Still Looking
By River of Tears
Disclaimer- You know I don't own Rent or the characters. I believe Warner Brothers does now.
"December 5th, 7:30 pm Eastern Standard Time. Zoom in on the red head in the book store. Hold the focus."
I, Mark Cohen stand outside a local book store hoping to catch something worthwhile with my camera. All I can find is some chick in a store. I just hope she doesn't notice me. That would be awkward but the camera loves her. I don't think I have ever seen someone read a book with such concentration before.
"Shit! She's walking out of the store!" I quickly stop the camera and dash across the busy New York street. Out of the corner of my eye I see her look at me and then focus on her bags. Just then some guy grabs her knock off "Louie", ripping the straps. I must have had a temporary lose of sanity because I ran across the street and started chasing after him. I believe that it is safe to say that I'm not the heroic type nor am I a fast runner. That's why I was surprised when I actually caught up to him.
I grab the collar of his shirt and spin him around. I wasn't expecting was the blow to the face that awaited me. The force pushed me backward making me fall into someone's arms. The man runs away as I struggle to get my feet.
"Are you alright?" I hear a voice say. I look in the direction of the voice and see the red head.
"Uh...yea. I'm fine. What about you?" I quickly cover my nose which has been gushing blood.
"Better then you are. You better get that nose checked out." she said as she handed me a tissue for my face. I press the tissue to my face, praying that the bleeding will stop soon.
"I'm Kasey. Do I get to find out my almost hero's name?"
"I'm Mark. Sorry about not getting your purse back."
"It's alright. There wasn't much in there. He probably needs it more then I do. Thanks for trying anyway."
"You must not be a native. A real New Yorker wouldn't have looked so surprised when that happened." She chuckles slightly and I notice her piercing blue eyes for the very first time.
"Ok. You caught me. You're such a smartass for pointing that out. I just moved her two months ago. I came to audition for some dance companies."
"I suppose you haven't had a decent tour of the area yet."
She gives me the most adorable smile and nods before replying, "I guess you could say I'm a little overdue for one." She takes out a pen from her pocket and writes something on the back of my hand. "Here's my number. I might just take you up on that tour." She turns to go but I stop her by touching her shoulder. I could have sworn there was some sort of energy when I touched her. "Wait. Let me at least walk you home. You're not an official New Yorker yet."
"Thanks but you should really get to a clinic. I'll be fine. Thanks again." She turns around again and finally leaves. Right when she is out of sight, rain starts pouring down. I run in the opposite direction towards the free clinic. As I am running I see the ink on my hand fade away.