Chandler might never understand how it happened but come New Year's Eve, he found himself hand in hand with Janice, arriving at Monica's party just in time for the ball drop. What was even harder to fathom was how simple it really was.
He never expected anything much to come from that date those few months back. He remembered the panic after his encounter with Monica, the overwhelming urge to cancel completely just for a night in with his friend. So maybe it was true that everything happens for a reason because had he not sucked it up and forced himself to go out that night, he might never have had a chance with Janice.
She was a lot of things: outgoing, outspoken and at times, outrageous. Actually, Janice was the exact opposite of Chandler and he strangely liked it; it seemed to compliment him. Sure, she talked a lot sometimes and some of his wittier jokes went over her head but she listened and cared and that was all he really focused on.
While his friends were fairly vocal about their true opinions of his girlfriend, Chandler often paid little mind. Maybe it wasn't true love, or anything of real, life-changing substance, but he enjoyed Janice's company. It's not like he was ever going to get married or do any of those normal couple things anyways; his personality and dating streak were going to make sure of that. So while he had her, he was going to have fun with Janice and make the best of it.
Stunning in a dark blue dress, Janice kept a loose grasp on Chandler's hand and followed him into the familiar apartment where all of their friends had already gathered. Joey wasted no time, pouncing on Chandler before he could even get his coat off and embracing him in a bear hug. Laughing weakly thanks to the firm hold Joey had on him, Chandler had to wait until he was free to speak up.
"What's up, Joe?" Greeting his roommate happily, he took Janice's coat in his arm and placed it on top of his own on the back of the couch. With a firm pat on the back, he smiled genuinely, glad to see his friend. Chandler watched idly as Janice found someone in the living room and left him, offering a smile as she departed. "Sorry I wasn't home to come over with you earlier. Janice and I went out to dinner at that new steak house down the street."
"Yeah, well no big deal. Pheebs and I made it work. I'm about-" Joey lifted his red cup and shook it gently. "-four of these bad boys in." The cheesy smile that graced his roommate's face was laughable and Chandler began to realize how little of Joey - and all of his friends for that matter - he'd seen lately. He'd been around plenty, living with Joey and across the hall from Monica made that easy, but he couldn't remember the last time he stayed in and watched Baywatch or wandered across the hall for a nice home cooked meal.
"About time I caught up to you, don't you think?" Chandler challenged with a mischievous smirk. Eyes wandering momentarily before finding the cups and drinks on the kitchen counter behind him, Chandler wasted no time in making a rum and soda. Normally content with beer, New Year's called for celebration and bloated beer belly didn't sound appealing tonight. "By the way, where is everyone?"
He took note of familiar and unfamiliar faces alike as he glanced around the apartment, unable to find Ross making awkward and unfortunate small talk with one of Monica's friends or Phoebe explaining to some unknowing stranger the benefits of cleansing your aura on a bi-weekly basis. Namely, there was no dark haired hostess rushing around frantically to make sure each cup was filled and every need was met.
"Phoebe went to find Monica not too long ago so she wouldn't miss the ball drop," Joey explained. Taking a quick look around the room himself, he offered Chandler a shrug and a look of uncertainty.
Fingers rapping on the outside of his plastic cup, Chandler felt strange about their absence. Maybe it was because he felt like he hadn't really seen them in quite some time or maybe it was just curiosity, but he allowed himself to leave Joey with his drink and the girl who had been making eyes at him for the past few minutes. Watching her swoop in as soon as Chandler was clear of Joey, he laughed as he made his way through the maze of people.
Before he could get far though, the countdown was being announced. Snatched up by Janice almost immediately, a lanky arm looping through his own and offering a soft caress of her hand, Chandler smiled as Janice stole his attention.
"It's almost time to Bing in the new year," Chandler joked, emphasizing the pun. Janice placed a chaste kiss on his cheek and he quickly forgot the task at hand to focus on kissing his girlfriend when the clock hit midnight. The party stirred around them with the impending ball drop and Chandler felt strangely excited.
