In a perfect world
In another time
In a far-off place
We wouldn't need to justify
Everything we are
And all that we believe
We could finally be
Whoever we both want to be
Angel knew that she and Collins weren't exactly what one would call an ordinary, conventional couple. She was sure it probably seemed like they were screaming and begging to be hated, as they were a gay couple, a biracial couple, and she was a transvestite. But Angel, from the bottom of her heart, just couldn't understand why it mattered so much to everyone. Angel was all about love, and she hated being hated for it.
When they walked down the street hand in hand, or God forbid, kissed in public, Angel constantly had to worry about and deal with dirty looks and jeering, disgusted remarks, or worse.
True, it was New York City, one of the most free, random, cultured places in the world, but that didn't mean it was free of discrimination.
One day, when Angel was drumming on the street, minding her own business, a man had walked past and spit on her. Shaking with rage, Angel had ran home and burst through the door crying hysterically.
She just didn't understand.
And when we can't be heard
And when we can't be seen
I will call you close
And you will reach for me
She loved Collins with all of her heart. He was the best thing to ever happen to her, her savior and her refuge. She loved the way his smile would sparkle in his eyes, and the way he would let her just lay with him and listed to his heartbeat, her fingers tracing patterns on his rich mahogany skin. When he wasn't home, sometimes she would take a shirt of his out of the dresser just so she could smell him, inhaling his essence to keep her sane until he returned.
She loved the way he would surprise her with little romantic gifts for no reason-nothing expensive, of course, but thoughtful and always priceless. They had promised each other that their love wasn't about material things or trifling worries-life was short, and they weren't going to be here for long. Their love was measured in kisses, thousands of sweet kisses.
Angel knew that many "normal," "acceptable" couples didn't share a love like that.
When all of the beauty turns to pain
When all of the madness falls like rain
As long as we crash and we collide
We will be gorgeous, you and I
As Angel wrapped her arms around her lover at the grungy subway station, she thought about the way people viewed them. She saw the usual glares and dirty looks, but turned away to face Collins instead.
His beautiful brown eyes penetrated hers and he smiled slightly.
Ignoring the people around them, Angel leaned forward and kissed him.
Those people just didn't understand.
But in the grand scheme of things, Angel realized, that didn't really matter at all.