45A/N Hello, children! I know, how stupid of me to leave one story unfinished and start another, but I just felt like writing again and it had to be something fresh. I am sorry for 'stealing' some lines from the original episode (I usually hate that) but I hope that you forgive me as it works well to get into the rest of the story. Just note that this will be more than a one-shot, but will probably not exceed two or three chapters. It's mainly light stuff and includes one of my weaknesses – college Mondler! I'd love to hear some feedback, if you can.
Thanksgiving 1988, Chandler's POV
I turn around and almost keel over at the sight of the woman that comes down the stairs. I don't think I've ever seen someone so beautiful. It's hard to believe that this is the same girl I met a year ago today. Everything about her looks so different. It's not just that she has lost a bunch of weight, her entire appearance seems changed. She used to be a girl, now she is a woman.
I'm pretty certain that by now I must be gaping. Her dark locks frame her delicate features, her sparkling blue eyes looking at me curiously.
"Hi, Chandler."
I'm trying my best to act nonchalantly, but no success. I'm only human. My eyes wander over her entire body, making out the way her maroon velvet dress clings to every perfect curve.
By now I have forgotten that I'm surrounded by the entire Geller family. All I can focus on is Monica.
"Oh my God," I stutter, still unable to take my eyes off her.
She looks down at herself before slowly turning in front of us. "W-what's the matter? Is there something on my dress?"
I do a double-take before finally finding my voice again, still stammering like an idiot.
"I- just... you look so different. Terrific!"
Before I can stop myself, I'm babbling away. Much to Ross' dismay.
"That dress. That body-"
"Dude!" he interrupts me and I immediately apologise, though I still drool over his sister, who smiles slightly, apparently pleased.
Before I know it, Ross' mother chimes in and starts talking about Ross' girlfriend Carol, but I barely listen. I don't think I've ever pined for a girl as much as I am pining for Monica right now.
The object of my affection lets me know that she'll see me at dinner and I feel my heart race once more. I've always hated my name, but when it comes out of her mouth it sounds like heaven.
I can't help but watch as she disappears into the kitchen, her father giving me a warning "dude", just like Ross did a minute ago.
I'm pretty sure Ross starts talking about Carol again, but I couldn't care less. My heart is doing somersaults and I'm pretty sure that my Miami Vice pants are becoming a little tight, so I excuse myself and head for the bathroom.
This cannot be happening.
The cold water hits my face and I look at my reflection in the mirror, trying to forget about Ross' baby sister, but the more I distract myself, the less it actually works. I sit down on the cold edge of the bathtub, conjuring up images of the most repulsive things I can think of and I can slowly feel my arousal subside. If Ross knew what was going on in my head right now I would be dead meat.
I'm not sure how long I've been in the bathroom, but just as I'm about to get up, the door opens and Monica is right in front of me again, jumping when she turns around and sees me.
"Oh Jesus, you scared the hell out of me, Chandler," her hand is on her heart as she takes a deep breath and I curiously watch as her dress strains.
We're both silent for a second and I realise I'm still trapped in an uncomfortable position.
"Sorry. I was just..."
My mind goes blank as I can't possibly think of any good excuse as to what I've been doing sitting on the bathtub in the Geller's house.
She just smiles slightly and blushes, fumbling with her dress. I might have been wrong before. She looks like a woman, but I can tell that she still possesses a shy girl's attitude. Suddenly I realise that I don't even know anything about her.
"Anyway... " I finally stand up and give her a small smile, heading for the door, but her voice stops me.
"Chandler... "
"Yeah?" I slowly turn around and notice the nervous look in her eyes as she's contemplating her next move.
"Do you want to come up to my room with me? I remember you not being too fond of all these festivities so I thought maybe we could just watch a movie? I mean, only if you want to, of course." She pauses for a second until she faces me again. "I'm just tired of all the Ross talk, plus Rachel just left because she and her family are off to their annual ski trip, so I was just wondering..."
I grin, my heart rate picking up significantly at the prospect of getting to know her better. I'm not sure what has brought it on, but I have the sudden urge to spend time with her. Perhaps it's because she also battles some demons and what would Thanksgiving be like without bringing up some heart-wrenching memories?
"I'd love to," I nod and I realise that she visibly relaxes. "There's not gonna be pecan pie, though, right?" I make a face of disgust to emphasise my aversion to Thanksgiving food.
She laughs softly and I swear that it's the most glorious sound I've ever heard. And I caused that. I vow to make her laugh as often as I can from now on.
"No. But I can try to sneak out some chocolate mousse?"
"That actually sounds like heaven."
She grins and lets out an adorable snort before walking past me to the door. "Just wait here, I'll be right back."
