Central Perk. The whole gang is there: Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe. Ross is slumped over the couch.
"There's nothing to tell! He's just some guy I work with!" Said Monica
"C'mon, you're going out with the guy! There's gotta be something wrong with him!" Joey told her
(sips coffee)
"All right, Joey, be nice. The only thing wrong with him is that apparently, he doesn't own a mirror." Chandler said
(glares at Chandler)
"You're one to talk."
"Touché."
Ronnie walked into Central Perk with a scowl already forming on her face, her boots making heavy thuds against the hardwood floor. She barely glanced up at the familiar group sitting on the couch before her brother Chandler sighed and muttered, “And here comes the chaos.”
She dropped her backpack by the door and crossed her arms, shrugging as if to say it wasn’t her problem. “Mom told me to crash here for a while. Like it’s some kind of vacation,” she said, her voice edged with sarcasm.
Chandler ran a hand through his hair, half amused, half resigned. “You don’t even want to know what you did this time.”
Ronnie smirked, the slightest flash of mischief crossing her face. “Told Mrs. Graham should consider a career change. Something that doesn’t involve babysitting dumb kids.”
Laughter bubbled from Phoebe, who seemed genuinely entertained. “I like her.”
From the back, Jake stepped forward quietly, clutching his worn messenger bag. He was calm to Ronnie’s storm — steady, thoughtful, and unshakable. “Sorry I’m late. Science class was a nightmare,” he said.
Ronnie gave him a playful nudge. “I told you to fake sickness.”
Jake shrugged, an easy smile tugging at his lips. “Not really my style.”
The group exchanged amused glances, and Chandler shook his head. “Alright, you two. Try not to burn the place down.”
Ronnie plopped down on the floor, pulling out a sketchbook. “No promises.”
---
The afternoon sun spilled through the windows of Monica’s apartment as Rachel burst through the door, still wearing her wedding dress. Her breath came in short, panicked gasps, and her eyes scanned the room desperately.
Monica froze, mouth open. “Rachel?”
Rachel sank onto the couch, her hands gripping the fabric of her skirt. “I ran. I couldn’t do it,” she whispered, voice cracking. “I was at the altar, Monica. At the altar. And then I just... left.”
Ronnie glanced up from her sketchbook, arching a brow. “Seriously? She ditched her own wedding? That’s bold.”
Jake shifted uncomfortably, but didn’t look away. “Guess some people know how to make an exit.”
Joey leaned forward, eyes wide. “Whoa. That’s some drama.”
Chandler gave Ronnie a pointed look. “Welcome to my life.”
Phoebe smiled softly, reaching over to squeeze Rachel’s hand. “Sometimes running is the only way to really start living.”
Rachel’s eyes met Ross’s across the room, and a complicated silence stretched between them.
Ronnie watched it all with quiet interest, turning back to her sketchbook. “Well, this day just got way more interesting.”
---
Monica hurried to the kitchen, yanking open a cupboard. “Do you want something to drink? Tea? Water? A shot of whiskey?”
Rachel laughed, but it was a broken, uneven sound. “Do you have anything that erases humiliation?”
YOU ARE READING
After The Silence
Fanfiction(season 1-10) --- Ronnie Bing was never supposed to be noticed. But after a breakdown, an overdose, and a silent goodbye, she's learning what it means to stay alive. This is her story - the quiet kind of survival. Mature contact s6-7-8-9-10
