The One with the Secret Admirer Chapter 3

A/N: So here's the next chapter. It took me days to write, although I must say that the first part is kind of a filler. Hope you still like it though! I promise the next chapter would be more fun :)

It has been three days since that hug at the park. After the hug, they just went their separate ways like nothing happened. The truth is, it was all they could both think about, especially Chandler.

Chandler was at his best friend Joey's home one Saturday afternoon. Joey Tribbiani was a year older than Chandler and wasn't rich like he was, being the thorn among roses who were his seven sisters. His parents had a difficult time providing for their family so he didn't have the chance to go to college. Not that it made a difference though; Joey didn't like school anyway. He wanted to be an actor. He wanted to be the next Al Pacino ever since he saw The Godfather when he was ten. One may think that it was unlikely for them to be friends given that one is not as wealthy as the other, it didn't matter anyway. Chandler isn't hung up on the idea of him being rich anyway. It is his parents who are rich. After almost ten years of friendship, they couldn't think of anyone whom they trust more; they truly care for each other.

FLASHBACK SUMMER 1979

Chandler was playing at Central Park with his bodyguards looking on. He is so tired of people watching him so he decided to give a shot at roaming around on his own. He took his chance when the bodyguards hit on a pretty lady in a yellow summer dress. "Oh, such creeps." He remarked as he took a last look then went on walking away from the park. He had a fun time looking around that he didn't realize that he was already in a different neighborhood. "This place is different." He thought to himself. He was walking for twenty minutes already and he just entered Little Italy. "Well, there you go, I'm lost. It's still better than having those creeps follow me around though." He whispered to himself. "Hey Knicks boy!" He heard someone say, making him nervous. Chandler stopped walking and looked around to see where that voice is coming from. He saw a boy about his age waving. "Nice hat you have. I love the Knicks!" The other boy said while pointing at his 1973 NY Knicks Championship cap. "Uhh, okay thanks, I guess. I gotta go." Chandler held on to his backpack strap then walked fast away from the other boy. "Hey wait! You're new here, aren't you? I haven't seen you before." The other boy asked. "Yes? But sssh don't tell anyone else. What's this place anyway?" Chandler replied. "You're in Little Italy. Haven't you seen all the restaurants with pizza? I love pizza!" The other boy exclaimed.

"Ok, yeah pizza's delicious, I get it. Thanks, I think I'll go on my way now." Chandler was getting anxious. He liked how friendly the other boy was but he got other problems to deal with. "Hey, where are you going?" The boy asked again, he was really curious about the boy. "Oh, I'm going to Central Park." Chandler said. "Then why are you going to Soho? You're lost, let me help you. I'm Joey." Chandler was hesitant but he eventually agreed. He needed to go home; the fun part of sneaking away was already over. "Okay, I'm Chandl-err" Chandler said while stomping his feet alternately. He drank a lot of juice a while ago. "Hey, why are you dancing?" Joey asked with a chuckle. "I really need to peeee." Chandler said slightly embarrassed. "Okay buddy, you're in luck, my home's just right there at that corner. Chandler followed Joey to a gray building and entered a small apartment.

The first thing Chandler noticed was how musty it was. The wallpaper was falling apart and the screws on the door were already getting loose. It was a far view from what he was living with back at the mansion. At his house, everything is clean and everything looks pristine. Their mansion was crafted artistically; they had one of the finest estates in New York. "Okay, there's the bathroom." Joey pointed at a room at the corner. "Hey, where are your parents?" Chandler asked while entering the room. "They're out with my sisters." Joey replied while taking a bite of leftover pizza from last night. "Aren't you a little young to be left home alone?" Chandler asked. "And aren't you a little young to be roaming around a place you don't know alone?" Joey asked back. "Well..." was all Chandler said." Okay now tell me more about yourself, it's okay if you don't say much though, we just got to know each other, but I let you in my house!" Joey said with enthusiasm. Chandler shared about why he got lost and they talked about little things like the Knicks, food and their favorite games. Joey was excited to have another boy to talk to, being with seven sisters and all that stuff. Although, he has a few buddies in his neighborhood. Chandler was also excited to talk all about this boy stuff with Joey. His big brother Charlie is already going into college next year and they have different interests. "Hey, want some of my sandwich?" Chandler asked while he brought out the meatball sub from his backpack. "I love sandwiches, thank you!" Joey said while talking the sub from Chandler. "And it's meatball!" Joey couldn't hide his excitement which amused Chandler. "Hey, could you accompany me back to Central Park?" Chandler needed to go home; it's been an hour already.

They walked back to Central Park and found a very nervous man so relieved to see Chandler. "Mr. Bing, where did you go? We've been looking everywhere for you!" The man in the suit asked. His companion was driving around New York to find Chandler. "That's not important right now. You're not doing a very good job, I see. I wonder if I'll let Mom and Dad know." Chandler gibed. He then turned to Joey before the man was able to answer. "Hey thanks Joey, here you can have my cap." Chandler said with a smile while handing him the item." I can't accept this, it's too much." Joey replied shyly. "Oh come on, you did so much more for me today. I wouldn't be finding my way home if it wasn't for you." "Thank you then, and remember don't just go around like that, you might not end up with good kids like Joey Tribbiani the next time." "Okay, hey why don't you give me your address? Maybe we could hangout some other time!" Chandler said while handing out Joey a piece of paper. "Ok, I'll see you." Joey shook hands with Chandler. Chandler entered the car while waving goodbye at Joey. He gained a friend that day.

