AN: I can't seem to take breaks between Rent fics. A couple of heads-up: This chapter will contain a (hopefully) surprising bit of information about Emily's past. There is also brief talk of sexual stuff this opening chapter, so be warned. On that note, enjoy...
Emily brushed the light coating of snow from her padded blue winter jacket as she stepped out of the street and into the apartment buildings, a sign of the typical late December weather. When she closed the door, she had to pause in surprise. By now, she'd gotten used to the fact that this old building was usually just as cold inside as it was outside. But today, it was surprisingly warm, and there wasn't even a hint of a misty cloud escaping her mouth when she breathed.
"Well," Emily grinned, heading upstairs to visit the Loft. "Thanks for the belated Christmas present, Benny."
On her way up to visit her friends, she made a quick stop at her small apartment to check up on her pet potbellied pig, Wenceslas. He temporarily had to be left alone in the apartment when Emily was at work. Penny was off at Winter Camp, and wouldn't be back until after New Years. Mark and Roger had volunteered to keep an eye on the small black pig for Emily during her shifts, but the photographer still liked making doubly sure he was thriving in the winter months. After seeing that all was right, she proceeded up to the Loft, where she found Mimi, Joanne and Maureen sitting around the couch, deep in conversation.
"Hi, Emily!" They all greeted.
"Hi," Emily waved back.
"Where'd you disappear to?" Joanne asked. "We stopped by your apartment, but you weren't there."
"Drugstore," Emily explained, holding up the small bag in her hand. "I had to pick up more insulin. Oh, Mimi. I picked up yours and Roger's AZT for you while I was down there."
"Thank you, Emily," Mimi replied. "Hey, come and join us. We're playing Revealing.
"I never heard of that game. What do you do?"
"It's simple," Maureen explained. "We as you a question and you answer it as honestly as possible. It's meant to get to know people better."
"What kind of questions?" Emily sat down, interested.
"Well, here's one," Mimi offered. "If you could change one thing about your appearance, what would it be?"
"My hair," Emily stated without thinking.
"Why?" Maureen gaped. "That's your most distinguishing feature!"
"Oh, come on," Emily shook her head. "Look around, Maureen. You, Joanne and Mimi. No matter what you guys do with your hair, it always looks great. Mine always sticks out. A ponytail. That's all I can do with this hair.
"Okay then," Joanne laughed. "Let's move on to the next question.
"OH! I got one!" Maureen cried. "Emily, tell us about your first time."
"First time what?" Emily asked.
"Your first time with a man, of course." Emily's hazel eyes doubled in size.
"Um…. Pass."
"Nuh uh!" Maureen persisted. "There's no passing. Come on, Emmy. We're all interested. Tell us about your first time!"
"No. Please, Maureen. Just give me another question."
"Not until you fess up. When did you first do it? You know, the horizontal horror! The monkey dance! The…" Maureen finally noticed the furious blush appearing on Emily's face. Suddenly, she understood. "Oh. Oh my! Emily! Do you mean you're… you're a virgin?!" Emily cleared her throat nervously and started looking at her fingernails, as if they suddenly held new interest to her. "OH MY! YOU ARE!"
"What are you shouting about, Maureen?" Mark asked as he suddenly entered the Loft.
"Emily!" Maureen cried, pointing at the embarrassed photographer. "She's a pure, green, untouched, 110-percent VIRGIN!"
"Maureen," Emily moaned. "You don't have to act like it's the most unheard of thing ever."
"I'm sorry! It's just I wasn't expecting that. You're twenty-four now, and you've never had a boyfriend!"
"Hold it right there, Maureen," Emily frowned. "I never said I never had a boyfriend."
"But you said…"
"Oh for crying out loud!" Emily threw her head back in exasperation. "Where is it written you have to sleep with a boyfriend? For your information, my parents waited until their wedding night. I think I should be allowed to want the same thing without people acting like I'm abnormal."
"I'm sorry," Maureen apologized honestly.
"Oh, forget about it. Just promise that next time I ask you to drop something, you'll respect my wishes." The Bohemians were quiet for a short time.
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend," Mark finally spoke up.
"Yeah. Well, I did," Emily confessed. "But that was a long time ago. When Penny was two years old."
"What happened to him?" Mark wanted to know. An unreadable expression flashed over Emily's face.
"I'd rather not discuss it, Mark." The filmmaker chose to respect Emily's request and let it drop, changing the subject instead.
"Mimi, I picked up the mail and you got something," Mark announced, handing the dancer an envelope. "Looks like junk mail, if you ask me." Mimi tore open the envelope and read the letter. Suddenly, she let out an exited squeal.
"I won!"
"What do you mean?" Joanne looked over in confusion.
"A few weeks ago," Mimi explained, "I found this abandoned magazine in the subway station. There was a contest entry form inside it. The first prize was an all-expenses paid trip to Lake Austin Spa Resort. AND I WON!"
"A spa resort?" Mark blinked. Instantly, Joanne and Maureen joined into Mimi's excitement.
"Spending the last days of December in Texas. That does sound fun," Joanne pointed out, looking over the brochures that came with the letter.
"I don't really do spas, guys," Emily stated. "It's not my thing."
"Aw, don't you wasn't to get pampered, Emily?" Maureen grinned.
"Precisely my problem with it. I'm not accustomed to that sort of treatment."
"Oh, but you have to come!" Mimi insisted. "Think of all the great shots you can get there. They also have cooking programs. You'd be right at home."
"And leave Wenceslas here? I don't think so."
"Actually, Emily," Joanne said, looking at the brochure, "they have a pet care policy, meaning you can bring him along."
"Well, be sure to have a good time," Mark offered.
"Hey, Mark, it's not a gender exclusive resort, you know," Mimi laughed. You, Collins and Roger will be coming, too."
"Oh, there's an image," Emily suddenly broke out laughing. "Roger getting a facial. I'd pay to see that. Okay, you convinced me. Mark, you have to come now. I don't think any of us would enjoy ourselves if you were left alone in New York. At least, I know I wouldn't." Mark looked over at Emily, who was giving him a pleading glance.
"Oh…. All right. I'll go. Maybe I'll get some good footage to go with your photographs." With Mark's relenting, the planning for the Bohemian Vacation began.
AN: Originally, I intended only the Rent Girls to go to the resort, but I decded it might be more fun with the whole gang. And for those of you who are wondering, I will reveal more about Emily's infamous ex-boyfriend in a later story. Until next time...