Competition | Monica Geller

Chapter Six

"Oh my God, Pheebs! I'm telling you, the dude was a total creep!"

My eccentric best friend rolls her eyes from Monica and Rachel's couch, she's sprawled out and barely listening to my girlfriend and me. We had been playing an easy round of cards around the coffee table when we got side tracked. That was forty minutes ago, and actually finishing the game is not looking promising.

"Just because he was interested in... unconventional... things does not make him a creep." The scoff that escapes me is nearly inhuman.

"Unconventional does not even begin to cover-" Monica's interrupted by their brother leaving Rachel's bedroom loudly.

"Oh, come on out, honey. I'm telling you, you look good," he pleads with Rachel before turning to us, "Tell her she looks good. Tell her she looks good."

Now, to preface, I have already seen the dress when Rachel and I went to go pick it up. The pink tulle and rhinestones did not paint a pretty picture to begin with. However, nothing prepared me for the bubblegum monstrosity my oldest friend was wearing, I'm just happy I was lounging in the armchair because this totally justifies a dramatic fall.

Based on the looks of pity Rachel was earning from Monica and Ross, my opinion was unanimous. However, our blonde friend still sees the humor in the situation:

"Oh my God!" Phoebe cackles, her boredom from our serious conversation completely erased. Changing her tune at Rachel's unimpressed face, "You look so good!"

I close my eyes and drop my head on the back of the armchair in exasperation. I wouldn't change Phoebe for the world, but this was... an inconvenient moment.

"I cannot believe I have to walk down the aisle in front of 200 people looking like something you drink when you're nauseous."

"At least that shit works." My statement earns me a wack on the calf by my girl.

I'm ignored by Ross. "So don't. I don't see why we have to go to this thing anyway. It's your ex-fiancés wedding." He implores gently at her.

"Because I promised Mindy I would."

Monica scrunches her nose up like she always does when someone is wrong- at least in her mind. "Yeah, well, you promised Barry you would marry him."

Rachel and Ross are clearly not amused if their identical expressions are anything to go by. It's enough to intimidate even my stubborn girlfriend to climb under my propped legs for protection. Sighing fondly, I start to gently braid her short ponytail.

Rachel heads toward the kitchen as she explains, "Look, you guys, I have to go, I'm the maid of honor. And besides, I just need to be in a room again with these people and feel good about myself."

"Sounds like a good plan Rach, but I think Mindy chose those dresses to prevent that," I try to say it gently, but I know it turns out backhanded by Rachel's slumped shoulders. "Sorry," I add hastily with a sympathetic wince.

"Wait, weren't you and Skylar both friends with Mindy? Why isn't Sky in this?" Phoebe asks.

"Mindy and I were never close. Honestly, I could never really stand her." I pitch my voice a few octaves higher and make it nasally as I say, "You try dealing with this voice everyday and see how much you like it."

Monica's porcelain neck bends so shes leaning all the way back into me, making my hands fall to her jaw delicately. "Then why are we going today?" She whispers so only I can hear, although Phoebe is probably listening too.

"Babe, the bridesmaids are wearing that." I nod in Rachel's general direction. "I would never miss that kinda fun. Plus-" I lean in so my eyes are directly over hers- "I get to see you all dolled up."