DISCLAIMER: I don't own most of this stuff. I do not own Rent or the characters of Rent. They belong to the late, great Jonathan Larson. I also do not own the lyrics to Something Left to Give. They belong to The Starting Line. This isn't written for money, durf. It's written for fun. Thanks. Reviews would be wonderful, but don't feel pressured into giving me some. I hope you enjoy it!
Senior year. It was the end our senior year. I can't believe four years went by so fast... I'm on my back, in the grass. It's a summer night and I'm surprised to see that the stars are out, but I don't take it for granted. I take a deep breath and close my eyes.
I've got stars in my great big sky
I shall gaze upon without leaving small ones behind
Because they're harder to find
Some were satellites, others planes
Some were twinkling while others were fading away
But they're all one of a kind
"Roger?" I turn to face Mark, my best friend since freshmen year. Mark, he's been more than my best friend, he's been... "Rog?" I shake my head to clear it. "What's going to happen to... I mean. This is it." I laugh softly to myself. He sounds like I'm dying. "I mean, I'm going to Brown in the fall and you're moving to New York City. What's going to happen to us? Jesus, Roger. What's in New York City, anyway?" My heart sinks. What will happen to us? I'm not exactly sure, but I can't worry about Mark. Not right now. I need to focus on me and my guitar. He doesn't know it, but I'm going to become a rock star. I'm going to write songs and leave a mark on society. He doesn't know it yet.
Oh it's not that interesting
But I'd like to keep it a secret
So I'll have something left to give
It's not that difficult when you've got a luck of this kind
We've got to take advantage, we've got such limited time
Oh I wonder, oh I wonder
How long to take me to die
Oh it's not that interesting
But I'd like to keep it a secret
So I'll have something left to give
"Mark?" He turns to me and smiles weakly, sadly. "I'm going because I want to do something big." His expression doesn't change, but I can tell he's listening intently. "I wanna become... Hey, don't laugh! Alright?" He shakes his head. "I wanna become a rock star. I wanna write songs that people know. You know? Those songs that get stuck in your head that you can't seem to ever get out. I wanna write stuff like that, but not just stupid shit. I wanna leave a piece of me behind in the songs I write." I can feel myself blushing. I've never told anyone this, but it's Mark. I trust him. "Does that make any sense?" He smiles a huge, toothy grin and I feel relieved as he scoots closer to me on the grass and squeezes my hand. I know he understands.
And I'll hear my children and grandchildren sing
Blah la la la da da da
Blah la la la da da da
Blah la la la da da da
Blah la la la da da da
It's not that interesting but I'd like to keep it a secret
So I'll have something left to give
In my remaining years
When I am old and plain lazy
I'll have a little something left to give
To all those who loved me so much
I'd like to return the favor
And have something left to give
We lay together for awhile, under the stars, our hands clasped together, never wanting to let go. Everything in this moment feels so right, but I know it can't last forever. It won't last for much longer. I'm already packed. I still have to tell Mom, and I know she's not going to take it well. I'll try to explain to her, but I know she won't understand like Mark. She doesn't get it, but I'll die here. New York City, that's where it's at. I'm going to thrive there. I'm going to leave everything behind in this shithole and never look back. I turn to Mark. His eyes are closed and I have to question if he's asleep. I smile to myself and turn back to the stars. Well, I won't leave everything behind...
And I'll hear my children and grandchildren sing
Blah la la la da da da
Blah la la la da da da
It's not that difficult when you've got a luck of this kind
Blah la la la da da da
Blah la la la da da da
To all those who loved me so much, I'd like to return the favor
Blah la la la da da da
Blah la la la da da da
I wonder oh I wonder, how long to take me to die
Blah la la la da da da
Blah la la la da da da
It's not that interesting but I'd like to keep it a secret
And have something left to give
