A/N: This is a over-used plot, I know. I am aware of this fact. But this will have a twist that I haven't read yet, so I hope it's original! I do not own Rent, through I want to. That pleasure belongs to the late, great Jonathan Larson. I do don't own Adam Pascal or Anthony Rapp, no matter how much I want them. Enjoy!

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Welcome back to Scarsdale!

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Scarsdale looks the same, not that I'm surprised. I didn't expect it to change, small towns rarely do. Dad's car is zooming through town, with Dad driving. Collins is looking horrified in the front seat, while Joanne has the same look in the back beside me. I haven't been here in years, since I was thirteen. Now we're moving back, with Gramps. Gramps owns a old farmhouse, that's not on a farm but the regular street with all the "normal" houses, and he and Dad thought that it would be a good idea to move back. Not that I blame Dad, three high school Seniors isn't the easiest to take care of. Add in that Collins is a gay anarchist, Joanne is a future lesbian lawyer and I'm a ex-junkie rock-and-roll-ist, I see why he feels he needs help.

"Slow down!" I thump the driver's seat. "You're gonna hit a kid! This ain't NYC no more."

"Crap!" Dad says, slowing dramatically. He looks at me through the mirror. "Oops."

I sigh as I look out the window. Sure enough, the next turn we take we see kids playing. Collins and Joanne, whom never lived anywhere other than New York, are amazed. Dad looks sheepish and I'm apathetic. Since April slit her wrists in rehab, I've been like that. No feelings, numb. I lock myself in my room and play my guitar all day, but with school starting, my "moping and sulking", as Joanne and Collins call it, will be cut in half.

As we drive to our new "home", I start recognizing houses and streets. Then I remember, out of no where. Dad looks smug from the front seat. I count houses, streets and then we get there. When we pull into the driveway, Gramps is already there, outside waiting for us. As we get out the car, I look to the house to the left. The door opens and a plump middle aged women comes out and hurries over to us. She pulls Collins and Joanne into a hug, surprising them both. Then she turns to me and gives me a bear hug, which I return. I begin to notice that things have changed. She once was women who was only slightly taller than I was (standing 5 foot 5 inches), and now I tower over her with my 6 foot body of tan skin and lean muscles. The mom of my best friend.

"Oh, honey, look at you!" she gushes. "My, how you've grown! And you must Tom and Joanne! Look at you two! So handsome!" she turns to Joanne "and beautiful! You must meet my son, through Roger already knows him" she gives me a blinding smile. "His friends are in the house also, so you'll get to meet them too! MARK!" she turns and screams "COME AND MEET THE NEW NEIGHBORS!"

I turn and watch the door in time to see him come through the door.

"Roger" I see his lips say. Mark Cohen. My best friend since kindergarten, my secret crush. Welcome to Scarsdale.

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"MARK!" I hear my mom scream from outside. "COME AND MEET THE NEW NEIGHBORS!" I turn and look at the gang. They shrug and we get up and go outside. And then I see him. Roger Davis. My best friend since kindergarten, my secret crush. Who left when I was twelve with his Dad because his Dad's friend needed help with his son, just becoming a single dad. And that must be the friend's son next to him. Who the girl is, I don't know, but there is only one way to find out. So I start walking over to them, with everyone following behind me. When I get to him, he pulls he into a giant bear hug. I can't help but laugh and hug with all my might. As we part, everyone looks at us, the adults were inside, something about coffee. the gang looks distrustful, with reason. I just hope that Roger and his friends don't freak. Angel starts the introductions.

"Angel Dumott Schunard, gay drag queen". I see Roger smirk, the girl raise a eyebrow and the dude smile as he steps up.

"Tom Collins, gay anarchist, but call me Collins". Maureen steps up next.

"Maureen Johnson, bisexual performance artist". The girl smirks, looks at Roger then back.

"Joanne Jefferson, a future lesbian lawyer." Then Mimi steps up.

"Mimi Marquez, ex-junkie" she smirks, victorious. The girl, Joanne and the dude, Collins smirk and look at Roger and I feel somethings gonna be said that I won't like.

"Roger Davis, bisexual ex-junkie guitar player/song writer, whose last girlfriend slit her wrist in rehab" he says with an raised eyebrow, challenging. The gang's eyes open wide. Roger looks at me, almost pleading.

"This is Benny, Mimi's boyfriend." I motion to Benny. "And I'm Mark Cohen, filmmaker"

"Gay filmmaker." Maureen says, looking from me to Roger, then winking. Gladly, Roger missed it but Joanne and Collins didn't. "So Roger, you grew up!" Maureen is the only to actually know Roger, being her next door neighbor from the time he moved to Scarsdale (he was five) til he moved.

"Really?" Roger asked surprised. "So that's what puberty did. Huh, now I know."

"Roger" Collins says warningly. Roger just rolls his eyes, turning to me. His smile was blinding, I felt my knees start weakening. He can still do that, even after five years. Maureen smirks at me and I blush. She turns to Roger and pouts at him and I get jealous when he heaves a big great sigh and slings his arm. She as always done that to him, our third Musketeer. I glare at her and she giggles and starts leading him to my house. We all go in and sit down in living room and she sits in his lap! And flirts with him! How could she! Luckily Mr. Davis calls Roger, Collins and Joanne back to help unpack. When they leave, I turn to Maureen.

"You slut!" I hiss at her. She seems surprised, with the rest of the gang. "Whore! How could you!"

"Marky, what I do?" She asked me, hurt.

"You were flirting him! How could you!" I glare and she gets it.

"Oh, Marky!" She flings her arms around me. "I'm so, so, so, so, sorry! I didn't know you still liked him! I thought you were over him! I'm so, SO sorry! From now on, he's off limits! I swear! And I'll kill anyone who tries! Swear!" I wrap my arms around her and hug her back.

"So, Roger?" Angel starts. "He's sexy. You got great taste, I'll help."

"Yeah, it'll be fun!" Mimi agrees. "Of course we'll help!"

"Yeah, of course. I'm in" Benny wraps his arms around Mimi's waist. "I owe ya." I got them together.

"Thanks, guys" I smile at them.

"Crap, Mimi chica, we're late for dinner." Angel yelps.

"I'll give ya'll a ride" Benny says standing up. He gives me a hug, "Don't worry, I got your back." Maureen hitchs a ride with them, leaving me alone. I go to my room and turn on my radio, lay on my bed and think.

Roger. Welcome back to Scarsdale.