Writings on the Wall – Chapter 5
A/N: I took the SAT's this weekend…one would think, with the money that the College Board is charging for this test, that they could get us a building with…I don't know…a heater! Geeze. Haha. Okay, so, this fanfic isn't as popular as I would've hoped, but that's okay. :D I still like it. Well, I will like it. This chapter is just kind of a bridge from one part to another. I also took creative license with some "research" Chandler will find in this chapter b/c…well, it's my story and I need it to fit. ;) I hope you don't fall asleep during this. ;) Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. :'( But I do own a copy of Cosmo magazine with Matthew Perry! Haha on Friday, I bought 2 copies (I'm not that insane-obsessed – one's for my friend) and the lady at the checkout gave me this look. She could only be thinking, 'why in God's name is this girl buying two copies of a magazine that says "how to find your n-spot" on the cover?!' (yes, N-spot – teehee).
Dedicated to my Yen. Good luck on your finals! You'll do great; I know it. You're too smart for your own good. And, if you do really well, you can always come here and take my finals at the end of the year for me! ;)
Monica walked to her locker and slowly gathered her books. She yawned and leaned her head on the metal door. She hadn't realized just how tired she was until she arrived at school. At least it's Friday, she reminded herself. Monica closed her eyes and sighed. She was so confused. Just when she felt her life was finally looking up, nothing was right anymore. Maybe I am insane, she thought sadly. But Chandler believed her. So, maybe she wasn't.
Upon hearing the first bell ring, Monica straightened, yawned again, and slammed her locker shut. She began to head to her first class, but was stopped by a hand grabbing her wrist. She turned around and sighed.
"John…"
"No, wait, Monica. I'm really sorry about what I said before. I was just busy, ya know? My mind was on the game," he moved in closer, "But I really do care about you."
She looked up at him as he moved closer, until his forehead was leaning against his.
"I know. It's just – I'm going through a lot right now. It hurt to hear that you didn't believe me."
"No, it's not that, I promise. I believe you."
Monica sighed and smiled slightly, "Okay."
"Okay? So we're good?"
"Yeah."
John smiled and placed a soft kiss on her lips. After a moment, the kiss intensified and his hands were roaming down Monica's back. Suddenly, his hands stopped moving. They broke apart. John looked her up and down, puzzled.
"What are you wearing these clothes for?"
She shrugged, "I wanted something comfortable."
"Yeah, but these are guys clothes."
"So? A girl doesn't have the right –"
"Oh don't start that, Monica!"
"Look, they're Ross' clothes, okay? But even if they weren't, you have to trust me."
"They're Ross'?"
"Yes, my brother."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Okay, yeah, I mean I do trust you. I'm sorry."
Monica nodded. He was about to move in for another kiss, when she noticed just how empty the hall had gotten.
"Oh my God, I have to get to class!" she yelled, before kissing him on the cheek and running down the hall.
John watched her as she ran, a frown residing on his face. He felt someone hit him on the shoulder, and turned around.
"Hey Joe."
Joey looked in the same direction John was staring at. "What are we looking at?"
"Do you think Monica's cheating on me?"
Joey raised his eyebrows, "I dunno. I've never spoken to the girl."
He bit his lip and nodded, "I guess she's not. But she's acting really weird."
"What are you doing with her, anyway? I mean I thought, ever since your ex, you were done with high school girls?"
John studied Joey for a moment. "You friends with Ross Geller?"
"Who?"
"Good," he paused, "It's for the sex, dude!"
He winked at Joey and Joey reciprocated.
"Well, I gotta go, Buddy. I'll see ya around."
"Yeah, see ya."
Joey watched as John walked away. He shook his head and turned away. Even Joey wasn't desperate enough to trick a girl for sex.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The last period bell rung and Monica left the classroom as fast as she could. Finally, the day was over; the week was over. The day had been terrible. She fell asleep in math and got her first detention ever. It could only get better now. She found John waiting at her locker and fell into his arms. He kissed her hair.
"Long day?"
"Like you'll never imagine. I just want to find Ross and get the hell out of here."
"S-so, you don't want to hang out tonight? Ya know, you can come over after school, do homework and then we'll go for dinner or something?"
"No, I'm sorry, I'm way too tired. Plus, I'm pretty sure I'm about to get grounded, so I should really head home."
He titled his head, "If you're sure…"
"I'm sure," she patted his arm, "Tomorrow."
"Okay," he relented, leaning in for a kiss.
However, before their lips touched, Monica's name was called, causing her to turn around. He groaned.
"Hey Mon!" Ross ran over to here, "Where have you been?!"
"I went to school early."
"Mom's pissed."
Monica shrugged. Ross squinted his eyes.
"Why are you wearing mens' clothing?"
"What? No, I'm – I'm wearing your clothes."
"Huh? Those aren't my clothes."
Monica glared at him and through clenched teeth said, "Yes, they are."
"I think I would know what my clothes look like!" Ross replied, unaware of his sister's discomfort.
