Hi everyone, welcome back to this story!
So I'm really sorry but this is probably also going to be quite a short chapter due to time and work and stuff like that… sorry.
Disclaimer: I do not own RENT: The Musical (or movie), Austin & Ally or anything you recognise from the show in any way, shape or form, nor do I own any recognisable brands, songs or lyrics within them.
I hope you guys like this chapter!
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Chapter 7
It was 8:30 in downtown Miami, and inside a local shelter sat a group of young adults, residents of the area, sat on cheap, plastic fold up chairs in a small circle. On the wall, an old, battered, distressed red banner hung, with the words "Life Support" vaguely visible, messily written in fading white paint.
It was cold, the small shack they called a shelter had no form of heating, and it was of course Christmas eve, mid-winter, a time that was renowned for being freezing cold even in Miami, a city usually associated with the warm and the sun.
Christmas carols could faintly be heard, playing out from an old, dirty speaker sat in one corner of the room, with a solitary empty CD case left on the floor next to it.
There were about 10 people in the circle. The leader of the group, Paul, stood up and looked around at all those in the room, offering each a warm smile. "Good evening everyone. First of all, merry Christmas!" At this, everyone's smiles brightened just slightly as the amazing power of the Christmas spirit touched them all even for just a second. "So, as normal, let's just go around and say our names so any first-timers or returners can know who everyone is. So my name is Paul." He said, before indicating to the woman on his right to do the same.
"Stacey."
"Mark."
"Phil."
"Mary."
"Harry."
"Lucy."
Next to Lucy were two men, sat directly next to each other holding hands and smiling at each other, clearly almost entirely oblivious to everything around them as they enjoyed the feelings of comfort and happiness they felt around each other. Like those before them, they too each said their names, completing the circle of members.
"Dallas."
"Elliot."
That brought them back around to Paul, who remained standing and once again offered everyone a bright smile. "Well, welcome everyone to this meeting of the Life Support group."
It was normal practice to either all sing a song or play a game to begin the sessions, just to loosen everyone up and get them ready and happy to interact and just have a bit of fun. "So," Paul continued. "as it's Christmas Eve, why don't we sing a Christmas carol to begin?"
Everyone nodded, happy with this suggestion, and Paul walked over to the CD player and skipped through the tracks until he found the one he was looking for. The soft music of the carol drifted through the room and everyone began to sing, perfectly harmonising without even having to try.
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him... give my heart.
Once the song was finished, everyone sat back down in their seats and got ready to begin the session properly. Paul, having put the CD back on its normal loop, re-joined the circle with the other members. He had just opened his mouth to speak when the door flew open and a tall ginger man entered, dragging another blonde man with him.
"H-hi…" Said Dez nervously.
"Hello, can we help you?" Asked Paul politely.
"Y-yes, sorry to interrupt, but my friend Austin here has been struggling on his own for a while, and I just thought that maybe he should come here… where you can help and support him." Dez explained, whilst Austin glared at him from behind.
"Oh yes of course, welcome! Come, take a seat Austin." Paul said, indicating to the stack of chairs.
Begrudgingly, Austin walked over to the stack, picked a chair up and walked over to the circle. He placed his chair down between Dallas and Lucy and sat down on it, offering the two men he knew a small "Hey." and a wave.
Satisfied, Dez shot Austin a smile, apologised to Paul again for interrupting, and left.
The session passed as normal, with the participants each sharing, if they were comfortable, why they were there and what worried them most about having AIDs.
Surprisingly, Austin actually did feel much better by the end of the session. He had expected to hate it vigorously, and have the worst time ever, but he was actually surprised by how reassuring it was to just share thoughts with people who were going through a similar thing to him.
When the hour was up, everyone stood up and placed their chairs away, before wishing each other a Merry Christmas and leaving, heading their separate ways.
Austin had enjoyed his time, but he was more than a little relieved when he got home and could just flop on the couch, exhausted. However it was not long before his solitude was interrupted…
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There's chapter 7… yeah, kinda short and not much really happened, sorry! My time for writing this story is currently very limited, but I'm trying my best to try and update on the schedule with as good a chapter as I can make.
But seriously, I know it's really early, but just writing about Christmas is making me so excited I already can't wait!
Please remember to follow, favourite and review, your support seriously means SO much to me!
Catch you later :)
