Chapter 2: Nightingale

Disclaimer: JL owns Rent, I own my people

Stella's POV

"Daniel…this is amazing." I muttered in disbelief. It wasn't the best place to live, sure, but it was close to perfect for bohemians: which we certainly were. He shook his head, his black curls bouncing along with him, and let out a strange very Daniel-like yelp.

"It's more than amazing…" He pulled me along the streets, his voice low "Its… I don't know the word, but more than amazing."

"That's because you don't know many other words except for amazing." I quipped jokingly. His eyes grew big and his hand flew to his open mouth in mock anger before he tickle-tackled me.

"Ahhh!" I squirmed away giggling. He kissed me on the forehead before waving his hand in over exaggerated gesture towards the building next to us. "Our new apartment Madame."

He set his bags down and opened the door for me, "Thanks." Much to my dislike there were lots and lots of stairs.

"Oh come on Stella." He nudged me, "Its good for you."

I pouted and climbed the stairs extra slowly, Daniel knew I was scared of heights and just in general didn't like stairs.

"Where did the band go?" I asked as we started on the 4th flight of stairs, realizing they were no longer traipsing behind us.

He looked back and with his oh so graceful nature almost tripped. "They went out I guess, but they'll be back. Oh that reminds me, there are no buzzers here so if one of us is out we need to call up to throw down the key or use the fire escape."

I shrugged, "Sure." I threw my bags up onto the landing a couple steps up. "Finally!"

The apartment was small for all 6 of us, but it would have to do. It was like a miniature loft, with a tiny kitchen, living room, and 3 bedrooms. A couple windows lit the dingy room and all the mismatched fabrics gave off a very avant-garde feel. I set my stuff down and gave Daniel a hug. "Thank you for taking us here." "No problem sis"

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I sat down on the warm pavement, watching people walk past. People watching had always been fun for me. Everyone was just so different, it was fascinating. A group of punk rockers passed by while a group of tourists went the other way. But there was no animosity between them, just acceptance: so different from anything I had known.

My worn-down guitar case sat in front of me, the cocoa brown fabric was torn up but Mama's name still was emblazoned on the side: Kerrie Camden. I carefully lifted my guitar out and rested it on my knee. I bit my lip unperturbed by the constant flow of people while I tried to choose a song. A decided on one of the songs Mama had sung to be when I was younger.

As I sang the crowd seemed to thin and all I could focus on was him. He was in a group of people his age, they all seemed to be good friends. He had shaggy dirty blond hair and the most stunning green eyes. Although he didn't seem that much older than me, his eyes seemed to hold the world in them: all the pain, the sufferings, the happiness, passion, everything. He was wearing dark washed jeans and a tight black shirt under his leather jacket.

Our eyes connected for a moment, and all I felt was the heat. The world seemed to slip away. I blushed and looked back down at my guitar while I kept singing. I felt his group stop infront of me, I heard a small 'cling' as money landed in my case before they walked away.

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I pulled my knees to my chest and leaned against the sharp metal of the fire escape, looking out at a sea of lights in a frenzy on the skyline. The stars gleamed, twinkling from up above. Only a few could be seen with all the street lights blocking my vision, but I gazed up at them as they lay splattered in the heavens. When I was little, Mama used to sit with by the window and point out all the constellations. I closed my eyes, my mind flooded with memories of her arms around me, her perfume surrounding me. It was almost like she was almost still here.

I hugged my red jacket closer to me and breathed deeply. Gazing quickly back up on the stars, I wished that it all would get better and climbed back through the window to bed.

Roger's POV

Evie smiled up at me, her rosy cheeks highlighting her pale face. Her chubby little hand reached up and poked my face then giggled. I checked to make sure they weren't listening before I quietly cooed, "You're very cute. You're just having so much fun aren't you…" I heard another giggle but not from my goddaughter. I looked up to see Rachael standing there. I frowned as she kept laughing,

"Who knew you had a soft side?" She said, to which I growled. She lifted Evelyn out of my arms. "So you're coming right?"

"Uhhh…oh right." They had asked me if I wanted to come with them to the Life, but I had kinda spaced when actually considering it. I could almost feel myself going back into my shell and I was trying to get away from it. But trying turned out to be harder than it seemed. "Sure." I grabbed my leather jacket and followed her to the door while Mark came behind us.

I felt like a tag along as I dragged behind them as we walked towards the café. They smiled happily while Mark filmed. It all reminded me of last week when Rachael had told me I still had a chance. Somehow I doubted that, I mean sure I had time left but it seemed so unlikely. After April and Mimi would I even be able to love that way again?

I sighed and looked up, amazed by what I saw. Sitting on the side of the sidewalk was a girl who didn't look that much younger then me and her voice was raspy and thick as she sung along with her guitar.

Nightingale
Sing us a song
Of a love that once belonged
Nightingale
Tell me your tale
Was your journey far too long?

Does it seem like I'm looking for an answer
To a question I can't ask
I don't know which way the feather falls
Or if i should blow it to the left

All the voices that are spinnin' around me
Trying to tell me what to say
Can I fly right behind you
And you can take me away

She had glossy brown hair, tied back in a messy bun. She was wearing a white ethereal dress underneath a red coat with black buttons on the front, torn up tights and black boots. Her makeup wasn't overdone and instead accentuated her beautiful green eyes. They sparkled as she marveled at the crowd. Somehow, she had captured me and I couldn't stop looking at her. Suddenly our eyes met and we were held in this eye-lock that I couldn't bring myself to break. I felt Mark turn the camera to me, "Roger you ok?"

She looked back down at her guitar, her cheeks pinched. I shook my head, "Yeah yeah, I'm fine." Mark didn't believe me and led his lens in her direction.

"Ohh" He said quietly as a smirk came on his face. I ignored him as we got closer and her voice filled me. I leafed out some money and placed it into her case.

"You sure that's all?" Mark asked as we entered the Life, "You don't want to go back and even talk to her?"

"No" I mumbled as we all sat down. As the night continued, no amount of alcohol could take her from my mind. I couldn't let her get stuck there, I wasn't ready to move on, or even think about it.

Her eyes had such life, such spirit.

I took another drink trying to wash it all away from my mind.

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I saw a flash of red in the corner of my eye, I craned my head out the window and looked across the street but the color had vanished. Probably just my imagination I guessed. My groggy mind was probably just messing with me, again.

I looked back down at my guitar, the wood had been faded to a color of oatmeal. It used to be this rich amber color but after all this time it somehow had been reduced to the color or my least favorite food.

I rested my head in my hands and wished upon the stupid stars in the sky that one of these days my life could become something again.

Authors note: Sorry, but chapters will be about every week, too much going on to make the intervals shorter. Also the song featured was "Nightingale" by Norah Jones.