sure."

"Thanks. See ya later."

"Yeah, bye."

That night, I went down to the bar at seven sharp. I had to be right on time. See, I didn't want to be early, and look desperate. But I also didn't want to be late and look like a slob. First, I noticed my brother, Ross, his wife, Carol, and Phoebe playing pool. I knew they'd be there. I sat down on a barstool, and waited. Kip arrived about a minute later, but when I turned around to see him and his roommate, I gasped in surprise.

"Hey Monica!" his roommate greeted.

"H…hey. What are you…you're his…"

"Roommate, yes."

"Oh, wow, why didn't my brother tell me this? Would've spared me from an awkward moment."

"He didn't know. We just got this place like two days ago and I never got the chance to talk to Ross."

"Oh."

"Well," Kip interrupted jealously, "Looks like you two know each other..."

"No!" we both answered.

"Not like that," I clarified.

He chucked in relief. "Oh, okay."

"I was roommates at NYU with her brother."

"I see."

"Well, Ross and Carol are right over there, if you want to say hello."

"Oh yeah, great!" Chandler went over to the pool table, leaving Kip and me alone.

"Wow, it's a small city, after all, huh?" he joked.

"Really, it is. You close friends with Chandler?"

"Yeah. Well, we were friends growin' up and all."

"Oh," I replied distantly.

"You don't sound like you like him too much."

"No, no, I do."

Kip gave me an unconvinced look. "Well, we had some conflicts before, but we're mature enough to put those behind us."

"Okay, well, good. Because, if you hang out with me, you're gonna see him sometimes. And I really hope you'll hang out with me."

I smiled flirtatiously. "I guess we'll see."

"Drinks," Kip said suddenly, "I forgot to order drinks!"

"It's okay."

"All right, what would you like?"

"Umm…a beer would be fine."

"Great. Same with me! Hey, something we have in common."

I smiled at him. It was a desperate attempt, but cute, nonetheless. At least he was trying.

Once Kip and Chandler went back to their apartment, Ross came over to me. "Mon, can you believe Chandler lives right across the hall from you?!"

"No."

Ross moaned. "Come on Mon, why do you hate him so much?"

"I don't hate him."

"Right…"

"Ok, I do. So shoot me!"

"Come on, I don't get what the big deal is! I mean it was you who chopped off his toe."

"Hey! That was by accident and besides, he deserved it."

"Why? What did he do?"

"None of your business."

Ross rolled his eyes. "Jeez Mon, stop acting like such a baby."

"I'm not acting like a baby!"

"Come on, of course you are! You're holding a grudge against someone, and won't even say why."

"It's my own business."

"Come on, Mon. He's my friend and you're my sister. I just want you two to get along."

"Don't worry 'bout it so much, Ross. I can be civil."

Ross laughed.

"What? I can."

"Right, that's why you cut off his toe before."

"Shut up! You don't know the whole story!"

"Right…"

"Urgh, Ross!" I yelled and stormed away from him. Sometimes, Ross could be such a pain.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A nurse knocked on Monica's door, interrupting her story.

"Yes?" she called, irritated, from inside.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Geller, but it's time for everyone to get ready for bed."

"What do you think we are?" Monica wondered angrily, "Three year olds?"

"Well…"

"And it's not Geller, it's Bing."

"Right, I'm so sorry Mrs. Bing."

Monica and Julia both rolled their eyes.

"And Ms. Brown, it's time for you to go to your room, too."

"All right," Julia relented.

"It's Ms. Roberts," Monica corrected, with a snug look on her face. She nudged Julia in the ribs, urging her to continue.

"That's right!" Julia held her head high in the air, "It's Roberts! Julia Roberts!"

"I'm sorry," the nurse said, "But you really have to leave."

"Fine, but get it right next time!"

Julia began to follow the nurse out of Monica's room, but stopped, turned around, and mouthed "Thanks."

Monica smiled. She was glad that she could help someone out, and it had felt good to tell her story to someone. Especially since she knew that Julia wasn't psychoanalyzing her. It was the first time that she had felt remotely comfortable in a long time.

After a few minutes, Monica laid down on her bed, and waited for slumber to engulf her body. It was always like that for Monica. It took her a long time to fall asleep. She always fought to keep the thoughts that crept into her head from forming, in the darkness of night. There was something about the nighttime that made Monica think more. However, once she was asleep, she could not fight the thoughts and images that played in her head, making her slumber light and unmerciful. In this dream, Monica was in a forest. It was dark, damp, and cold, and Monica couldn't find her way out. She began to scream for help. Someone to save her from the wretched misery placed upon her. Still, no one came. Then she screamed, "Chandler!" and all the sudden, he appeared. Her heart sped up. He was so life-like; Monica thought it was him.

"Chandler!" she cried as she ran over to hug him. However, like in all of her dreams, he disappeared, leaving her heartbroken. She fell on her knees and sobbed. He always disappeared. Why did he always disappear?

I thought about

Leaving but I couldn't even get outta bed
I'm hangin' cause I couldn't get a ride outta town
Now anyone who really wanted me to be down
Come 'round

Thought about

Singin' but I couldn't remember all of the words
Breakin' but I couldn't get the pieces apart
Laughin' never knowing what the joke was about

Now I'm down
And I wonder how I never got the burn
And if I'm ever gonna learn
How lonely people make a life
One strain at a time
-except from the song The Burn, by Matchbox 20

Ok, sorry that this chapter doesn't really explain much, but that's the fun of this story! lol…Sorry if it annoys people, but you've gotta be patient. I really hope the flashback didn't confuse you…and I hope I didn't switch narration in the middle, since it's hard to write in 2 narrations. And, sorry if u still don't understand this, but I hope u can kinda just wait it out. But if u're really frustrated, ask me and I'll answer if explaining w/e u don't understand won't give away the story. Anyway, please read and review, thanks!:-)