Author's Notes:
Same as before, some of the dialogue isn't mine. Some is, however, because I thought having Mimi and Roger speak in rhyme for the whole chapter would sound rather silly after awhile. There's a little bit of Angel in this chapter, and I promise more later, since she seems to be everyone's favorite. I had a lot of fun with this chapter, I'm actually proud of it, and I'll love you forever if you review.
Sashay--when are you going to post the next part of After The Fall? I love that story, and I've been waiting forever for it!
Rinny--Thanks for your comments. I adore your stories, and can't wait to see more of them!
I hadn't even made it back to my apartment before I started to regret running out like that. What was I thinking? It had been rude, yeah, but I wasn't as concerned with that as I was with the fact that I'd met a cute guy, who seemed sweet, and who was obviously interested in me as well. And I'd run out on him? Mimi, what were you thinking?
Well, I couldn't go back there now. Not like this, anyhow. I'd blown my chance there, and if I wanted a second chance, I'd have to earn it.
I changed my clothes quickly, since I was still without heat. My shiny blue pants, which I'd gotten at the Waldorf Hysteria last week on a shopping trip with Angel, and still hadn't worn. My favorite silver top. And for good measure, a sprinkling of glitter in my hair. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror. Let's see any man resist me now, I thought triumphantly.
When I went to knock on Roger's door again, I was completely confidant. So much so that I didn't bother with knocking, and simply flung the door open.
Ten minutes later I was back out in the hall, alone and with my tail between my legs. I couldn't believe it. He'd turned me down flat. I'd never had that happen before. I'd tried every trick I knew, and I could have sworn I'd had him when I leapt up on the table and kissed him. But no.
Well, who needed him? I thought to myself. It wasn't like I wasn't capable of picking up anyone else just because one man turned me down. I'd go out, and I'd find someone cuter and nicer and who knew how to have fun, unlike that sourpuss. It wasn't like he was the only single guy left in New York. It was his loss, after all.
I was halfway out of the building when I realized I'd left my stash back in Roger's apartment. "Shit," I muttered to myself. Just when I needed it, too. Now I'd have to find Kenny and buy more. Just fantastic.
He wasn't too difficult to spot. I located him almost right away when I got to St. Mark's Place, noting, as always, the crowd that followed him. I sighed to myself and went to join them.
It was crazy. People were begging for just about every substance imaginable, crying, pleading for whatever they needed for their fix. It was almost my turn when I heard someone tug on my coat sleeve.
It was Roger. "Hey."
I shrugged. "Hey."
"I just want to say." He looked nervous, and if he hadn't embarrassed me so badly before, I would have felt sorry for him. "I'm sorry for the way--"
Whatever. "Forget it."
It was like I hadn't said anything. "I blew up," he finished. "Can I make it up to you?"
I rolled my eyes. "How?"
He offered a small smile. "Dinner party?"
How did he know that I was starving? Fine, but this had better be good. "That'll do."
Roger took my arm and we started off, only to be interrupted by Kenny, who had been watching the scene. "Hey, lover boy," my dealer sneered. "You steal my client, you die!"
Roger wasn't phased at all as he put his arm around my shoulders and stared defiantly back at Kenny. "You didn't miss me, and you won't miss her!" he retorted. "You'll never lack for customers."
I started to giggle as Roger and I walked off. "Hey," he protested. "What's so funny?"
"Do you always talk in rhyme?" I asked, going off into another little burst of smothered laughter. "Or is this just to impress me?"
He looked a little thrown off by my comment. Obviously no one had teased him in a long time. I resolved to do it as much as possible. "Hey, I'm a songwriter," he shrugged. "Force of habit."
"Well, I think it's cute," I told him, enjoying how he blushed. "Where are we going to dinner?"
"Life Café. I hope you're hungry." He ran a hand through his hair. "My friend's friend came into some money, so he's treating us all." He beckoned to a small blond man, who came over to join us. "This is my roommate Mark."
Mark looked familiar. Of course he would, if we lived in the same apartment building. It was only natural that we'd run into each other now and then. Then I saw the camera in his hand and it came to me. I'd caught him filming me a couple of times, mostly when I went out to work. I was never mad, because he looked harmless, and besides, it was fun to see him almost fall down the stairs when I suddenly spun around and blew a kiss toward the camera.
