I'm not gonna lie I had a hard time writing this chapter and the part 2 (which I'm currently on). I promise all the sad parts will be worth it I just need to get through the filming pieces for my actual plot line to continue!! For this chapter I was listening to "A Little More by Alessia Cara" which describes my entire inspiration for the chapter so feel free to listen as you read. The parts in italics are !!made up!! flashbacks.
As always feel free to let me know your thoughts, if any of you have twitter feel free to follow me too at @dawnszulueta <33 Happy reading (:
"Would Rachel give Ross another chance after seeing that list?" The Entertainment Tonight reporter asked Jennifer and David.
"Would she? I don't know David?" Jennifer turned to the man next to her and giggled.
"One of these interviews you'll have to answer the question." David looked at Jen and then turned back to the reporter. "We can't really say anything but I want Rachel to forgive Ross."
"So do I. But, he needs to work for it." Jennifer replied.
"What does Ross need to do? Grovel?"
"Grovelling works. Explaining why the list was made also helps." David and Jennifer just turned to each other.
"Clearly America's on screen couple hopefully will remain." The reporter continued. "The chemistry between you two is really something."
"It's easy. I mean Jen is beautiful clearly but both inside and out. I think ever since the first season we've always had an instant friendship. Which I guess translates to the chemistry people see on screen." David answered. "Jen?"
"David looks a lot like my high school sweetheart. So channeling that adoration and love that Rachel has for Ross is easy. But like what David mentioned its the friendship we had from the start. I mean all six of us are very fortunate to have this bond so when I look at David and smile or laugh its genuine."
—
"Last time I was at Stage 24 specifically to interview you both it was when Rachel found out about Ross' list. The list comparing Julie and Rachel." The reporter stated. Jennifer and David sat next to each other in front of the cameras. "But a lot has changed since then. Ross and Rachel became a couple and truly have grown as individuals. David what was your first thought when you saw in your scripts that this couple would be a on screen reality?"
"In one word? Happy." Jen couldn't help but smile lightly at that.
"Jennifer how about you?"
"I can't describe in just one word I bet." David looked at her and laughed. "I'm one of the biggest fighters for Ross and Rachel. So when I saw a relationship coming it made me feel happy for my character. She finally is getting the love she had wanted. The love she hoped to achieve."
David couldn't help but stare at Jennifer in that moment as the interviewer asked Jennifer more specific followup questions to her answer. It's like hearing her say that hit something else within him. He knows what Jennifer thinks about their characters but he has never heard her say anything like that.
"David?" The reporter turned to him shaking the man out of his thoughts and that's when Jen noticed he was staring at her.
"Sorry what was the question?"
"Over at ET (Entertainment Tonight) we got the copy of the episode that is airing this week. The episode where Rachel initiates a break between her and Ross. Jen touched a bit on her thoughts if this is the end for Ross and Rachel.. What are your thoughts?"
Jennifer was intrigued to hear what he has to say. Frankly she never thought to ask David his answer. They never spoke about what this break can mean for their characters. Both actors just tended to brush it off. Which in turn caused their tension, along with their silent feelings in between.
"I love Ross and Rachel together, there's no denying that. As for the end? I don't think this will be or I hope not because I mean like what Phoebe said they're each other's lobsters!" His comment made the two ladies laugh. "In seriousness I believe the two characters will fight for each other. There's just so much love there that one fight can't erase. Ross is happily in love with Rachel." With that last sentence David put his hand on Jennifer's knee and lightly squeezed it. They've always had that intuition between them where they can read one another. And even though things haven't been the best between the two it doesn't change that. Jennifer just looked up at him and put her hand on top of his.
"One last question since I bet you two have to get ready for your solo scenes. If you can describe Ross and Rachel's relationship and I mean the entire journey in one word what would it be?"
"Soulmates." David said. "Matt Leblanc put it in a good way a few days ago. He said how regardless of what happens between the two of them they will always be linked. They will always have each other. As friends or as each other's partners."
"My word would be forever." Jennifer softly said. At this point Jennifer was just emotional. Not angry or upset but in mourning. Although she can't tell you what she is mourning. "These two grew up together. Her best friend is Ross' sister. They've seen each other at pretty low points in their lives. Ross and Rachel's journey is a forever thing." Jennifer looked at David when she said this surprised to see that he was already looking at her.
"For us Ross and Rachel fans it will certainly be an episode we will never forget." That's when the cameras turned off and the reporter thanked the two actors for their time. Leaving Jennifer and David once again to themselves.
It was the silence that bothered David the most. Everyone around them was running lines and doing their own scenes but saved the specific Ross and Rachel scenes for later on in the day. Or perhaps to tomorrow they weren't quite sure yet. But, the silence in between him and Jennifer was something he couldn't describe. It was different.
"Did I do something wrong Jen?" David asked.
"What? Why do you think that?"
"You've been acting different lately."
"Have I? It's probably just the thought of a long week that's all."
"You know you can talk to me about it right?"
"Not this time David." She tightly smiled and walked away to her dressing room. Her fellow actor following behind her to make sure he gets to the bottom of things. He was confident and honest when he told Jen that what happens between their two characters will not affect them. He will be sure of it.
