[Central Perk Coffee Shop – Danial's POV]
I just arrived at the coffee shop after an exhausting twenty-seven hours in the hospital, where the chief kicked me out, saying I was going to burn myself out…
What does he know? I excel in the O.R. I feel alive doing surgery, and yet he says I'll burn myself out… Ugh! Being the youngest in everything sucks—people are intimidated by everything you do…
And now I have to hear Ross tell some fiction story as if it's history... What did I do to deserve this? Still, don't mind me—I'm just complaining…
"…and that was 4,000 years ago," Ross said.
"So, pretty much around the same time you started this story," Rachel said sarcastically.
"Can someone please tell a story that people like listening to?" I said, making Ross glare at me. Before he could retort though, Joey walked in.
"Hey, you guys!" Joey greeted everyone.
"Hey, Joey! How are you?" the group chorused.
" Ugh, I had to get out of the apartment. Janine's stretching all over the place. Wherever I look, she's like—" Joey said and demonstrated awkwardly.
"I can see why that's hard to resist," Chandler quipped.
"You know you can just ask her out, right? That way, you get a clear answer and move on. Besides NY's full of foreign dancer girls," I said, a little annoyed by his endless whining about his roommate of his since Thanksgiving.
I mean I know I spend a lot of time in the hospital but whenever I am home or here in the coffee house with the gang she's almost always brought up in conversations.
"He already did, and she made it clear she doesn't feel the same way," Monica told me before turning to Joey.
"Sure she did when she first moved in. Now that she knows him better, he can ask again and get her final answer," I said.
"Oh, oh! I like the sound of that!" Joey said.
"Don't listen to him," Monica warned Joey before glaring at me. "And what do you think you're doing, giving him ideas and false hope?"
"No, no—I think he's onto something here," Rachel said, backing me up.
' somebody got a crush on me, somebody thinks I am hot…' I sang in my head
"I don't know… I think it's a bad idea!" Ross said.
"If Ross is saying that, then it means it's a good idea. I say go for it," Chandler said, earning a look from Ross….
"Sorry, sweetie, I can't help you with this," Monica said .
" hmm, It's okay, thanks anyway, Mon. It's just… she's so sweet…. I like her so much—I just want to feed her grapes and brush her hair," Joey said dramatically.
"You're aware she's not a monkey, right?" Chandler said, unable to resist.
"I'm so over Janine. I mean, yeah, at first I thought she was hot, but now she's old news," Ross interjected, trying to get himself into the conversation.
*Scoff.* I scoffed at him, making him shoot me a look,but, before he could speak, Janine entered the coffee shop.
"Hey, everyone!" Janine said.
"Janine!!" Ross squeaked, making me and Rachel burst into laughter.
' he really just makes it easy to bully him' I thought
I tuned out their conversation this time, because I had better things to think about like; the company's shop... It's Christmas, that means I can access the company's shop tonight.
Still, It really is a bother to only be able to access the shop 3-4 times a year.
And I don't know what to buy—-Should I buy that diagnostic talent I saw last time? Or the Diabetes research knowledge? I'm not sure, I can't really know for sure until I see how much KP I have this time, Maybe there'll be a limited offer like last year… I hope there are some awesome offers….
I also need to call Jessica about my new *Harry Potter* book. I gave her the draft two weeks ago and I need to know when it will hit the shelves…
"Yawn"
I really should go home and sleep….No point staying up…
"Hahahah!" Rachel's laughter snapped me back to reality…
even though I tuned them out I still know what they talked about, I love my new brain…
"What're you laughing at?" Chandler asked.
"Well, I used to date him, but you're still going out with her," Rachel said, giggling.
I chuckled, Rachel, oh, Rachel.
From my past life, I knew she'd end up together with Ross, but in this life, I knew Rachel personally and let me tell you; she was one hell of a spoiled princess, she'd never have glanced at Ross before, To her, he was just Monica's geeky big brother— so I don't know how he succeeded in going out with her.
"Bye, Janine!" Ross said.
"Totally over her," I teased, earning Ross's weird hand gesture (his and Monica's version of flipping the bird) Making me smile in victory.
"Did she just ask me out on a date?" Joey asked.
"I don't think so," Chandler said.
"What're you talking about? She just invited him to the best party of the millennium!" Monica said, clearly happy she's been invited.
"Yeah, but she also invited you and Ross," Rachel interjected.
"Honey, I'm sorry, but that wasn't romantic," Rachel told Joey.
"Oh, yeah, it wasn't a romantic invitation. But if you play your cards right, you might succeed," I said, giving Joey a suggestive look.
"Yeah, maybe… Hmm, I know what to do! We're going to a New Year's Eve party, right? At midnight, I'll kiss her. If she kisses back, great! If she says, 'Dude, what the hell are you doing?' I'll say it wasn't me—it was New Year's!" Joey explained his plan, which I thought was as good plan as any…
"That's better than Ross trying to kiss me in high school and blaming it on needing ChapStick," Rachel said, making me laugh.
"It was a dry day!" Ross protested.
"Yeah, right," I said.
"Dan, we talked about this—no need to turn everything into your weird jealousy/ego competition," Monica scolded.
"Okay, fine," I grumbled.
'Maybe, I was over doing it? Nah….'
"Anyway, we're going to Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve party!" Monica said excitedly, which made Ross squeak too, prompting laughter from the gang.
I left them at Central Perk after that, leaving the group and headed home to sleep.
---
[Monica's Apartment – Later]
I was woken by Phoebe and Rachel rummaging through my closet in my room for Monica's presents. I didn't tell them those were Chandler's just for fun and giggles.
Still, I was already woken up so I will head out and see what's happening
"Chandler, what are these weird metal 'A' 'Z' things?" Rachel asked.
"These are bookends. It's a great gift!"
"Oh, I'm sorry. And thank you for my 'AZ'!" Phoebe mocked.
*Pffffff.* I stifled a laugh.
"Just make sure you put these back in the closet," Chandler said resignedly.
*Ring. Ring.*
The phone rang, and Chandler answered. "Yes, he's here. Who should I say is calling?… Okay."
"Danial, it's for you. She said her name is Jessica, and you'll know what it's about," Chandler said.
The name jolted me awake. I grabbed the phone. "Hey, Jessica. Merry Christmas. How are you?"
"Danial, what's the use of a mobile phone if you're not going to use it?,"
"To use as a hidden weapon?" I joked.
"Ugh, I am billing you for stress if you don't answer next time.
Anyway, Your new *Harry potter* book hits the shelves on New Year's Eve. Congratulations by the way. Same deal as last time, with $300k more in advance.
Warner Bros. finally cracked and signed an NDA and we can finally move to negotiations. Your fund manager will be liquidating your stocks after New Year's.
Phase 2 starts then."
"So you called me to tell me everything's going smoothly? And Don't forget—the first 50 printed copies are mine."
"Yes, yes. But Pixar's still stalling.
As for the books, they'll be sent to me, and I'll deliver them when I visit your new place later."
"I'll be a gracious host then.
As for Pixar—they'll cave in time, My terms aren't unreasonable."
*Sigh.* "That'll be all the, Good Bye Dan, and merry Christmas. "
"Good bye"
*Ahh, I really lucked out finding Jessica Pearson early in this life.* I thought blissfully, heading back to my room to continue my sleep.
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