Hello everyone! I'm so, so, so sorry for leaving you for more than a month! I didn't give up on this story, I just procrastinated on my master's thesis until the last minute, and then had to do a lot of things near the deadline. But now that it's over, I will go back to the regular updates.
I just want to give a big thank you to everyone who is still reading this story, everyone new, who started to read it meanwhile, and to everyone who reviewed while I was absent. So, thank you so much, Black Doe and Mille! I will surely keep on updating this story. As for the guest reviews: I know that Rachel is the older sister and that Jack only bought the beach house when Monica was already much older. But as I said in the beginning, this story has some slight AU things, with Rachel being the middle sister being one of them. As for the beach house, I thought it would be a good idea for the group to have some time off the school.
Anyway, I'll leave you to read this long-awaited chapter. I hope you all Roschel fans enjoy it!
Big hug, and see you soon!
When Rachel woke up, she immediately noticed the quietness in the room. She looked around and saw Monica's empty bed and a note with her handwriting on the bedside table saying she'd gone for a run. By the sun outside, Rachel realized everyone must have already been up, so she headed downstairs for breakfast.
When she entered the kitchen, everyone else was already at the table, and the coffee machine was already running. But something was missing. When they came to the cabin, Monica usually woke up earlier and prepared pancakes for everyone else. But today, Monica wasn't around, and there were no pancakes.
"I don't think any breakfast other than pancakes will ever taste good out here," Ross said as if he'd read Rachel's thoughts.
Rachel agreed, looking around, and suddenly an idea struck her.
"Why don't we make pancakes? They won't be the same as Monica's, but it doesn't sound too hard to make either."
Ross looked at her like she'd had the dumbest idea ever.
"If I remember right, things didn't go very well when you tried to help Monica with her cookies for Christmas last year."
Rachel grimaced at the memory. Monica had made cookies for the Christmas party and had trusted Rachel with the task of helping decorate them. And somewhat, Rachel managed to mix the different coloured pastry bags of buttercream and, needless to say, ruined a whole afternoon of work for Monica.
"It was just that time. And it's not my fault those tiny metal pieces are so difficult to hold in place!"
Ross seemed to be about to protest Rachel's argument, but then, a loud sound came from his stomach, and he lowered his head in defeat.
"Fine. But only because I'm hungry, and we don't know how long we would have to wait for Monica to make the pancakes."
Happy about winning the conversation, Rachel grabbed the recipe book, looking for the needed ingredients, while Ross looked for a pan. Minutes after, the duo had everything set to start making pancakes.
Rachel knew she wasn't the best cooker ever, and the memory of her cookies' failure was proof. But she wanted to show everyone else she could cook without making a mess. Besides, what could go wrong? She was following the instructions written in the book.
Ross attentively observed while Rachel moved around the kitchen, looking for the ingredients. Rachel looked focused and happy, and for the first five minutes, Ross believed they could actually do it. That was, of course, until Rachel placed the salt container on the countertop instead of the sugar.
Ross didn't want to tell Rachel she had already messed up, but he didn't want to eat salty pancakes either. Rachel had already started to place the ingredients in a bowl when Ross had an idea that could solve his problem.
"Hey, Rach; Why don't we add some chocolate? I think it's in that cabinet over there. Can you check it?" He asked in an attempt to distract Rachel.
Luckily, she agreed to his suggestion, and while Rachel looked for the chocolate, Ross switched the containers without Rachel noticing. Relieved for saving the pancakes, Ross watched Rachel placing the mixer into the bowl.
However, when she started the mixer and nothing happened, Rachel looked disappointed at the machine.
"You know, Rachel, it would work better if you connected it to the plug," Ross teased a bit, grabbing the unplugged cable.
"Minor detail. At least I didn't mess up the batter. Just plug it, please!"
Ross did as Rachel told him. However, as soon as he did it, a wave of flour flew directly to their faces, and both ended up covered in flour.
"Sorry, I didn't know it would be so strong," Rachel said apologetically. Then, she looked directly at Ross, who was still coughing flour and started to laugh.
"You should see your face!" Rachel explained.
"I think it's better if I do it, Rach," Ross suggested after cleaning all the white powder from his face.
"No! I wanna do it!" Rachel whimpered.
"Fine, but let me explain how to do it!"
And so Ross explained to Rachel how to use the mixer properly, and together in no time, they had the batter ready to cook. Not without more flour and batter flying into their face and a half ending in the countertop. Then, they turned the stove on and picked a ladle to put the batter in the pan. The first pancake went into the pan, and Ross and Rachel watched as it cooked.
"Now, let's turn it!" Rachel said, already picking up the spatula. However, when Rachel tried to flip the pancake, it just broke in half.
Decided to make a good pancake, Rachel kept trying - and destroying pancakes - until she finally managed to flip one entirely.
"I knew I could do it! See, Ross, I can make good pancakes!" Rachel exclaimed excitedly, accidentally throwing some pancake batter still on the spoon to Ross's face.
"I'm sorry again," Rachel said, this time not bothering to hide her laugh. How could she still look so adorable, all messed up, covered by flour?
In response, Ross did the only logical thing: he picked up some batter from the kitchen countertop and smeared it in Rachel's face.
"Now we're even!"
"No way! You put much more in my face. Besides, I did it by accident!" Rachel complained, throwing some more batter at Ross.
