Okay, so some people may think this is corny but whatever. I love RENT and Pretty Little Liars and just recently I saw Rent off-Broadway in New York. And funny enough afterwards I saw a poster in Times Square for Pretty Little Liars. Suddenly, it came to me. What if the stories were combined. This is what that idea has and will become.

P.S. it isn't exactly the same as the play or movie, but it's pretty close. Luv ya!

OOH! Caleb is in this but he is gay, sorry! Please don't laugh!

Welcome to New York City, early 1990's. Christmas eve to be exact.

Just beside Avenue A, a tent city has sprung up and residents are trying to simply stay alive. But how can you stay alive in a time where Strangers, Landlords, Lovers, your own blood cells betray?

"Shit!" Hardy spat, tearing into the fifth story Avenue B apartment. His super 8 camera connected to a leather strap over his shoulder, the aspiring director grimaced at his best friend.

"What?" Ezra asked in an uninterested monotone, tuning his electric guitar. He hadn't been the same since his girlfriend, and the unofficial love of his life, Jackie, had committed suicide by slitting her wrists in their bathroom leaving only a slantilly scribbled note that read,

"I got the test results back, we have Aids."

He barely looked up, the cold metal table he sat on was freezing and the only heat that was being supplied was the heart burn he got from dry swallowing his AZT pill. Yet he didn't look bad for someone coming off a half year of heroin withdrawal.

Hardy slammed a red piece of paper down in front of Ezra. In big, tapered black print it boldly stated, "EVICTION NOTICE."

Ezra placed the guitar next to himself, running his fingers through his shaggy blue\black hair. "Dammit Jason . . ."

Jason, Ezra and Hardy's roommate and friends from way back when, had last year bought the building with his new father in law Mr. Grey in hopes of starting a cyber studio. Only last year he had proclaimed Ezra and Hardy were golden.

"You know what this is?" Ezra hopped off the table, only to be interrupted by the telephone, which the two of them always screened.

"Well, that was a loud beep! Hi, Hardy! It's mom! How are you and Ezra doing in New York? It must be getting chilly? Speaking of which did you get the hotplate? Don't leave it on when you leave the house! Oh, and we're sorry to hear about Hanna. I say C'est La Vie! There are tons of other fishies in the sea!"

Hardy momentarily forgot the EVICTION NOTICE under his middle and ring finger, pressing his right index finger to his temple. He smiled absentmindedly. "There are times when we're dirt poor and freezing and I wonder 'What the hell am I still doing here?'. And then they call . . ."

Ezra grabbed the paper, "Yeah, well we may have to rely on them soon! I mean it is because of your ex that this is happening. Jason is pissed about Hanna's show and . . ."

The phone rang again and loudly the answering machine delivered a current message.

"Merry Christmas, Bitches!" Their friend Wren laughed from the other side of the phone. "I'm back in town, throw down the keys."

Hardy smiled, tossing down the keys then returning in. Ezra cleared his throat again. He looked around the dark apartment. On one wall was his bike, the other filled with concert posters – some of which were for his own moonlight shows – and on another were pictures. Little snap shots of past years. One of Wren, Hardy, and Ezra. He could tell by the look in Wren's eyes it had been taken after he 'came out'. It looked so free.

He looked down to Hardy's camera, "How do you document real life when real life's getting more like fiction each day?"

Hardy laughed lightly, "How do you write a song when the chords sound wrong? And when notes are sour where is the power we once had to ignite the air?"

Ezra scratched the back of his neck, "Touché." He rubbed his eyes and sighed, "How are we going to pay last years rent! This years rent? NEXT year's rent? This is such hoarse-"

There was some ruckus coming from the streets but it ended in seconds. "Where's Wren?"The door was prodded and Hardy strode towards it, "Here, I guess.". Of course he was only faced with Jason. He walked in, an almost sympathetic grimace on his face. "The rent?"

"What the hell man? We're broke." Ezra fumed.

"And you broke your word . . . this is absurd." Hardy sighed.

Jason rolled his eyes, "I'm sorry it had to come to this boys."

Hardy shook his head, "Bull shit. You have a problem with Hanna and her protest against losing her performance space. Why not call the cops or get an injunction."

"My investors-"

"You're father in law." Ezra interrupted.

"-would rather I handle this quietly. Plus he owns the lot and has the right to do with it as he pleases. And he pleases to have rent!"

Ezra breathed in deeply, "Happy birthday, Jesus."

Jason ignored him and looked to Hardy. "And you and Hanna are close. I thought you could reign her in."

Hardy looked down. "We aren't together anymore."

Jason smirked, remembering the fiery female from their college days, "She got a new man?"

"No." Hardy sighed.

"What's his name?" Jason prodded.

Hardy and Ezra both mumbled at the same time, "Emily."

It took a second, but when it clicked Jason threw himself onto a fit of laughter.

"Yeah it's real funny." Hardy growled.

Jason let out a sigh, "Listen, all jokes to one side, there is one way you won't have to pay. On paper guarantee, you can stay here for the rest of the time you want – for free – if you do me one small favor."

Ezra scoffed, "That being?"

"Convince Hanna to cancel her protest."

Hardy shook his head, "I knew it."

Jason tilted his head to the side, "You want to produce films and write songs? You need somewhere to do it! It's what we used to dream about, guys! And the block is being rezoned. It can be a reality. Stop the protest and you'll have it made. You'll see." Jason walked forward to the door then turned slightly before shutting it, "Or you'll pack."

Somewhere on the streets

Wren was doubled over, coughing up ounces of blood. A rapid drumming sound slowed and a soft voice called, "You okay honey?" Wren looked up slightly to see a small figure coming towards him. It looked to be a man of 19-21 with an innocent face and sweet voice coming towards him, and the man was carrying a pickle tub.

Wren nodded, coughing some more. He'd just been mugged outside his friend's apartment and had crawled to an Alley. The man touched Wren's shoulder, "Did they get anything." Wren shrugged.

"I didn't have any money . . . but they took my coat." He still felt the keys in his pocket. There were several gashes on his face. "I'm Wren."

The man smiled, "I'm Caleb. But people call me Angel." Wren smiled back and Caleb helped him up. "I'll take you to the hospital, but I have a life support meeting."

Wren walked slowly next to Caleb, "Life Support."

Caleb nodded, shifting the pickle tub and drum sticks, "For people with aids. Like me."

Wren walked slightly closer to him, "Yeah . . . like me, too."

The two smiled at each other as they kept walking in the opposite direction of the hospital.

Tell me what you thought! As always, the next chapter will be far better but every story needs an intro! Love yah!