"Mark, this is Mimi," Roger continued. "She'll be dining with us."
"Hi," we said together.
Now it was Mark's turn to stare at me. "I think we've met."
I tried not to notice as Roger did a little imitation of my handcuff dance, and Mark's eyes widened with recognition.
I sighed. Boys.
A few snowflakes fluttered down from the sky. I turned my face upwards, watching in delight as the white flakes danced down from the heavens.
"We're going to the lot first, okay?" Roger asked me.
"Maureen's performing," Mark added.
The name didn't ring a bell. "Who's Maureen?"
Roger nodded toward Mark. "His ex."
"But I'm over her!" Mark added quickly. He caught Roger's skeptical look. "Really, I am!"
What was I supposed to say to that? "Well, I'm sure it'll be a fine performance." I took my hand out of my jacket pocket and slipped it into Roger's. He pulled away almost immediately.
"Let's not hold hands yet," he mumbled, looking obviously uncomfortable.
"Is that a warning?" I shot back before I could think. I was sorry almost immediately. He obviously had relationship issues and wanted to take this slowly. On the other hand, he'd invited me to dinner. Not the other way around.
I didn't want to fight about this right now. "All right," I gave in, returning my hand to my jacket pocket. The three of us walked in silence to the 11th street lot.
We arrived just as Maureen started her performance. She looked familiar too, probably because she'd lived in the loft with Mark before she left him. For another woman, Roger whispered to me. That one, right over there. He gestured to a tall black woman who was sitting in a folding chair beside the sound equipment. "Mark's still a little sore about that."
The performance was.interesting to say the least. Maureen made up in enthusiasm what she lacked in talent, and she was obviously so passionate about what she was doing that no one dared snicker or laugh, at least, not where she could see them.
"I've got to get out of here!" she screamed suddenly, causing me to jump slightly. I tugged on Roger's jacket. "Is she always like this?" I whispered in his ear.
He shook his head. "This is a special occasion," he whispered back. "Usually she's a lot worse than this."
I bit my lip to keep from giggling and returned my attention to the protest.
"Then, a little bulldog entered," Maureen continued. "His name, we have learned, was Benny, and although he once had principles, he abandoned them to live as a lapdog to a wealthy daughter of the revolution." There was more after that, including an uncanny impression that would have had me screaming in laughter if I hadn't been so nervous.
Benny was *here*? Why? What on earth for? I hadn't seen him since our breakup three months ago, and I didn't particularly want to see him now. Or for him to see me either, for that matter. I hugged my knees to my chest and tried to hide behind Roger as much as I could.
The performance ended with a bang, as Maureen led the crowd of spectators in a chorus of mooing. I felt a bit awkward at first, but there was something about Maureen's enthusiasm that was contagious. Besides, the louder I mooed, the more Roger blushed.
He really was adorable when he was embarrassed.
We all went as a group down to the Life Café. Mark got stopped by the waiter, but Roger and I were allowed to go ahead and sit down. He pulled a chair out for me, but I had to take off my coat myself. Still, half was better than none.
"Mimi, honey, hi!" Angel greeted me, sitting down in a nearby chair. "What are you doing here?"
I gestured to Roger, who was apparently absorbed in a spot on the table. "Roger invited me."
Angel gave him an approving glance. "He's cute."
"Angel!" I laughed. "I see you've got someone too."
"I most certainly do." She tapped her partner's shoulder. "Honey, this is my friend Mimi. Mimi, this is Tom Collins."
"Hi, Mimi." He had a firm handshake and a nice voice. "It's nice to meet you."
I chatted with them for the next few minutes. Roger was ignoring me anyhow, and Collins was a very nice guy. It turned out he'd been roommates with Mark, Roger, Benny, and Maureen. Did everyone here know each other already?
Then I saw him, sitting at a nearby table and talking with a man I figured to be his father-in-law. I'd been in the middle of recounting something funny Angel had said last week, and I stopped mid-sentence as I stared helplessly over at Benny, who thankfully, hadn't spotted me yet.
Angel patted my hand. "Mimi, what's wrong?"
