Monica and Rachel’s Apartment – Evening
The group is gathered, as usual, talking and laughing. Chandler is in a slightly darker mood than usual, and Monica notices.
"What’s with the long face? You look like a puppy who’s been left in the rain." Monica asked
"I’m just thinking… about Ronnie. She’s been off lately." He said
"Oh? What do you mean? She’s still doing that goth thing, right? You know, the whole "no one understands me" vibe?"Rachel asks
"Yeah, but it’s more than that. She hasn’t been hanging out with us. Or Jake. She’s been avoiding everyone at school, like there’s this wall between her and the rest of the world."he said
(concerned)
"That doesn’t sound like her. She always had an edge, but she was still so… present, you know? Like a bratty shadow who wouldn’t leave." Monica said
"Exactly. She’s been getting more and more withdrawn, and it’s starting to feel like something’s wrong." He said
"You’re being a little dramatic, don’t you think?" Rachel said to him
"Maybe. But something happened at school. There’s a rumor going around about Ronnie and Jake… and now Ronnie’s acting like she doesn’t want to talk to anyone." He said
Suddenly, Ronnie walks in, her head down, looking like she’s in her own world.
"What? Are we talking about me?" She asked them
(forcing a smile)
"Hey, kiddo. We were just talking about how awesome you are. You know, as usual." He said to her
(not buying it, flatly)
"Right. Sure. Awesome. I’ll just be in my room." She told them
She heads toward her room, avoiding eye contact.
"Okay, that’s not normal. She’s acting like... I don't know... like she has a secret." Monica said worried
"She does have a secret. I just don’t know what it is."
---
School – The Next Day
Ronnie is walking through the hallways of her school. Her best friend Jake tries to catch up with her, but she’s avoiding him too.
(catching up to her)
"Ronnie, what’s going on? You’ve been acting weird." He said to her
(avoiding eye contact)
"Nothing. I’m fine." She tried to assure him
(concerned)
"Don’t lie. You’ve barely spoken to me since that whole… thing." He said
Ronnie freezes as she hears a group of students gossiping nearby. They whisper, just loud enough for her to hear.
(whispering)
"Did you hear about Ronnie?" "She totally slept with Jake," and now she’s too ashamed to show her face in school." I bet she’s just trying to hide the embarrassment." Some kids said
(gossiping loudly)
"Oh my God. She’s such a slut. Everyone’s talking about it." "You know, Jake’s the only one who really wanted her, but I guess she finally gave in."
(quietly, under her breath)
"They don’t know what they’re talking about…" she said to herself
But she does nothing to confront the rumor, keeping her head down as Jake stands there, frustrated.
(hurt)
"You’re not even going to say anything?" He asked her
"I don’t need to. Just leave me alone." She told him
She walks away quickly, her shoulders slumped as she heads toward the exit.
---
Monica and Rachel’s Apartment – Evening
The group is gathered again. Chandler is pacing back and forth, clearly distressed about Ronnie’s behavior.
"She’s still avoiding me. I can’t get through to her." He said worried
"This isn’t just about her being moody, Chandler. She’s been acting out for weeks now. You saw how she looked when she walked in earlier. She’s miserable." Monica told him
"I don’t know what to do. I can’t be her dad… but I don’t want her to fall apart either." He said
(noticing Chandler’s tone)
"You care about her more than you let on, huh?" Rachel asked him
"What am I supposed to do? Every time I try to talk to her, she gets all defensive and shuts down. And now there’s this whole thing with the rumor, and she won’t even tell me about it." He told them
"You have to find a way to talk to her. Like, really talk to her." She said to him
"How do you do that without making her feel cornered?" He asked
"I don’t know. But you’re her brother. And she’s still a kid, even if she doesn’t act like it." Monica said to him
---
Ronnie’s Room – That Night
Ronnie is lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her eyes are red-rimmed. She’s clearly been crying, but she’s too stubborn to let anyone see.
Ronnie’s Inner Thoughts:
Why does everything feel wrong? I’m just… I don’t know who I am anymore. I didn’t ask for this. Why can’t everything go back to how it was?
There’s a knock on the door.
(from outside the door)
"Ronnie? Can we talk?" Chandler asks
(Ronnie stays silent for a moment before sighing, wiping her face, and sitting up.)
"I don’t want to talk." She told him
"I get it. But you’re not alone in this. Whatever it is… we’ll get through it together." He assured her hoping she'll open
(Ronnie hesitates but finally opens the door, her face softening just a little.)
"I don’t know what’s happening to me, Chandler. Everything feels so… heavy." She told him
(gently, sitting down next to her)
"You don’t have to carry that weight by yourself. You can tell me anything." He said to her
(Ronnie looks up at him, her face a mix of frustration and vulnerability.)
"It’s not just the rumors. I can’t even… I can’t even be around people anymore. I don’t know who I’m supposed to be anymore. And I feel like everyone’s watching me, judging me." She said
(putting a hand on her shoulder)
"I don’t know what you’re going through, Ronnie. But I’m here for you. Whatever you need. You’re not alone." Her brother said to her
(Ronnie leans into him, not fully crying, but letting herself be comforted.)
---
The Group in Monica and Rachel’s Apartment
The next day, Chandler looks more serious than usual. The group is talking about their plans for the evening, but Chandler’s mind is elsewhere.
"Hey, are you okay?" Monica asked him
"Yeah, I think… Ronnie’s going through something. I don’t know what it is, but I’m worried." He said
"It’s tough being a teenager. You’re supposed to have it all figured out, but no one does." Rachel reminded him
"I just wish I knew how to help her." He said
"She’s lucky to have you. Don’t forget that." Joey told him
(Chandler smiles weakly, glancing at the door to Ronnie’s room.)
"Yeah… I won’t forget."
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
