What If Chandler Bing Didn't Exist...? [F.R.I.E.N.D.S]

Chapter Six: Let The Flashbacks Begin

'I mean, if I died, the only way people would even know that I was here would be by the ass print on this chair!' - Chandler Bing, The One With The Invitations

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I arrived, puffing like crazy. I forgot that my lung capacity was still small from smoking. Monica hated me smoking. She always told me that it was either her or the cigarette pack. Of course I chose her. I raced to the front door of the hotel and just leapt in.

"What happened?! What the hell did you do to me?" I shouted at Barbara. I saw her just smiling down at me. 

"Is something wrong, Chandler?" She gave me a sly grin as she leaned on the bench with her arms crossed together.

"You.. you did this didn't you?!"

“Do what?” She made an innocent face. Yeah, like I could fall for that!

“No one remembers me. Not even my wife, my friends, no one at ALL!” She gave me a look saying ‘really?’ I rolled my eyes. “Apart from you, which I don’t even know why you still remember me, so obviously it must be yo-u-u-u..” my voice trailed off into uncertainty. “R-i-igh-h-h-t…?”

She gave me a chuckle and sighed. “Oh, Chandler…” She shook her head smiling and just went to the door that was just behind her.

“Hey, hey, where are you going?” She smiled, looked at me and closed the door behind her. I quickly ran over to the door and tried to open it. But it was locked. Of course. I groaned as I banged the palm of my hand to the door. Pain struck like pins and needles on my hand as I shook it off. Trying not to make any sounds like it hurt me, I just put my hand between my knees but I just couldn’t help myself but make a screeching sound. I shook it off once again and just blew deeply. Sooner or later, the pain went away and I put my hands in my pockets, thinking, ‘What am I gonna do now??’ Just then, I felt a key, and relief swept through my body. It was the key that Barbara had let me keep. It was totally her! I mean, who else could it have been? She obviously knew that I was going to use the key later, why else could she have let me keep it? I am so gonna catch her!

“Ahah, the MESSERS become the MESSEES!” Now that I heard that out loud, I think it was so much better with Monica in the picture. Now it just feels stupid.. I made a smug face and walked off to the room Number 17, which I distinctly remember was the date of our wedding day. I was still so struck about how that ended up being the number to my door. I mean, that is so stalkish.. either that it was pure coincidence.. which I still highly doubt by the way. I put the key in without hesitation, turned the lock as I heard a click on the other side. I grabbed the doorknob and twisted it as I pushed it open. The familiar scent of the room swept into my nose as I remembered that I had gone to sleep here last night. I took a breath in and out and sighed as I walked to the edge of the bed. I sat down and I felt the creases of the bed and blanket, smooth but partially hard. I put both my hands beside my thighs as I put my weight evenly on both of them. I looked down to the ground, a light greyish-greenish carpet with some fabric out of place. I closed my eyes as I imagined what I have done that affected my friends…

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-FLASHBACK-

It was Rachel’s birthday and Ross was leaving to go to his dig in China. Rachel was opening presents and Monica, Phoebe, Joey and his girlfriend and I were all sitting around the coffee table.

“Who's this from?”

“Oh, that's Ross's,” I replied, on behalf of Ross who had given the present for Rachel to me for me to give on to Rachel.

Rachel opened it and had such a surprised look on her face, but it looked gentle and soft. “Oh... Oh my God. He remembered…”

“Remembered what?” Phoebe looked over.