School Hard

By: Erin (Kate)

Angel

After much back patting from Collins and even more of an apology from Mark, I start to feel better about Mark's drag comment. I was just overreacting. I tend to do that.

But I understand. Mark wasn't talking about drag. Mark was talking about Mark in drag. And, well, Mark was right. Judging from these pictures, Mark in drag really isn't pretty. Although... perhaps I could make Mark pretty. I've been known to do things that are considered impossible. Besides, Mark's a cutie and I can probably figure out how to play up to his good features-like those blue eyes-better than any drunk high school musicians. I'm mentally making a list of make-up to put together and a way to convince Mark to let me play with his faces, when I feel Collins' chin drop onto my shoulder.

"Lover? What're you thinking about?" His deep voice rumbles in my ear, as his arms slip around my waist. "You've got the hugest grin on your face."

I laugh and lean back against my Collins, rubbing my hands over his arms. "I'm thinking about how to make Mark look pretty in drag... I figure I can do it." With that, we both burst into hysterical laughter. I love Collins so much, I knew he'd find it just as funny. I know he knows I can do it too.

Collins abruptly stops laughing and squeezes my waist to get me to do the same. "What is it?" I ask softly as he taps my chin to get me to follow his gaze. Mark's sitting there, bright red and looking absolutely miserable. Roger elbows him and holds out another pictures, which causes Mark to stick his tongue out. "Poor boy..."

I have to remember that Mark's more sensitive. Probably doesn't help that his ex and his idol are both laughing hysterically at him right now. I should save the kid. But how... how? "I was on the football team!" I blurt out.

Staring all around.

I blush a little and grin at everyone. I knew that would divert attention from Mark. Giggling a little, I wink at Mark and he grins back.

"You were on the football team?" Roger finally manages.

"I was the quarterback." I nod, beaming even more.

"The quarterback?" Hehe, Roger is really really amusing when he's incredulous.

"Well... in grade nine. Because I was tall." Actually, I was basically about the same size I am now, but they don't need to know that. At the time I was considered tall.

I'm suddenly very aware of a very curvy, female body plopped in my lap. "Angeeeeel..." Maureen whines, wiggling around. "I don't understand... How could you be a quarterback? You probably weight less than I do."

"Well, maybe you should have been a quarterback, then," I quip, more interested by the unusual noises coming from Collins behind me. "Darling?"

"Make... Maureen... get up..." He tells me. "Too much weight on Tommy-Boy."

I look down and realize Maureen's sitting on top of me, who is sitting on top of Collins. Oops... I poke Mo's ass, which immediately causes her to squeal and jump a foot in the air. She lands in the middle of the floor.

"Better, honey?" I smile at Collins as we collapse against each other, laughing.

Once we finally compose ourselves, I lift myself up to find Roger still staring at me, completely amazed. "Quarterback? Quarterback? Benny wasn't even on the football team."

I shake my head and laugh. "Look, Rog, I was on the football team in grade 9, I thought it'd be fun. I was the quarterback, because I was the biggest one on the team. And then, by grade 11, everyone grew and I didn't. And so I started taking dance." I nod grinning, as Roger just blinks.

"This seems to be too much for his Neanderthal brain to grasp right now," I giggle to Collins. It's so funny, because to Roger everyone has roles and he just gets so confused when they step out of them.

"Wait, let me get this straight-" Roger starts up again.

I roll my eyes and hold my hand up, interrupting him. "Me. Football. Play. Run fast. Much fun. Then thin and short. No more football. That simple enough for you to understand?"

Roger growls and leaps towards me as I burst out laughing again. Mimi sets a hand on his arm and drags him back. "Come on, baby, you don't hit girls. And you know Angel was just joking." Roger still looks petulant, so she crawls on top of him and starts kissing him, while everyone else just laughs.

I settle back against Collins and wave Mark over to me. "Back to Roger being embarrassed now, huh?"

Mark laughs and leans over, giving me a big hug. "Thanks, I needed that. It's always good to see Roger humiliated."

"'Specially when he can't blame you for any of it, huh?" I laugh as well, holding onto Mark for a moment longer. "It's nothing I wouldn't do for one of my friends, honey. Don't worry about it."

Mark smiles gratefully, going back over to his seat. I look up at Collins, happy to have done one of my good deeds of the day. "Hey, Tom? I think maybe it's your turn now."

He looks down at me and I just smile. "Your turn to do a good deed. Take the embarrassment off Roger."

Collins groans, burying his face in my shoulder. "Why'd I choose such a sweetheart to fall in love with?"

I just kiss the top of his head and laugh.

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Author's Note: Yeah, it's short again. But, I'm leaving for vacation tomorrow, so I thought I'd just leave something before I go. I promise, the next chapter will either be longer, or I'll update more at a time to make up for it! :)

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Jonathan Larson.

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