Back to Present Day

"So, tell me about this girl, man! Is she hot huh?" Joey asked with a sheepish grin. "Hey! Well, her name's Monica and she's really beautiful. She's simple, sweet and smart. I would not say she's hot in your standards, because I know who your type is." Chandler said. "Well.. Okay so what happened? You seem pretty happy when you called me a while ago." Chandler then got on telling the whole story about the incident at the library and the park.

GELLER HOUSEHOLD

Monica was working on her reports in the study room when someone knocked. "Hey Monica, can I come in?" said Ross. "Sure, go ahead." Monica answered, not taking her eyes off what she was reading. "Yeah, I just wanted to ask your feedback on this essay I've been working on. It's required for my interview at NYU." Ross said, handing her the pad of paper. "Ok, I'll take a look." Monica looked at her brother with a small smile. "What's that on your face?" Ross asked when he saw the black mark on Monica's cheek. Monica stopped what she was doing and put her hand on her face. "Oh my God! Did mom do this to you?" Ross asked in a loud voice. "Ssssh! Dad may hear you." Monica replied. "Why didn't you tell me?" Ross was really upset, he loves his mother but she could really be a very awful person. And Monica, poor Monica; she has been living off her misery all these years and she can't do anything about it. He wanted to protect her but he couldn't. Ross was now crying, he couldn't say anything more. When she saw her brother cry, she couldn't help but bawl her eyes out. Ross then went closer to her and hugged her tight. They just stayed that way for the next five minutes. When they have finally calmed themselves, they started talking. Ross insisted on talking to Judy but Monica said that it will only make matters worse. They know what she is capable of doing, and they fear that they may not have seen the worst of her. When Ross first knew of the true treatment of his mother to Monica, he was shocked. He always saw his a mother as a very caring person and as a good stepmother to Monica. He had never been so wrong.

At the University

"Monica, did you do the report last night?" asked a snooty lady chewing bubble gum. "Yes, I did Phoebe, now all you and Rachel should do is to read through it and try to memorize these highlighted parts right here." Monica answered, pointing at the pink and green highlighted notes on her report. "This is so long, ugh, can't you make it shorter?" Rachel said very annoyed. "Look, that's what I did and it's already summarized to give out all the important details. So you'll have to deal with it." Monica said firmly. "But, really Monica, do you want all of us to have a bad grade? You know we can't memorize that. Like geez, you were supposed to make a report that all of us can deliver." Rachel groused. "Fine, maybe I can do something about it." Monica said with a sigh. Rachel and Phoebe are two of the meanest girls she has met yet she's forced to be with them. Due to her quietness, she barely made friends. It was the reason why she was forced to group together with Rachel and Phoebe. All the good ones are gone.

A little later:

"God, that Monica is so gullible! She's such a nerd but man is she foolish!" Rachel said with a simper. "Oh yeah! And she dresses like it's 1965! That woman has no chance. Hey, I heard something about her yesterday. Maybe we could do something about it, you know mess with her a little." Phoebe told her, the crafty fiend that she is. "You got my attention." Rachel said. "Yeah, okay. So I heard that she's working at the library after classes because she messed up the whole place!" Phoebe told her raising an eyebrow. "So, hah! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Rachel said. "Totally! I'm hitting up Ryan and see what he can do." Phoebe said with a sheepish smile.

Monica had to work at 5 pm in the library that day because she had a make-up class. Chandler was well, always free whenever Monica is free. They'll be working overtime that day too, since they had a day-off due to other course requirements. Monica was working on the neoclassical collection when Chandler arrived. "Oh, there you are. So, we'll be working late tonight, little spooky don't ya think?" Chandler said while playfully tapping on bookcases as he went near Monica. "Whatever. Now stop making jokes so we could go home earlier." Monica said as she continued working. "Yes, ma'am!" Chandler said giddily.

Two hours later
Phoebe and Rachel had their friend Ryan shut the main door of the library from the outside. "Sssh! Quick!" Phoebe told Rachel and Ryan as they headed out of the building. "Oh poor little Monica will be left all alone in the old library. Monica and Chandler are already done with their work for the day. Monica tried to open the door but it was locked. "Chandler, this is not funny!" Monica shouted as she struggled to open the door with full-force. "What's not funny? Hey I have been a good boy. You told me not to make jokes." Chandler said as he was putting his jacket inside his bag. "Open the door! I need to go home. Now is not the time to play your practical jokes!" Monica continued. "Hey, that door is definitely open! Why would I lock it?" Chandler said as he approached the door and tried opening it. "Yeah, it's locked." Chandler said calmly. "Chandler!" Monica hit his shoulder. "Hey! I swear! I did not lock us in! Why would I do that? You're not the only one who wants to go home and cuddle up in the comfort of his bed you know!" He told her innocently. Monica looked at Chandler eye-to-eye at which Chandler responded to. Chandler shrugged and Monica could tell by his looks that he was actually telling the truth. They then went on banging the door shouting for help. "Help us! We're locked! Janitors! Students! Dean! Anyone!" Monica shouted. "Anyone, please help us open the door! "Help!" Chandler added. "Oh man, the janitor must have thought that there was no one left because the front lights are turned off already. Oh God, I need to go home!" Monica said nervously. "Yeah.", was the only thing Chandler said. "Come on Chandler, find us a way out of here!" Monica said in a bossy tone. "Oh, geez fine! God woman, won't you just tone down a bit?!" Chandler responded. "O-okay." Monica tried to keep her calm. She's very worried about a lot of things right now. She might get another beating from her mother because of this. And of course she got a lot of things need to be done. And Chandler, yeah she had a little soft spot for him that day when he hugged her, but still, he got this crazy antics going on! "Now, if you want to get out, you'll have to help me." Chandler told her while crossing his arms together.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Yay cliffhanger! More on Chandler and Monica in the library next chapter! Review please :D Thank you!