Author's Note: Just a short piece I thought of doing, about one of Mimi's old friends from high school. I don't own the characters from RENT, yada yada.
A Knock at the Door
Do you remember me from way back when
We were different, you and I back then
I was an average boy, it seems
But you were a girl with bigger dreams
There was a knock at the door to the Loft, while Mark and company were just having another night of just hanging around. Amidst the laughter and the drinking (and the smoking and the sex jokes) Mark came to the door and slid it open. On the ground lay a thick binder, and a pair of roses.
I know you're not happy dancing for these men
So while you were gone, I picked up the pen
To write a story about people like you
Who know what they want, and know what to do
I remember back to that high school dance
When you were looking for romance
I really thought that I cared about you
Come to think of it now, I still do
"Hey, man, who's it for?"
Mark shrugged, picking up the binder and the flowers and bringing it in, setting it on a chair's armrest. There was an envelope on top of the binder, with the word Mimi on the front in fancy handwriting.
"I think it's for Mimi."
But you had dreams of love in your mind
And, needless to say, I was left behind
You were able to find a great new home
Leaving me to find my own niche, alone
You probably don't even remember my face
So I won't stay long, when I visit your place
I'll just leave my book, and a flower, or two
Just so you'll know what I think of you
Mimi took the envelope and took out its contents. Inside was a photograph of a younger, more beautiful (if that was possible) Mimi, posing with three of her girlfriends, each of them warm with laughter and having a good time. As she was looking at the photo, a smile came across her face as she had a small glimpse into the good old days. She was so young and everyone was so free, so spontaneous, so do-everything-right-now that it nearly brought tears to her eyes. As she looked the photo over, she recognized someone immediately, although his name she couldn't place. He was a young, Asian guy with round glasses and long hair tied back in a ponytail. But what was his name?
We all have our own stories to tell
And I'm glad that yours came out so well
You have a home where you belong
Just how I thought you would all along
Mark opened up the binder, and scanned over the title page. He looked up, and spoke.
"Hey, Meems, do you know a Nathaniel Sayson?"
So, Mimi Marquez, I bid you adieu
I'm sure you have better things to do
But I need you to do something for me, please
The only thing that can put my heart at ease
Pick up my book when you think you can
While you're happy with another man
I hope you remember the good times that we had
Whenever you're down or you're feeling sad
At the mention of his name, something clicked in Mimi's mind, and she raced to the window, stepping out onto the fire escape. Below her, on the sidewalk, was a man in black with his hands in his pockets, his long hair tied back in a ponytail…
Even though this might seem like goodbye
To say I'm leaving now would be a lie
If ever you feel like love is a crime
Pick up my book, if you have the time
I'll show you a world where love brings us through
Both the times when we're up, and the times when we're blue
I'll remember you, Mimi, with your moonlit hair
That one time when we danced, the one time you cared
If you can't remember me like I do you
Just turn the page, that's all you have to do…
…and as he turned around to look back at her, wistful smile across his lips, Mimi smiled, remembering what once was. Quietly stepping back into the Loft, she sat next to Roger, pulling the thick binder onto her lap. Times had changed, things were different now, and Mimi had a family that cared about her. She sat there for awhile with a smile on her face, her eyes closed, remembering.
"You okay, Mimi?"
Mimi opened her eyes, still smiling.
"Never better."
Mimi opened the binder and began to read.
Author's Note: Please read and review, no flames please. I hope you enjoyed it.