I don't own Rent. Hope you are enjoying my story. IF you have tips or any kind of suggestions please let me know and leave feedback. Thanks :)
Would you light my candle?
Sam was happy, yet sad when the night finally came to an end when everyone slowly started heading home. The last ones left of the group were: Maureen, Joanne, Collins, Mark and her. Joanne then looked at her watch. "Well we better get going Maureen; I have to be at the office early. It was nice to meet you, Sam" Joanne said smiling.
"BYE SAM" Maureen yelled loudly as she and Joanne stepped out of the café and walked back to the loft.
"Hey I'll see you back at the loft, Mark. Hope to see you around more Sam." Collins said as he followed after the two women.
"Well, it's just us. Would you like me to walk you home?" Mark said smiling.
"Um, sure." Sam said as they walked outside and unlocked their bikes. "This way." Sam said as she smiled.
The whole way to Sam's place the two stayed quiet, as if absorbing the silence. When they reached her place Mark finally found his voice. "So did you enjoy yourself?"
"Yea that was lots of fun. I just have a question. How come there were three empty seats?" Sam asked as they sat on the steps that led up to her apartment.
Mark sighed sadly. "They are for Angel, Mimi, and Roger. Angel died recently. Halloween was her funeral. She was Collins' lover. She died of AIDS. "Mark paused and took a deep breath. He could feel the tears coming but knew he had to finish. "Mimi was one of Angel's best friends. She lives underneath me and my friends in the apartment below the loft. She dances at the Cat Scratch Club, but she is in rehab right now. She's a junkie, but with Benny's help she is getting the help she needs that we can't afford to give her. She has HIV as well." Mark paused again knowing the next one would be the hardest. He took off his glasses and wiped away the tears that had started to flow.
"Wow, I'm so sorry. " Sam sputtered out as she reached to pull Mark into a hug. "Believe it or not I know how it feels, one of my best friends, she died 4 months ago due to AIDS."
Mark looked up as he placed his glasses back on his face. "Really?" He asked
Sam slowly shook her head yes. "That's why I moved here. Me and her always dreamed of moving to New York and living together, and make our own paths in life here. When she died, I knew I had to continue her dream for her. So I moved here."
"Wow. That's amazing Sam." Mark said as he placed his hand on her knee.
"Thanks, hey you never did finish your story. What about Roger? What's his story?" She asked
Mark took a big sigh before continuing. "Roger is my best friend. He has HIV as well, but doesn't know how to escape pain, so after Angel died he left."
"Left? Where did he go?" Sam asked
"Santa Fe. He loves Mimi, but doesn't want to see her die, so he ran. I miss him so much. I'm hoping he comes back soon, but knowing Roger there is no telling. He was a junkie but Collins and I helped him off the stuff." Mark said as he took his glasses off to wipe the tears that had flowed freely down his face.
"Wow. I'm sorry you've had so much pain in your life" Sam said as she pulled Mark into a hug.
"It's okay. Cause all three of them have taught me to live No Day But Today" Mark said smiling
"Well I better getting going" Sam said as she stood up, "I have to be down at BUzzline pretty early."
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow. Good-night Sam." Mark said as he stood up as well.
"Good-night Mark." Sam said as she disappeared inside.
With that Mark took his bike and went back to the loft. Once inside he collapsed in his bed, on the other hand Sam was doing something entirely different. As soon as she closed the door she slid down the door and cried into her hands.