Chapter 2! Last chapter that's Pre-Rent. The next one will be during Rent, in between Christmas and New Year's. Enjoy and R&R

A year later, Mimi sat down on that same bus bench.

It was night time, and the bus that usually rode her home was shut down for the night. It was dark, and junkies and homeless people surrounded her. But she didn't care. She didn't care if they stole her things, or hurt her. She didn't care. Why?

Her older sister, Maxima, is dead.

She died only hours earlier, in a horrible car crash that took the lives of all involved. Mimi felt as if a part of her died as well. She loved her older sister so much. From 7-14 she was Mimi's role model. And now...Even more tears fell now. She skipped work, she dodged all of Angel's calls (harder than it sounds), and haven't eaten for hours.

All because her sister died.

Mimi brought her knees to her chest, and sobbed into her lap. Why was all she asked? Why did God choose her sister? Why?

Angel was probably worried, but she didn't care. Why should she? Her sister's dead. For once, Mimi didn't care about Angel or anything else at that moment. Even her drugs. All she cared about was crying until she could cry no more, and getting through the night.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Mimi gasped, and looked up. Why would someone ask? It was obvious that she wasn't! But something else shocked her; why would someone care?

Mimi was met by beautiful blue-green eyes. Mimi knew they were familiar, but-

"Oh my God, I know you!" the person cried. He sat down beside Mimi, and she couldn't help that feel that she knew him too. Where was he from...?

It hit her like lightning when she finally figured out where he was from.

He was the 'you looked like you need it' guy!

"I remember you...you helped me out that night. The night I decided to quit drugs." The man with the blue-green eyes said with a smile. He made Mimi sound like a hero...but was she really?

She's a junkie (even though before she took drugs she used to tell people how horrible drugs are...she told that to the man in front of her for example), an S&M dancer, and a girl who actually likes her job! God doesn't hurt good girls...He only punishes bad girls...

Like taking away their nice older sisters for example.

That only started the waterworks for Mimi. She couldn't stop the tears going down her face, because they refused to stop. The man looked at her in shock for a moment, and then took action.

"Hey, hey what's wrong? Was it something I said?" the innocent man asked, frowning in worry. Mimi managed to gasp out a "No!" before breaking down in sobs again.

"Please...d-don't cry," then he seemed to hesitate for a second, and then opened his arms,"C-Come here."

Wait a second...

Was he asking for a hug?

Mimi hesitated; was this man trying to get into her pants? This was not the time for that. Mimi wasn't ready for a guy to hit on her right now. He seemed to notice her hesitation, because he was quick to add, "No! I'm not...I'm not hitting on you! I just think...I think you need it." The man said with a small smile.

As if that was all she needed to hear, Mimi jumped into his arms, and buried her head into his chest.

For a minute the man hesitated to hug her back, and Mimi thought for a split second if she did the wrong thing. But then, Mimi felt his strong arms encircle her, and he put his cheek on her forehead.

"Shh, shh...it's okay, it's okay." The man whispered over and over as Mimi sobbed into his chest. At some point Mimi thought that his shirt was probably soaked, but that didn't stop her tears. She kept sobbing, and he kept cuddling her.

It was only half an hour later did the tears decide to retreat back to whence they came. But even after that, the man still held her and kept whispering gently, stroking her back comfortingly.

He's the most loving man I've ever met. She thought, as she sighed happily into his chest.

10 more comfortable minutes passed, and the tears were long gone, but the man still held her gently. Despite the fact that this man was a total stranger for the most part, she felt comfortable in his warm arms. While in his arms, she felt as if she was safe...safe from pain, from sickness, from death. From the horrible sorrow that threatened to overtake her...

Mimi made herself swallow any tears that threatened to fall. No, not again. Later, not now...

It was then Mimi realized how worried Angel probably was. He was probably searching the town for her, his anger and anxiety inching higher and higher... Mimi was hurting the only true friend she had...

Mimi knew what she had to do.

Mimi pulled away from the man, and when she did he frowned at her, and he kept his arms open as if waiting for her to started crying again.

"I'm fine." Mimi said, wiping her dried tears away from her face and forcing an award-winning smile. Okay, she wasn't totally fine, but she was good enough to get home and apologize to Angel, and at least explain what was wrong and what happened.

He gave her a small smile in return, and looked at her with a kindness in his eyes.

He understood.

Mimi was taken aback. She has never seen kindness and understanding in a man's eyes. Well, that's not completely true. She sees kindness and love in Angel's eyes, but Angel's her best friend. This man was mostly a stranger.

"I-I have to go. My f-friend is waiting for me." Mimi managed to say, but she felt reluctance as she said this. She didn't really want to leave this man. He was kind and comforting, the kind of guy that she has never met (except Angel, but he doesn't count). He was awesome just for remembering the last thing she said to him.

"Really?" He seemed even more disappointed, or maybe it was just her. "Yah, I have to apologize to my best friend. I've been blowing him off all day." Mimi explained, collecting her bearings. She stood up, and placed her small purse on her shoulder. But before she left, she had to-

"Here." Mimi whispered, and before she knew what she was doing she was hugging the blue-green eyed man. He again was taken by surprise, but slowly warmed up to the feeling of her in his arms again. She heard him chuckle at her.

All good things come to an end.

At least, that's how Mimi saw it as she pulled away. "I'll catch you later I guess." She said awkwardly, backing away. "Yeah." The man said with a smile. Mimi started to back away playfully, and said, "I'm going to go now."

"Yep you are." The man answered with a smile. "Wait!" Mimi cried, and ran back to him, and again surprised him by kissing him on the cheek. But before he could say anything, she turned away.

"Bye!" Mimi cried, before turning around skipping. The man just shook his head and chuckled.

It was too late when they both realized they didn't know each other's names.

Yes, I know that Roger didn't leave the house until Mimi came along, but this was one of the rare times that Mark actually forced him out.

Until next time! :)