And suddenly, the pancake-making turned into a batter fight that was only interrupted by the burnt smell that suddenly filled the kitchen.
"Oh no! My good pancake!" Rachel cried, looking at the black burned pancake on the stove.
"You could always make another," Ross suggested before looking at the bowl and noticing no batter was left.
At that exact moment, the kitchen door opened.
"Oh my god! What happened here?!" Monica exclaimed, looking at the messiness of the kitchen and the pile of bits of destroyed pancakes.
"Rachel decided to make pancakes," Ross tried to explain, fearing Monica's reaction to letting Rachel play around the kitchen.
"We made pancakes. Ross also helped!" Rachel exclaimed excitedly, pointing to the pieces on the plate. On any other occasion, Ross would be thrilled Rachel decided to share the credits with him. On any other occasion.
"Are you sure? I don't think your faces are the best way to cook them," Chandler intervened in his usual sarcastic tone.
Rachel shot Chandler a look Ross expected to never see directed at him, and then, Chandler turned to him.
"You still have a little bit of face there, dude," Chandler laughed, pointing to the only spot in Ross's face that wasn't covered with flour.
"Well...," Monica started, "I'm famished, so I guess pieces of pancakes will have to do for breakfast," She concluded.
And so it was. The four friends sat together at the table, eating the few pieces of pancakes Rachel managed to cook, which were actually edible and not so bad-tasting if Ross would tell.
Later that day, already night, Rachel and Monica were sitting on the floor of Monica's bedroom, Rachel painting her nails while Monica was doing a puzzle.
"What's going on with you and my brother?" Monica suddenly asked.
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked, confused about Monica's question.
"You know, you've been getting closer, and today his puppy eyes were even more intolerable. Don't tell me you also like Ross; that would be kinda weird, Rach!"
"Oh. We already talked about it! Don't worry, Mon, I won't start dating your brother. I guess he just became a good friend. We actually had fun this morning, you know?"
"Oh, good," Monica said, relieved. "Because I don't know how I would feel about my best friend dating my brother," she laughed, and Rachel followed.
"Speaking of dating, you never told me why things didn't work out with Ryan!" Monica remembered.
Rachel's mood faded at Monica's question. She knew she would have to talk about it with her best friend someday, but she wasn't ready to talk about it now.
"Oh, that. I already told you. We weren't together very often because Ryan's tutoring lessons were on the days I was free from cheerleading," Rachel tried to answer casually.
Unfortunately, Monica did not drop the subject.
"Oh, c'mon, Rach! I'm your best friend, why can't you tell me? We tell each other everything. And I know you're not telling the truth because I can see it. I never heard you gushing about Ryan as you did with Liam, and I don't think you tried as hard to make it work."
The mention of Rachel's previous boyfriend sent a wave of hurt to her chest. It had been a long time, but Monica was right. Rachel had never liked anyone as much as she had liked - or maybe even loved - Liam. A stubborn tear ran down her face, and before Rachel could process it, Monica wrapped Rachel in her arms.
"I'm sorry, Rach. I didn't mean to remind you of it," Monica apologized. "I will think before speaking the next time!"
Seeing her best friend's care and honesty, Rachel realized it was best to tell Monica why she'd dated Ryan. And why she hadn't told her before.
"Okay, I will tell you," Rachel said, wiping away the tears from her face.
"So, you remember the card I received on Valentine's day?" Rachel started.
Monica thought for a moment before answering.
"Oh my god, yes! You received Valentine's card from Chip Matthews! Why did you choose Ryan over Chip? You must be crazy, Rach!"
"Well... I did it because of you. I mean, because of what happened with Liam."
Monica looked at Rachel, slightly confused.
"I mean. I know you also have a crush on Chip, Mon. And I was afraid you wouldn't like it if I dated him, that you would be jealous. And I meant it when I promised you our friendship would never be affected by boys. You know, after Liam and I broke up."
"Oh. That's why you dated Ryan? To not date Chip?"
"Yeah, yes. Ryan asked me out after English class, and I accepted. That way, I wouldn't have to choose between you and Chip. I don't want our friendship to be almost ruined because of a guy again. You're my best friend, Mon," Rachel finally confessed her feelings. "Besides, Ryan's not too bad to look," Rachel added with a wink, trying to lift the mood.
"I'm sorry, Rach," Monica said. "I didn't know you never dated Chip because of me. Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"It's okay, Mon," Rachel assured her best friend. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to feel like it was your fault."
Monica smiled at Rachel's reassurance.
"You know; I know Chip will never like me. I'm not as pretty and popular as you. So, it's okay. If you still like him, you should be his girlfriend," Monica answered sincerely.
Monica's proposal seemed tempting.
"Are you sure, Mon? I don't want you to think again that I don't like you."
"It's okay, Rach. This time I know you still want to be my friend. Just don't forget too much about me," Monica joked. "Besides, I really appreciate that you did it for me, but I don't want you to not have a boyfriend because of our pact."
Sometimes Rachel wondered how she deserved a best friend with a heart as big as Monica's. She surely didn't deserve it in the past, yet Monica had forgiven her instantly. And now, Monica was trusting Rachel with their friendship, saying that she wouldn't mind if Rachel dated the guy Monica had a crush on.
"I love you," Rachel said, sinking further into Monica's embrace. "And if anything happens, I will always choose you over Chip, I promise, honey."