Chapter One: Introduction

Riley Davis stood in front of her bathroom mirror, her eyes dancing over her face. She gripped the edge of the sink and willed her heart to slow in its rapid beats. She couldn't let her father see her like this. She couldn't let him know that anything was wrong…not yet. Taking a breath, she stood up straight, ruffled her hair and wiped a gentle shade of lipstick over her mouth. She smiled and turned leaving the small bathroom and returning to the main living space. Looking around her small apartment the seventeen-year old's smile wavered for a moment as memories of her mother came rushing back. Slowly she shook her head, grabbed her camera and headed for the door. Climbing the steps, she ran through possible stories to tell her father. He knew that the news should be coming soon and the man was getting restless and more anxious with each passing day. In the end she knew she couldn't lie to him. He was her father. Prolonging it would just make it worse but she feared how the statement would settle within him…. within her. Reaching the apartment that her father shared with her Uncle Mark she knocked once and then slid the door open. She truly smiled as her eyes contacted with her Uncle Collins, happy to see him and his own smile. Looking around the small area she realized her father or other uncle were nowhere to be seen

"your old man and Mark went to help Joanna and Maureen finish up at the Life Café…."

Riley's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. She watched as her Uncle Collins smirked "really Rye Bread…you've forgotten…."

Riley squeezed the small device in her hand…no she hadn't forgotten but today was not a day for celebration

"it's not everyday someone turns eighteen….and you know your dad and especially your uncle…. always have to go big when it comes to a milestone...at least when it involves you"

Riley nodded her head the simple three words of the letter burning a hole in her back pocket, making her heart speed up all over again. She looked at her uncle as the tall and gentle man stood, slipping his jacket back on "come on we can start to head over now…. I think your dad is actually going to play a song tonight so make sure that thing has film you'll want to capture the moment"

Collins looked up and took in his niece for a moment. She looked exactly like her parents, getting the best qualities of both. She had Rogers big green eyes and porcelain skin, Mimi's caramel colored hair and small frame but from the youngest age it was clear to see that she was a mini Roger and took after him a bit more, her eyes gave everything away everything and nothing, she was able to hide her true feelings, telling people what they wanted to hear and had in true Davis fashion acquired his worse traits as well, when it came too dealing with difficult situations; his quietness and the desire to run when things got tough. She was a hybrid of the two and due to that fact had also inherited their sickness. Collins watched as Riley fiddled with her camera before looking back at him. He could tell from the way her smile didn't reach her eyes that something was on her mind.

"Riles…" Collins spoke softly

He watched as she did a very Roger like move and replaced all signs of internal struggle and smiled that classic Davis smirk before laughing "let's not keep them waiting then…. you know how Mark is when things aren't timed perfectly"

Collins however stopped, he knew how to handle the Davis clan and simply stood still watching her, he did this same act countless times with her father and it always worked the same.

Riley stared at Collins, his patience, his gentle and caring brown eyes but she also knew this trick and when she was younger it worked all the time and if it was under different circumstances...but this…this she wasn't ready to say out loud even to the man who would and could somehow make it all better with just a hug.

"come on Uncle Collins…. hopefully they have tacos on the menu"

Collins watched as Riley exited the loft and descended the stairs, he shook his head and followed after her, already knowing what she was running from.

A/N: let me know what you think. I've rediscovered my love for RENT and wanted to give this a shot. hopefully you find this interesting and engaging. looking forward to writing more and exploring where this could possible go.