It had been another long, weird year for him but it was ending on a high note: surrounded by his girlfriend and best friends. Well, almost. Scooping an arm around Janice's waist as she began counting down from 60 with the rest of the party, her voice ringing loud well over the others, Chandler glanced somewhat anxiously around the party, looking for any one from the gang.
He promptly found Joey disregarding the New Year's tradition, kissing the girl that had taken his place earlier. Stifling a laugh, Chandler's blue eyes set sights out for a head of blonde hair or either of the Gellers. It wasn't until the group was counting down the last 15 seconds that Monica and Phoebe came into sight, emerging from Monica's room.
Setting his weight on the balls of his feet, Chandler waved excitedly but it went unnoticed. Falling back to his heels, he fought off a disappointed frown before his lips were engaged in another, much more preferable act. Planting a firm kiss on his mouth, Chandler was startled by Janice initially before he realized what was happening and melted into the kiss.
A small flutter of excitement filled Chandler's insides and he littered a few more soft pecks on Janice before he retreated from the exchange. Smiling gently, he muttered a soft "Happy New Year" to Janice who fell into her signature cackle. It still jostled him sometimes but it wasn't her projected laughter that shocked Chandler.
Looking at all of the celebration around the room, it was easy to pick out Monica. She looked as if she'd been crying. Blue eyes puffy and tinged a shade of pink looked over at Phoebe who wore an uncharacteristic grimace. Again, Chandler tiptoed upwards to try and get a better look at what was happening but was unsuccessful, only catching glimpses of his friends.
"What are you doing?"
For those few moments, Chandler had forgotten that Janice was still linked around his forearm. Back on flat feet, he looked at her, confused.
"What?"
"What are you looking around for?" Janice asked, her features lined with confusion.
"Monica," Chandler muttered, still making an effort to get a good look. "She looks...sad."
"I bet she does," Janice scoffed.
"What?" Chandler repeated. He directed his attention to Janice who looked significantly less chipper now.
"Well she's probably upset with me," his girlfriend said matter-a-factly, her eyes rolling indignantly. "Green may look good on her but jealousy really doesn't."
"Okay, you've lost me." Taking a sharp step back, Chandler squared himself in front of Janice and focused his energy on her. Looking unsurely at those dark brown eyes, he tried to hide the urgency in his gaze.
"Chandler. Honey." Janice scoffed again in disbelief. "Do you really not know?"
He shook his head stiffly.
"Oh. My. God." Flipping long, brunette locks over her shoulder, Janice looked as if she was preparing to drop a bomb on Chandler. He wasn't sure he was totally prepared. "Chandler, she's so obvious. Always giving me looks when I'm hanging out with you and she won't say two words to me, you know. She's clearly jealous that you're dating me and not her."
"Wait. Wha-" Chandler began but he was quickly cut off.
"And I could totally be a crazy girlfriend and tell you not to hang out with her but you're so gaga over me, my little Bing-a-ling," she cooed as she tapped his shoulder playfully. "I know I don't need to worry."
He knew he should respond. Just a simple nod to assure his girlfriend that he was all hers but his heart had different plans. It was in overdrive, pounding heavily in his chest and echoing into his ears. He could feel his face changing from shock to uncertainty and back again.
Janice's words didn't sit well. Not because they were undesired but because they didn't seem real. For months now, Chandler had been certain that he was well over Monica. Things felt as normal as they could. And just like that, like the flip of a switch, he felt the familiar swell of his heart, that sensation that made his chest feel like it was full of helium.
"You look upset, honey." Janice startled him away from his thoughts and Chandler nearly jumped when she placed a loving hand on his chest. "I didn't mean to make things awkward. I know she's your friend or whatever."
"No, no, it's-uh…" He had no words and no idea what to do or think in that moment. Stammering, he fought to sound casual as he replied despite the battle of emotions and confusion going down inside his mind. "It's okay. Just weird to think about."
Swallowing hard, he gave Janice a tightlipped smile and gave her a reassuring hug. His stomach knotted with confusion as he held his embrace on her and pressed his lips to her forehead. Taking the opportunity with her tucked against him, blue eyes wandered across the party in search of Monica once more.