Joey&Chandler

Pancakes

I looked up for a moment taking my eyes off the pancake batter as I stirred it together. I saw Joey bend forward slightly and place a quick kiss on the lips of the woman who had spent the night with him. Rina, Reba, Rika something like that. Not sure what her name is exactly. I frown at her winning smile shining in Joey's direction and make myself turn my attention back to the task at hand - making pancakes as usual. Just as Joey expects me to. Joey shoots me a quick glance of approval before turning towards the front door and looking back to wave goodbye to his date. "See you later, Rita!"

Rita, so that was her name. Not like it really mattered. Joey would probably break it off with her within the week. Probably before sunset. I smirk a little at that. For all the talent Joey has with the ladies he certainly doesn't seem to have any desire to hold on to one. Joey's idea of a long-term relationship is saving half a sandwich to eat as a snack a few hours later. Women are toys to him and nothing more. But I know Joey. I know what he thinks about and what he feels. I know that these occasional women never get past the "How you doin'" and see him as nothing more than a quick fuck or a pig depending on what they're expecting out of the relationship to begin with. Sure, there have been one or two that have had held Joey's attention for longer than 24 hours but they're few and far between. I think it's the chase more than the catch that Joey enjoys. It's like a game to him.

Of course, I've fallen for the same trap. Only in my case there's no chance of a messy break up because there's no relationship and there never will be. We're friends and nothing more. We can never go beyond that for some very simple reasons. I'm never planning on telling Joey how I feel and there is absolutely no reason for me to even begin to believe that Joey has any similar feelings for me.

I'm still not really sure how it happened or even when. I admit that the line between friendship and love has always been a little blurry to me. I suppose it has something to do with my lack of friends as a child. I'm always looking for something and I suppose I have a tendency to hold onto it rather tightly once I've found it. I guess I'm afraid of losing it. Joey's the best friend I've ever had. Even with Ross, there was always something missing. We didn't share a connection like Joey and I do. With Ross there was no spark. I shake my head at that. Of course, even with Joey the spark is surely a one-sided figment of my imagination. I have to try to push these thoughts out of my head. I don't need them right now and they certainly aren't helping my 'get-over-Joey' efforts.

"So, you're Joey's roommate huh?"

I looked up startled for a minute. I had nearly forgotten about the woman. Time to make small talk and witty banter. "The one and only." I answer as casually as I can trying not to sound bitter. Trying not to think about the contrast between that label and the one I hope for or the self-loathing that usually comes with such thoughts. I try to concentrate on the moment at hand and not the ridiculous fantasy world I dwell on far to often.

She smiles again, perfect teeth behind well-shaped lips. Long golden locks of hair draped over her shoulders. "Well, I've heard a lot about you."

"Really?" I reply with mock curiosity as I pour the pancake batter by the spoonful into a shallow frying pan and wait for them to cook.

"Yeah, I bet you could tell me a thing or two about Joey."

"Oh, you bet I could."

"So do you think he likes me?"

"Well, you know Joe is kind of a loner. Some might even call him an outlaw. Pancake?"

Another weekend, another date, another night, another morning. Sally this time. She seems like a nice girl. She's already fallen for Joey. I can tell. I see it in her eyes. I worry that maybe he has fallen for her too, but he winks at me before he goes off to another audition and I know that she will meet the same fate as the others. Breakfast is just to soften the blow. There is no audition and Joey will be back in an hour.