[-]
I have lost all sense of time. I've been in Monica's room for the past two hours, maybe. Or has it been three already? All I know is that it's already dark outside and that Ross left earlier to spend the rest of the day and the weekend with Carol, but I couldn't care less. If someone had told me one year ago today that I'd end up having the best time with Ross' little sister, I would have laughed right in their face. We talked about everything and yet nothing at all and it feels like I've known this wonderful person my entire life.
I watch as she laughs at another joke of mine, trying hard to keep the remnants of the chocolate mousse inside her mouth, clinging to the spoon.
We're silent for a change, but it's the most comfortable silence I've ever experienced. For once, I don't feel the need to break it with a joke.
We both smile at each other as we finish the remains of the mousse, our spoons fighting over who gets the last of the sticky dessert that is still left in the bowl.
"And you really made this? I mean, it's incredible! I didn't think chocolate could taste this amazing!" I marvel at her talent.
She blushes slightly and shrugs her shoulders at me, concentrating on scraping out the last spoon of chocolate mousse.
"I mean it. You should be a chef," I lick my spoon clean as she stares at me in surprise.
"What?"
"Nothing. It's just... you mentioned that last year already. But I haven't thought about it ever since. Especially not during the past year, you know. I tried to keep away from all of this," she gestures at the empty bowl, "for most of the time. I'm done grief-eating."
I look at her curiously, noticing that I have touched a sensitive subject. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." Actually, I'm not sure what exactly I am apologising for.
We sit in silence for a little while until she puts her spoon into the bowl and takes a deep breath, pushing some of her dark curls behind her ear. Her eyes are still fixed on the bottom of the container until she looks up at me.
"The main reason why I decided to lose all this weight..." Here she pauses and I try my best to not push her too far, sensing that she needs some more time.
"... is because of what you said a year ago today."
I try my best to remember what I could have possibly said to her that might have brought this on, but I seriously cannot remember. Biting my lip, I shake my head slowly. "What do you mean?" I am very aware of all the dumb things I say all day, but I was not prepared for what Monica throws at me next.
"You said that I was fat." Her eyes pierce through me and I feel my heart sink, mentally kicking myself. How on earth does she know about that?! I'm not sure what to say that would make up for my 1987 idiocy. I was sporting a Flock of Seagulls haircut, for crying out loud!
"Monica, I am so sorry. I really am. I didn't mean for you to hear that," I say softly. She has every right to hate me right now, though I'm not sure if she can hate me more than I hate myself right now. I'm the biggest moron ever.
She shrugs it off, but I can tell that she is hurt, her eyes avoiding me still.
"I was an idiot back then. I had no right to ever say that, behind your back or right to your face, it doesn't matter." I take a deep breath, desperately trying to get her to talk to me again. "Please forgive me," I whisper as I carefully take her hand into mine, relieved to find that she's not pulling it back. "It was incredibly stupid of me to judge you just based on your looks. I should have got to know you a year ago already. You're a wonderful person, Monica. I know I've only known you for a few hours, but it already feels like a lifetime."
A tiny smile tugs on the edge of her mouth and I feel a bit better. "I mean, you offered to cook Mac'n'Cheese for me even though you had no idea who I was! That's the nicest thing anyone has ever done to me!"
She turns a darker shade of red again and avoids my eyes once more. Did I say something wrong again?
"Mon... what is it?"
She pulls her hand away slowly and I already miss the perfect feel of it against my own skin.
"I... I kind of did that because I...," she sheepishly pulls on the covers of her bed, still not looking at me, "...I had a crush on you." Within an instant, her entire face is red. If she wasn't so ashamed I'd be damned if this wasn't the most adorable thing I have ever seen.
"Oh..." I feel my pride swell and try my hardest not to gloat. This is not the time and place. The entire situation feels so ironic, though. A year ago she had a crush on me, and now it's me who's falling hard for her. Still, I can't help but keep that small smile on my lips.
"Pretty sure I don't deserve your affection. I'm an idiot, Monica. If you don't believe it after that move then I'm not sure how else to break it to you."
I must have done something right because she's now looking at me again, letting out a tiny laugh. "I think you're wrong. You were an idiot. I think we can agree on that."
Her hand finds mine again and my heart is beating so fast that I swear I'll go into cardiac arrest if I don't break the eye contact soon. "Agreed."
"Besides, I already thought of a revenge plan." I look at her curiously and she grins mischievously. Definitely a devil woman, that one.
"There's some pecan pie left and I made sure I saved you a plate of Thanksgiving dinner. I'd be pretty happy if we shared the leftovers." She quirkily lifts her eyebrow at me and I can feel my mouth open in shock.
"You're crueler than I thought!"
"Oh, you're just about to get to know me, Chandler," she laughs and gets up, playfully messing up my hair with her hand in the process. I turn and watch her leave, the most stupid look of admiration and arousal plastered on my face and I know I'm in trouble.
A/N I could not think of a good title for this one and was listening to some Mr Blunt, oops.
We see eye to eye,
heart to heart.