John studied Monica, "So they're not Ross' clothes?"
She looked down, "No."
"Well, whose are they?! Why did you have to lie?"
"Look, John, I just didn't want you to jump to conclusions!"
"Whose are they?"
"Chandler's," she mumbled.
"That bastard."
"I swear we didn't do anything!"
"Oh come on! Why else would you be wearing his clothes?"
"Because I went to his house this morning, just to talk, and my clothes got wet from the rain!"
"I thought you said you went to school early?" Ross interrupted.
"Ross, just butt out!"
"Yeah! Why did you have to lie to your brother?! I can't believe this!"
"Look, John –" but before she could continue, he was walking angrily down the hall.
Monica ran through the swarm of people, but couldn't find where her boyfriend had gone. She stood on her toes, looking for any trace of John, or even Chandler, so that she could warn him. Finally, Monica left the building, and saw a group of people gathered in a circle, chanting the words, "fight, fight" over and over again. Monica broke through the crowd of people.
She gasped at what she saw. John had Chandler pinned to the ground, but every time he through a punch, Chandler would move his head out of the way. She couldn't watch anymore.
"John!" she screamed.
He didn't listen to her, as he continued to throw unsuccessful punches. He was getting frustrated. Suddenly, Joey broke through the crowd and pinned John's arms around his back. John struggled for a few moments, but upon realizing Joey had the advantage, stopped squirming. Chandler sighed and stared up at the sky.
Monica shook her head. "I can't believe you, John."
"Hey, I was only doing what I'm entitled to do as the boyfriend!"
"Well, don't feel entitled anymore because you're no longer my boyfriend."
John was taken aback by her words. The rest of the people, who stopped chanting and started listening instead, gasped.
She held her hand out to Chandler. He studied her for a few moments, before grabbing it. At first, he was a little shaky on his feet.
"Let's go, Chandler," she demanded, before turning around.
Chandler looked around for a few moments, before following her. The crowd cheered and whistled. John began to curse at the crowd, but his eyes never left Chandler and Monica.
- - - - - - - - - - -
They walked through the now empty school building in silence. Monica looked up and found Chandler's eyes on her.
"I'm really sorry," she whispered.
"Don't worry about it. It's not your fault."
"No, I shouldn't have come over –"
"That's not true! We weren't doing anything wrong! He's just jealous."
"Yeah…"
"Look, I'm sorry that you had to break up with him, and I hope you don't feel weird around me now," he looked at the wall behind Monica, "I wasn't…kidding when I said I could use a friend though."
"Thanks, Chandler."
"I really do still wanna help you and stuff."
"Really?"
"Yeah! Actually…" Chandler stopped and took his bookbag off his shoulder. Monica stopped and watched him curiously, "I went to the library during my study hall and I found this…"
Chandler handed her his notebook. There was a page of handwritten notes on it. She began to read it.
"I know it isn't much," he continued, "But I mean how much are you gonna find on this in a school library?"
"Switching places with the dead," she read, "But it says here people do this willingly…" she looked up, alarmed, "Do you think we switched? But how? I mean I don't feel…dead."
Chandler shrugged. "I have no idea. But it talks about knowing things that you wouldn't necessarily know. Like that dream – her death. And my name…that first time we saw each other. You knew my name, and then you didn't."
Monica nodded and continued to read.
"I think if we go to the public library, we might be able to find more."
Monica looked up and saw Ross heading towards them.
"Yeah, umm, how about tonight? Or are you too busy?"
"Tonight? No, tonight's fine."
"Can you just do me a favor?"
"Sure, what?"
Monica watched her brother anxiously, as he approached, "Don't tell anyone about this."
- - - - - - - -
"How could you just leave, Monica?! " her mother yelled, "It was still dark - you could have gotten hurt!"
"I'm not a baby, Mother. If I'm old enough to drive, I think I'm old enough to walk to school myself."
"Being in a car and walking outside are two different things. There are some crazy predators who would jump at the chance to steal away your innocence, Monica!"
"I was being careful!"
"I don't care. You're grounded for two weeks. The only place you can go is school."
"But Mom –"
"This discussion is over."
Monica stormed up the stairs, threw her door opened, and slammed it shut again. It wasn't fair! She was going through something that no one else even took the time to understand. Yet, now that she wanted to fix it, people wouldn't let her! Her boyfriend thought she was cheating on him, her mother thought she was being irresponsible…Monica sighed. She wasn't going to let this get her down.
She picked up her phone and sifted through the phonebook for a few seconds. Then, she found the number she was looking for and carefully dialed it.
"Hey, Chandler?" Monica began, "Yeah, about tonight…can you meet me around the side of the house?"
A/N: I promise this'll get more interesting. Well, my opinion of interesting, heh. :'( Well, I'm going to get back to my snowday (yayee! *dances*) and watch more movies. I just finished The Whole Nine Yards. I think I'll watch some of Fools Rush In…again. Haha that movie is so bad that it's good. "Shit, sorry, shit!" Haha Yen. ;)