[INT. MONICA AND RACHEL’S APARTMENT – EARLY EVENING]
The apartment is unusually quiet. The gang is at the funeral. RONNIE sits curled up on the couch in a huge hoodie (clearly Chandler’s). She has a sketchbook on her lap. A knock at the door. She opens it — Jake stands there with a small box of cookies and his backpack.
(raising an eyebrow)
"You brought cookies? What is this, an apology or a bribe?" Ronnie asked him
(smiling nervously)
"Neither. You said you were stuck here all day. I thought snacks might help the boredom." He replied
(steps aside to let him in)
"That’s dangerously close to thoughtful. You're feeling okay?" She said to him
He smirks. They sit side by side. Silence for a beat as she picks at a cookie.
"So… your brother’s really at a funeral?" He asks her with concern on his face
"Yeah. Our Nana. She was… well, kind of creepy. But in a loving way?"
(smirking)
"She once mailed me a Bible and a bottle of red wine. I was nine." She said
"Seriously?"he asks
"Dead serious. Pun very much intended." She Said
They laugh. A comfortable silence follows. She doodles something in her sketchbook, then tilts it so he can see. It’s a cartoon of Jake holding the cookie box, with a ridiculous smile and sparkles.
(amused)
"Do I really look like that?" He asked her
"You looked like you were gonna faint when I opened the door. Artistic interpretation." She said to him
(sincerely)
"I like it." He said
Beat. She suddenly grows quiet, then speaks softer.
"I hate being alone in the apartment. It's so quiet when Chandler’s not here. It’s like… I notice all the stuff I don’t want to think about." Ronnie said to him
(sitting back)
"Like what?" He asked as he listened
"Just… everything. My mom barely calls. My dad sends those weird postcards. Chandler’s awesome but... he’s not really meant to raise a 12-year-old, y’know?" She said
Jake gently nods. Then carefully reaches into his backpack, pulls out something and hands it to her. It’s a small origami swan made from notebook paper.
"You’re not alone. Even if it feels like it sometimes." He said to her
She stares at it, then at him. She suddenly looks down, nervous.
"You always say the perfect thing. It’s so annoying." She said to him
(grinning)
"Sorry?" He said in confusion
"Don’t be. Just... I dunno. Don’t stop."she said as she looked at him
There’s a beat of silence. They look at each other. It’s almost a kiss — not quite — but the moment hangs there. Sweet. Soft. Real.
"Should I go now? Or…" he asks her
"Stay. Just... don’t be weird about it." She said to him
"Never."
They lean back, quietly eating cookies. The TV plays some old black-and-white movies in the background.
---
[INT. MONICA AND RACHEL’S APARTMENT – NIGHT]
Ronnie and Jake are sitting on the couch under a blanket. They’ve clearly just been talking and watching TV for hours. A bowl of popcorn is half-spilled on the floor. Ronnie is resting her head near Jake’s shoulder, pretending not to care.
Suddenly, the door swings open — it’s Chandler
(stepping in dramatically)
"I’m home! The funeral was weird. Ross may have inherited a haunted sweater. Has anyone died while I was gone?" He said
Ronnie and Jake quickly sit up straight. Jake nearly launches himself off the couch. Chandler notices immediately.
(pauses, squints)
"Well well well... what do we have here? Blanket sharing? Popcorn? Emotion?" Chandler teased them
(shooting him a look)
"Relax, Hallmark. We were watching a movie." Ronnie said to him
(sits, grinning)
"Ohhh, a movie. And let me guess, you were talking about your feelings while accidentally brushing hands over the popcorn?"Chandler asked
(stammering)
"I—I was just—" Jake said
(tossing him a cushion)
"Jake, buddy, if you’re gonna fall for my sister, you’ll need a lot more confidence. And possibly armor." Chandler said to him
Ronnie groans and throws a pillow at him.
"Chandler!" She screams at him
(defensively)
"I’m just saying, it’s cute. Terrifying. But cute." He said to her
(grumbling)
"We weren’t even kissing or anything..." She said
"Thanks for that unnecessary clarification that will haunt me forever." He said
He stands up.
"Alright, Romeo, time to hit the road. Sister’s bedtime. I have no idea when that is, but I’m just guessing it involves me yelling a lot." Chandler said to Jake
(grabbing his bag)
"Right. Thanks for the popcorn. And the sarcasm."he said
"Oh, that was the appetizer. Wait till brunch." Chandler said being himself
Jake turns to Ronnie, gives her a small wave.
"See you tomorrow?" Jake said as he looked at her
"Definitely." She looked back at him
Jake leaves. Chandler turns to Ronnie, raising an eyebrow.
"So... feelings, huh?" Her brother asks her
(shrugs, smiling softly)
" Maybe." She said
(sighs)
"Cool. Let me know when I should start polishing the baseball bat." He told her
Ronnie rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling as she heads to her room.
---
[INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL – LOCKER HALLWAY – AFTERNOON]
RONNIE is standing at her locker, pulling out books. She opens the door and sees something taped inside: a small folded paper swan. Again. Her eyes light up. She opens it.
Note reads:
"Hope today wasn’t completely awful. - J"
She smiles. Just then, JAKE appears next to her.
(pretending to be casual)
"Hey. Have you gotten any weird locker birds lately?" He asks
(pretending to be unimpressed)
"Weird? Hmm. I thought it was kinda cool." She said back at him
"Cool? Whoa. That’s basically a marriage proposal coming from you." He said as he looked at her with wide eyes
(sarcastic)
"Relax. I’m still emotionally unavailable." She said to him
They walk down the hallway together.
"So... if you’re free Friday, my cousin’s having this dumb skating party. It’ll probably be lame, but there will be hot chocolate."he said
"Are you inviting me to something that might involve holding hands?" She asked him
"I mean, only if we fall. On purpose. Repeatedly."he said to her as they locked eyes
(smirking)
" You’re lucky I like hot chocolate." She said
They continue walking side by side, just a little closer than before.
---
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
