Chapter Five: Just Be There

OK, you seem to be wanting to find out what's wrong with Monica, and you want some more Mondler moments? Fine-hope this chapter lives up to all expectations! Warning: some things in this chapter may disturb you, so this chapter is probably drawing closer to an R rating-but I'm not sure. If you're British, it's more of a 15 rating. Please read and review.

"Monica?" Ross called softly as he knocked at his sister's door. He heard a gulp from inside, and a muffled "Go away" as a response.

"Mon, I want to help you," Ross said truthfully, and went to open the door. As if she suspected what he was about to do, she flung open the door and glared angrily at him, her face and eyes red from crying and her lip trembling.

"Ross, PLEASE just leave me alone! You.... oh, you'll never understand," she said, and slammed the door in his face. Ross, feeling hurt, shrugged and went to his room. He didn't want to give up on his sister, but she was making it pretty damn difficult not to.

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"Hello?" Jack asked, answering the phone on the third ring. "Who is this?"

Chandler gulped. He'd hoped that Monica would answer the phone. He didn't like the idea of having to ask Monica's father to speak to her. He thought he might question her about him... and he didn't want to cause her more problems than she already had.

"Hi, is Monica there?" Chandler asked slowly.

Jack was surprised to hear a boys voice on the other end-especially one which he recognised. He couldn't work out who it was, but he was pretty sure it was one of Ross' friends. "Yeah, I think she's upstairs... who is this?" he asked, confused.

"Chandler," he said, regretting it straight away. Surely Jack would recognise the name, and wonder why Ross' best friend was ringing Monica. But he didn't seem to, and, getting up from the sofa, he took the cordless phone with him as he went to find his daughter.

"Judy?" he said. "Where's Monica?"

"Upstairs," came the desolate reply. "Probably crying."

Jack frowned. He was worried about his daughter, even more than usual now. She suddenly seemed much worse, but maybe this young man would be able to help her... maybe they talked to each other about their problems.

"MONICA? Phone!" Jack yelled up the stairs.

Monica heard her dad's voice, and was surprised to hear that the phone was for her. Pulling herself up from her bed, she went downstairs and took the phone off of her dad, giving him a small smile which he returned.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Hey Mon, it's me... listen, do you think you could get to the park in, say, 15 minutes?"

Monica was surprised. What exactly was he asking her to do? And why?

"Yeah sure... why, exactly?"

There was a silence on the other end, before Chandler replied hesitantly: "I need to talk to someone. Anyone. But I really want to talk to you."

Monica was surprised, but felt a little flattered. "Err... sure," she said finally, thinking for a few minutes. "I'll be there once I've got changed."

Chandler breathed a sigh of relief. At least she'd agreed to meet him. As he put the phone down, a smile crept over his face. It seemed as though he may have made a friend for life.

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This was how it happened last time.. why have I let myself get caught up in this again? I put my trust in men... they just let me down, they always do. All they ever want is one thing... although last time, he was actually a man...

Chandler's just a boy. Nothing like that can be going through his mind... can it? I see him sitting on our bench.. that bench where Ross found us. Last time I was fine. I let myself forget that day. That day that I try to forget all the time. When I first met Chandler in the park, it was easy. The fears washed away, it was by pure coincidence that we met. He had nothing going through his mind, apart from the imminent divorce of his parents. He needed someone to talk to him. And I was willing to listen, to talk, to help. I let him confide in me. But now he's seeking me out. Phoning me at home. Why would he do that? It's not a coincidence anymore. He wants to see me. Why?

I know I shouldn't let what happened to me before get in the way of what looks like a wonderful friendship with a guy who is sweet, kind, and who wants to help me as much as I want to help him. But as he looks at me, his smile melting my heart, I feel stiff all of a sudden. As I sit beside him, as he turns to me, ready to talk... I want to run. Run, run, far away, before this gets out of hand.

But we're in a park. What can happen in a park? It's an open space, people are all around, walking their dogs, chatting. It's a beautiful day for late November. If I had to scream, someone would hear me... unlike last time.

Oh no. He's putting his arm around me. He's seen the tears in my eyes. The words... "Tell me what's going on..." I can hear him talking, but my brain doesn't want to listen to the soothing feel of his voice. I can't let myself like him too much. If I like him too much, I will put my trust in him.. he will take advantage of me... I was just 15. Fifteen. Who would do that to a fifteen year old? It's not right... no one knows. No one will ever know. I can't tell Chandler. I can't tell anyone. No one can take away what happened to me. No one can give it back. No one can help me.

Chandler saw the look in Monica's eyes, and felt startled suddenly. What was this deep secret that she wouldn't tell anyone? He desperately wanted to help her, but he sensed she wouldn't let anyone in. He put his arm round her, and sensed immediately that she was uncomfortable with it, so quickly took his arm away.

"Monica?" he asked gently, taking her hand, feeling he had to help her in some way, just let her know he wanted to help. "Please... Monica... talk to me."

He could see the tears falling down, cascading, almost. He desperately needed her to know that he cared about her, as little as he knew of her. And as she watched him, she could almost see what he was feeling for her, and slowly began to understand that she could trust him. But not yet. Maybe not ever. But she had no need to be afraid of him.

"I can't," she said, her voice catching. The wind swept past them suddenly, and her hair was caught in the breeze. She looked so dramatic to Chandler all of a sudden, so beautiful... so desperate. Had she gone all this time with no one to care about her? No one else seemed to have noticed the pain she was going through.

Before he could say anything else, she stopped him with a look that made him forget everything except her. She smiled gently, sadly, and whispered "Please. Just be there. For me."

As they hugged, Chandler could only imagine what she was going through, and his face changed from worried for himself, to determined. Determined to help Monica. In any way he could.

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This chapter was incresibly hard to write, although it may not appear it did, as it is not very long, and Monica still hasn't told anyone. I'm really, really sorry if this chapter has offended anyone in any way. I've tried so hard not to make it bad, especially as Monica is only 15. But please, if you are going to flame, don't flame because of the ages. I changed the rating, I warned at the beginning of this chapter, and it does happen to 15 year olds. Believe me.

Anyway, I'm sorry if what I said didn't affect you anyway. Please read and review. I'm sorry it took ages to update but I've been incredibly busy. I'm sorry this chapter wasn't very long but the others will make up for it. Hopefully after this chapter things will get happier for people. This chapter just focussed on MonChan. If you'd rather not review, I understand. Lilian xXx