The Date (Saturday Night)

Rachel was both scared and excited. Her rollercoaster of feelings and emotions were occupying every bit of her thoughts. On one hand, she was thinking of Ross… of how he'll look, of how he'll behave, and of how things will turn out between them by the end of the night. On the other was James who had just picked her up, looking gorgeous in his navy blue button down. She knew from the beginning that going out with him had a purpose.

"Thank you," she told him as he closed the door for her.

She watched him walk from her side to his, damn was he adorable. Though once more, guilt crept through her mind. Was she just fooling him by making him date her to get equal with her ex-boyfriend? It was selfish, but she could like him eventually… right? Her thoughts were cut short by the sound of James' door.

"Are you ready?" he asked, starting the engine.

"Yeah I am," she smiled, taking a deep breath.


Ross was late for his date. For some reason, he found too much comfort in walking around the park that he lost track of time. It was only when Chandler called to ask if he was going to be out all night that he realized he had to go home.

Seeing him dressed in black slacks, white button down and a black jacket, Sarah was mesmerized by his appeal. Not that he didn't look that compelling during their past dates, that night just seemed different. The aroma of his perfume filled her thoughts that she completely forgot how slightly annoyed she was because of his delay.

"Hi," he greeted with his puppy eyes, handing her a single red rose, "I'm sorry I'm late. I had to do some errands."

"It's okay," she grinned at him, giving him a soft kiss.

Ross touched his lips and smiled, taking her hand and leading her to the car.


Rachel and James found themselves waiting for Ross and Sarah. She didn't think they would be ahead by a few minutes, since Ross was always punctual.

"Hi," James stood up as soon as he saw them approaching.

Ross shook his hand and smiled at Rachel, "Rach, you remember Sarah."

"Of course I do. Hey!" she greeted her.

Sarah smiled, relieved at how she reacted, and hugged her in return, "Hi Rachel! It's been quite a while since I last saw you!"

"I know! It's been forever!"

Ross couldn't remove his eyes from his ex-girlfriend. She looked breathtaking… it was simply frustrating because she wasn't with him. The shimmering diamonds of her earrings was what first caught his attention; he knew they were from him…


Weeks have passed… Ross still refused to leave his room except for classes and football practices. Breaking up with the only person he loved more than his own self seemed like the end of the world. He felt like the stupidest person on the face of the planet to let her go just like that…. and so many 'what if's' crept into his mind. To make matters worse, his sister was mad at him for cheating on her. And for everything that had happened, he couldn't blame anyone else but himself.

'Geller, get up and answer the phone!' Joey screamed in the answering machine. 'Dude, you gotta get out of your room. The sun has to shine on you!' Getting no response from his friend, Joey decided to wrap up the message, 'I know you're still sulking on your bed, but man, you gotta get on with your life. Chandler and I are going to a strip joint later for, um…. You! Maybe you'd like to join us?'

Ross stared at the phone, wondering if he should accept Joey's offer.

The phone rang again… yet he snubbed to answer it once more.

'Ross,' Monica's soft voice came into the answering machine, 'I know you're there. Listen, I'm sorry for reacting the way I did. It's just difficult being your sister and Rachel's bestfriend… anyway, I hope you can forgive me. I know you're going through a tough time… so is Rach and-'

He finally picked up the phone.

"Mon."

"Ross!" Monica replied to her brother's distressed greeting. "Listen I'm sorry for being mad at you," Monica apologized, "It's stupid to blame you for it because I know it wasn't something you wanted to happen…"

"It wasn't Mon."

"But I'm a girl… and Rachel's my best friend… and you're my brother."

"It's okay," he told her. "How is she?"

"Not good, I guess." Monica truthfully replied.

Ross bit his lip, trying his best not to cry.

"Ross?" she asked, sensing his silence.

"Yeah?"

"How have you been?"

"A bit better knowing that you're not mad at me anymore…" he replied.

"Do you want me to come over?"

"No it's cool," he responded.

"Don't kill yourself okay?" she attempted to make him laugh, hoping to knock some sense into his mind.

Ross chuckled, "Even if I want to, I'm too scared. Besides, I feel like I'm already dead anyway."

"Ross!" she whined.

"Don't worry Mon, I won't."

"Oh Ross? I almost forgot…" she slowly spoke, "Rachel asked me if I could get the earrings she left there. It's a pair of diamond studs coated with-"

"White gold," he finished, "I know how they look. I gave them to her." Ross' voice once again went low.

"I'm sorry," Monica said.

"It's alright," he looked at the shimmering pair of jewelry on his night table, "just get it from Chandler tomorrow."

After putting down the phone, Ross laid back on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. Rachel loved the pair of earrings he gave. It was his gift during their first anniversary months ago.


The waiter approached them as they settled on their seats. Rachel and Sarah began to chat about the cheerleading squad, while Ross and James decided on what wine to order.

Everything was going well until, well, Sarah held Ross' hand.

Rachel wasn't prepared that and she couldn't stop thinking about it. It bothered her. As much as she wanted to hold James' just to compete with them, she couldn't. They just started dating… instead she excused herself and went to the bathroom.

Inside the bathroom, she called Monica and explained to her what happened. Monica, on the other end of the line was calming her down.

