[Joey x Chandler] COMPILATION OF SHORT STORIES FROM AO3

The One Where Joey Moves Next Door

Chapter Two: The One With The Gathering

Joey was nervous. He didn't feel completely up to going back to Chandler and Monica's apartment. He had to admit that he'd felt a spark in his heart when he had first met Chandler. And he'd been awkward as they'd walked up to their apartments. Chandler had seemed awkward and excited at the same time. And then he had introduced Monica as his fiancée, and suddenly any hope Joey may of had of him and Chandler being together had disappeared. And then Joey had gone out and blurted he'd lived with his parents his whole life. Because apparently he didn't look like a loser enough.

Why did he even excuse himself to take a shower? It wasn't like he needed it! He'd actually moved all his stuff in yesterday, with the help of his cousin.

"Alright, Joey," he told himself, as he looked at himself in the mirror. "So he's engaged. So what if he's cute? You can go over there and act like it doesn't matter. Maybe he's got the worst personality ever, and you won't even like him. Go over there, and put on the show of your life. You're Joey Tribbiani, and you're the best actor ever! If anyone can do this, it's you."

He knew he had to make it look like he had actually taken a shower, so he quickly ran into the kitchen and grabbed a glass from his box on the counter, and filled it with water. He threw it over his head, and did that two more times. Satisfied that he looked like he had just gotten out of the shower, he ran out of the door, and across the hall.

He took two deep breaths, and knocked on apartment twenty. Instead of either Monica or Chandler answering, it was a guy who had dark gelled hair, and looked a bit like Monica.

"Hello?" the guy asked.

"Hey," Joey replied, smiling. "I'm Joey Tribbiani from across the hall." He pointed to the door that lead to his apartment. "Chandler and Monica said I could come over to eat?"

The guy looked over his shoulder, and called, "Mon! There's some strange guy at your door who looks like he just ran through someone's sprinkler system."

Monica appeared and smiled when she saw Joey. "Hey, Joey. Glad you showed up. Come in. The food's almost ready."

Joey didn't have to be told twice. He walked into the the apartment, and smiled wide when he saw Chandler on the couch, looking at him. Chandler's expression then turned from a smile into a look of confusement, which in turned confused Joey.

"Why are your clothes soaking wet?" Chandler asked.

Joey looked down, and groaned. Of course he had to be an idiot and forget to change his clothes after dousing his hair wet. He was now completely soaked, his clothes and everything.

He did some quick thinking. "Well, you see, I accidentally got my clothes wet while I was takin' a shower, and I just threw them back on because my other clothes are all still dirty." Joey put on his best smile, and let out a mental sigh of relief when Chandler started laughing.

"Well, I'll go get a towel for you to sit on so you don't get my furniture wet," Monica said as she disappeared into what Joey assumed was the bathroom.

"So, Joey," the guy who answered the door, started, "how do you know my sister and Chandler?"

"I just moved into the apartment across the hall, and I bumped into Chandler earlier. He invited me in, and Monica invited me over for dinner."

The guy stuck his hand out. "Well it's nice to have another guy around here, Joey. I'm Ross Geller, Monica's awesome older brother."

Joey took Ross's hand, and shook it. Just as the handshake ended, Monica reappeared with a green towel. She handed it to Joey, and smiled.