INT. MONICA AND RACHEL’S APARTMENT – NEW YEAR’S EVE – EVENING]
The apartment is decked out with New Year’s streamers, noise makers, and snacks. Rachel is fluffing her hair in the mirror. Monica is adjusting platters. Ross enters with Marcel the monkey on his shoulder.
"Everyone! Say hello to my new roommate." Ross said as he entered the apartment
"Nope. Absolutely not. I’m not spending New Year’s Eve with a monkey who makes more eye contact than I do." Joey said
(eyeing Marcel)
"Cool. I always wanted to be upstaged by a monkey with better hair." Chandler said
Door opens. Ronnie steps in wearing a black dress, leather boots, and subtle eyeliner. Everyone goes quiet.
(dramatically)
"No. Absolutely not. This is a grown-up party." Chandler said to his sister
"Relax. I’m the only person here under 30 who didn’t spend an hour fixing their eyebrows." Ronnie said to him
"Aww, she looks cute though!" Rachel said
"She’s adorable. Chandler, let her stay." Monica said to him
(stern)
"She can stay. But if anyone over the age of 13 kisses her tonight, I will throw myself off the balcony. With the monkey." He says
---
[INT. MONICA AND RACHEL’S APARTMENT – LATER]
The party is in full swing. Loud music. People dancing. Joey is talking to a girl who thinks he’s in a band. Chandler is near the snacks, stress-eating baby carrots.
Ronnie stands near the window. She checks her phone, sighs.
"Looking for someone specific? Like, say... a boy?" Her brother teased her
"Just enjoying the silence before you ruin it." She said trying to get him away from her
"You're welcome." He said
Knock at the door. Chandler opens it. Jake stands there wearing a wrinkled blazer, red Converse, and holding a mini box of sparklers.
(frowning)
"Why do I feel like I’m about to witness a middle school prom?" He said as he looked at the boy In front of him
"I brought sparklers. And a juice box. In case this is BYOJ." Jake said as he entered
(rushing over)
"You're late." She said to him
"I had to walk. My sister said I looked like a car salesman." He said to her
"She’s not wrong." Chandler said as he closed the door
---
[INT. MONICA AND RACHEL’S APARTMENT – LATER – 11:45 PM]
Everyone’s a little tipsy (except the kids, of course). Marcel runs across the table and steals a cookie. The TV plays the New Year’s countdown coverage.
Ronnie and Jake sit in the corner on the floor with cups of sparkling cider.
"Y'know, it’s weird. Everyone talks about New Year’s like it’s magic. Like something changes at midnight. But it never does."she said to him
"No. But... you can." He said as he looked at her
They sit quietly for a second. It’s that almost-silence right before something important.
"You ever think about next year? Like, will we still be like this?" She asked him
"You mean awesome and misunderstood?" He said as he tried to understand her
"I mean… us. I don’t want to drift. I don’t have that many people I actually want to keep."she told him
(sincerely)
"Then I’m staying. Drift-proof. Swan-boy guarantee." He said to her
"You’re the weirdest person I’ve ever met." She laughed at him
"You’re welcome."he told her
They slowly lean in. The crowd behind them starts the countdown.
CROWD
“10... 9... 8...”
Closer. Jake’s hand brushes hers.
CROWD
“5... 4... 3...”*
They’re an inch apart.
CROWD
“2... 1!”
Just as their lips are about to touch...
Marcel
(leaps from the bookshelf behind them, screeching)
Jake Screams. Ronnie shrieks. They fall backward.
"OH MY GOD. IS THE MONKEY THIRD-WHEELING?" He said loudly
The crowd erupts in laughter. Jake tries to recover his juice box.
(out of breath)
"You’ve gotta be kidding me." Ronnie said disappointed
"I blame the monkey." Jake said
(walking over, smug)
"And I thank the monkey." Her brother said
Jake and Ronnie exchange a look. They both laugh. Jake leans close again, less pressure now.
"Next year?"
"Next year."
---
[INT. MONICA’S BALCONY – LATER THAT NIGHT]
Chandler stands outside, holding a soda, staring at the city lights. Ronnie steps out quietly beside him.
"Y’know, you’re growing up too fast." He said looking at her
"You say that like it’s my choice."she said
(sighs)
"You were supposed to be coloring in books, not talking about "drifting" and having almost-kisses with boys in sketchy blazers." He said to her
"Don’t worry. It was just “almost.” she assured him
(quietly)
"That’s almost too much." He said to her
They stand in silence. Then Chandler puts his arm around her shoulders.
"You know... if he ever hurts you, I know a guy with a shovel." He continues
"You’ve used that line." She said to him
"It’s a classic. Like my hair in the ‘80s." He told her
---
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