"Mon I don't think I can last another hour. I didn't know they were a couple already…"

"Rachel, remember you said you wanted to see Ross happy. You wanted to be jerked just so you can move on?" she said, reminding Rachel of her own words.

"Yeah but-"

"Then do this for him and for yourself, Rach. Be fair."

"Okay… it's just-" she found herself fanning her tears that were threatening to fall.

"Rachel you're not wearing a waterproof mascara," Monica reminded her, hearing her cracking voice.

Rachel started dabbing her tears, "Okay, okay. I can do this!"

"Are you sure?"

"I hope…" she sighed, "Thanks Mon!"

She took one last look at the mirror and smiled to herself, "Be strong… your date's hot and so are you!" She deeply sighed, "And so is Ross!"


Rachel went back to the table and found herself alone with the couple in front of her. "Where's James?"

"He went to take a call," Sarah replied, "So Rach, when will your next competition be?"

Rachel tried her best to ignore their fingers entwined with one another, 'be strong' she thought to herself. She cleared her throat, "Next month."

"Oh, are you choreographing the dance again?"

"No, I took a leave of absence from our next competition."

"Why?" Ross asked.

"I told myself the last time that I would cause it too much of my time…" Sensing the apprehension among them, she added, "and it isn't a state championship anyway. I just check on them once in a while."

"Aw, who's choreographing now?" Sarah wondered.

"Anna."

"Anna? That girl can dance?"

Rachel chuckled at her tone, trying to sidestep her arrogance, "Yeah she can. Are you ever going back to the squad?"

"I don't know if I should, I'm still pondering on that. It's really time-consuming!"

Rachel agreed on that, glancing at Ross who was looking at her.

"Hi," James returned.

"Where'd you go?" she sweetly asked him.

"I went to take a call."

"Anything important?"

"Not really, just something for debate. So, did I miss anything?"

"Nothing really. We were just talking about cheering!"

"Congratulations on that by the way," James told her.

"What do you mean?" she asked him, ignoring that Ross and Sarah were watching them talk.

"I was in your competition last June. You were great!"

Rachel felt the tension rise… "Thanks!"

"I know! Wasn't it? I swear Rach, you must've worked on that dance with your sweat and blood!" Sarah butted in.

'More like sweat and tears,' Rachel thought.

Ross was sliding off his seat. He wanted to change the topic badly but had no courage to.

"Anyway," Rachel uttered, changing the subject as she saw Ross who was across her, "I heard the soufflé is good here."


It was awkward but they got through the night. Ross was quiet most of the time, glancing every so often at Rachel, seeing how she was doing… Rachel herself was surprised at how she behaved.

Ross liked James for her, but he knew they weren't seriously dating yet… that was shown by her occasional touches on his arm.

Sarah, on the other hand, held his hand the whole time. Even though he didn't want to since he felt uncomfortable that Rachel was there, he couldn't do anything about it.

When the dinner ended, they split ways. Ross shook James' hand and gave Rachel a hug, smelling his favorite Escada perfume by chance. Rachel hugged him back and hugged Sarah as well, mentioning that "they should do it again."

Rachel watched as Ross and Sarah walked away, trying to smile proud that she was able to survive the evening. Deep inside, it was painful, but she definitely needed the jerking she got.


James arrived with his car and opened the door for her, leading her in.

She kept quiet the entire ride home. James, on the wheel, kept quiet as well… but before she could get down, he spoke to her. "Rach, you handled his night pretty well."

Rachel looked at him and smiled, "What?"

"I knew from the time you mentioned that you had a double date why you agreed to date me."

"Huh? Why?"

"I've liked you since Chip introduced you to me, you know. I asked Monica a lot about you but you were still dating Ross, and she used to tell me how adorable you guys were. I guess from what I've known concerning you, I can say that you agreed just for the date."

"Oh James, I'm sorry-"

"Hey, hey, it's fine! I'm pleased enough that you chose me. You're a wonderful person Rach, and if it's not him, then it's someone better."

She smiled at him, giving him a peck on the lips, "You're too sweet." James gazed at her and gave her a kiss. Rachel wanted to back away but her mind kept her from doing so… she responded to him instead.

"If you need anyone to talk to, or another date even, just give me a call. I had fun tonight!" he said, escorting her to the door of her building.

"Thanks, James!" she said, "I had fun too!"

James gave her one last peck and left.

Rachel touched her lips and sat on the steps of her dormitory building, asking herself, 'Are you ready to move on?'

Her phone rang.

"Hi Mon," she greeted after looking at the mobile's screen. "I made it through the night," she smiled at Monica's concern, "and James was really, really nice and I don't think I need to confess anything to him anymore."

"How were Ross and Sarah?" Monica asked on the other line.

"They were great," she replied, "they seemed happy."

"Are you happy for him?"

"I think so," she replied with all honesty.

"Okay sweetie, I just wanted to check on you. Goodnight!"

"Thanks. See you tomorrow!" She ended the call and stood finding her keys but a familiar figure showed up from a far.

"Hi," he greeted as he caught up with her.

"Ross, what are you doing here?" startled, she looked at her watch, realizing the time.

"Can we talk?"



Damn clock... hehehe!

Two more chapters to go! I hope you enjoyed this one... I'll be uploading 'Sunday' soon:) And again, thanks for all your reviews!