—
Courteney, Lisa, Matthew and Matt were filming their scenes together when they saw the two actors leave the set. Making looks at each other Courteney motioned to the director that maybe they should take a break. The other actors caught onto what she was doing and just all nodded in unison. Marta, David and Kevin just looked at them and without saying there looks asked them 'Is everything okay?' to which they all just nodded and Matthew gave them a thumbs up before they also left.
"Do you think they'll finally talk?" Courteney asked the guys.
"I doubt it. I still think that David is clueless to why Jen is even acting like this." Lisa responded. "He still one hundred percent believes that it stems from the Ross and Rachel break up. It probably does but it just amplifies their reality. Jen even said it to us last night. All of this is just a wake up call for her that maybe she just needs to step over the bridge and just get over him."
"But she can't!" Matt basically yelled causing everyone to look at him. "Those two have been walking on egg shells around each other. I hope this is more than just a wakeup call for Jennifer but also for David."
"We can't meddle." Matthew just flatly said. "This is their issue and as much has we know from just looking at them they need to sort this out themselves." Courteney was going to speak. "Court no. If this means the end of their whatever it was then maybe it will be. But, we can't get involved."
"You do know that they like each other right." Lisa said.
"Oh yea. The reason we can't meddle is because David is also still in a relationship with someone. Someone who he loves. As much as we don't want Jenny to be hurt in situations like this someone is also going to be hurt. We can't protect them." Matthew said the honest truth.
The four actors turned friends just want the best for their other two friends. At this point they don't care about the good of the show but more on what is good for them. Which in their perspective is to talk. And their jobs as actors is to keep the episode filming going. Courteney still wanted to go and make sure the two weren't yelling at each other backstage but Matthew was firm on telling her that it would just them more harm than good by having more people interfere. Before they knew it Marta, David and Kevin asked if they can resume their scenes. They all got back in place ready to do more takes of the scenes in Monica's bedroom.
—
"Did you put another coffee in my dressing room Schwimm?" Jennifer knocked on his dressing room door gaining his attention.
"You were yawning so I figured you need a midday coffee pick me up."
"You need to watch your coffee intake." She crossed her arms. "I see you and the boys drinking multiple cups in one day!!"
"Ok ok calm down I'll tone down the caffeine." David couldn't help but laugh at Jennifer's concern. "Did you come here to warn me about my coffee intake?"
"No. Well I came here to thank you for my coffee but to also ask if you want to run lines." She smiled. The two always run their lines together especially once they started getting more and more scenes together. It became their tradition. Just sitting in Jennifer's dressing room and talking but mostly laughing through their scenes together. Basically envisioning the magic of Ross and Rachel.
"I was just about to go to yours." He got up from his chair extending his hand out for Jennifer to take; which she did with a smile on her face. "Did you and the girls already go to lunch?"
"Just finished." He put his arm around her and she put her arm around his waist as they walked to the other dressing room. No one else in the studio looked at them differently. Everyone already knew that the bond these two had was different regardless of if it's romantic or platonic. It was Jennifer and David that's all anyone ever knew.
—
"David can you just please leave me alone." Jennifer said as she kept walking noting that David was still walking behind her.
"We need to talk."
"We really don't." She walked into her dressing room but before she can close her door David stopped it with his hand then went inside. "Seriously?"
"What is up with you? You've been this upset for almost the entire week, and it's only with me. So I must have done something wrong. What is it? What did I do?"
Jennifer closed her eyes tightly knowing that she doesn't want to tell him. She had this planned out in her mind that when she does tell him she would be over her feelings. That they can laugh and just say it was just timing and the pact they made in the beginning of the show. But, he is pushing her. Little by little it's working.
"You said this won't change anything between us right?" Jennifer spoke. "That this episode won't change the dynamic we have or the working relationship that we have built up to this point."
"That's right."
"But, you fail to realize that it will David. That interview we did it really felt like we were just saying goodbye. Those touches that we used to do it felt different somehow. I'm not angry or upset. I'm mourning basically the loss of what we have." And mourning her feelings and reality. "You didn't do anything. Of course you didn't. It's just going to change everything, and we're naive to thing that it won't. I'll miss doing scenes with you without having to act like I hate you. Because I don't hate you I don't think I ever could."
"Jen."
"This whole thing it brought me back to reality as well. To a reality that I refused to kind of acknowledge because of Ross and Rachel. I always reasoned everything to us being an on screen couple. But, I guess since that's now done. I can use that to some closure at least in a fucked up way."
"Closure?" David looked at her with his head somewhat tilted to the side. Jennifer on the other hand just shook her head looking at him. Men are oblivious.
"Yea, closure. In some weird way our characters breaking up can get me to that point. So no David, again you didn't do anything wrong. Of course you can't. It's all just me in my head."
"I still feel like there's something you're not telling me."
"Some things are better left unsaid." At this point she shed a tear that she just wiped away forcefully.
"You really think this is the end?"
"For who? Us or our characters?"
"Was there an us?" David asked and Jennifer went silent.