"Benny's here," I whispered. "What's Benny doing here?"
She gave my arm an understanding squeeze. "It looks like he's got a lot on his mind," she suggested hopefully. "Maybe he won't notice you're here."
I risked a glance back over at him. Now he and Maureen had gotten into a bit of a spat and were hurling insults toward each other. I allowed myself to relax a little. Maybe Angel was right after all.
Then I heard Benny's voice say my name, and immediately tensed up again. "Mimi, I'm surprised," he said sadly, shaking his head in disbelief. "A bright and charming girl like you hangs out with these slackers--" he broke away and glared at Mark and Roger. Mark smiled innocently back at him. Roger sent a fierce glare in Benny's direction. Fortunately, for me, anyhow, the conversation quickly shifted toward unpaid rent and broken deals. Maybe I could make it through this after all.
Dinner was so-so. The food was great, like it always was, but Roger all but ignored me. About halfway through, everyone started getting a little frisky. Maureen mooned Benny and Mr. Grey, much to the delight of everyone at our table. Angel and I leapt up onto the table and performed a little salute to leather and dildos. Mark gleefully orchestrated an impromptu tribute to Bohemia.
I was just getting into it when I felt someone pull me aside. "Your new boyfriend doesn't know about us?"
Shit. He'd seen that I was with Roger. Although how he could have deduced that, when Roger had barely spoken two words to me since we arrived, I had no idea. I was feeling hurt, and angry, and that made me more defensive with Benny than I really should have been. "There's nothing to know."
His grip on my arm tightened. "Don't you think that we should discuss--"
I pulled away. "It was three months ago!"
Benny glanced over at Roger, who was busy plucking out notes on his electric guitar. "He doesn't act like he's with you."
Did he have to remind me of that? Benny usually wasn't the type to kick someone when they were down, but he was obviously upset at me or at Roger or at both of us.
"We're taking it slow," I informed him, hoping to convince myself as well.
Benny raised an eyebrow, and it was obvious he didn't believe me. "Where is he now?"
I sighed. "He's right--" But he wasn't. Roger had disappeared in the last thirty seconds, and now I had no idea where to find him. "Hey, where'd he go?"
I spun around and walked away from Benny at that point, feeling a tiny glow of satisfaction. The only one of the whole night, so far. Then I saw Roger, in the middle of the party again, playing a rather fucked up version of Musetta's Waltz. At least he hadn't ditched me altogether, I thought, although I could get little comfort from that.
I went to confront him as soon as he finished. "Did I do something wrong?" I demanded. "First you invite me, then you ignore me?"
"I've been trying!" he protested. "No one's perfect. I've got baggage."
Oh, please. Whatever it was, it couldn't possibly be worse than mine. "Life's too short, Roger," I informed him. "I'm looking for baggage that goes with mine."
"I should tell you," he muttered to himself. Did he ever listen to a word I said?
"I've got baggage too!" I repeated, louder this time. He'd have to be either deaf or flat out ignoring me not to hear it that time.
A shrill series of beeps interrupted me, and I quickly turned my beeper. "AZT break," I announced, fishing the bottle of pills out of my coat pocket. Someone passed me a bottle of water and I took a swig, gulping down two of the little capsules.
Roger was staring at me when I looked back at him. His eyes had so many questions, but all he could do was point at my pill bottle. "You?"
I nodded slowly. "Me. You?"
"Mimi." His voice was softer than I'd heard it all evening. "I didn't know, and I thought that you didn't know, and we--"
I put a finger to his lips. "Now we know," I said softly. "It's okay now."
Roger took my hands in his. I was surprised at how warm they were. "Mimi, I'm scared," he whispered. "It's been so long that I don't know how to do this anymore."
I squeezed his hands tightly. "I'm scared too," I admitted. "But I think what we might have here is worth the risk."
"So do I." We stood in silence for a few moments, staring into each others eyes. A few more flakes of snow drifted down. I could almost hear our hearts beating, in rhythm and equally terrified. It was Roger who broke the spell, bringing one hand to my face and stroking my cheek gently. "You want to get out of here?"
I nodded. He put his arm around me and we started back up Avenue B. When we reached our apartment building, I fumbled for my keys, but Roger stopped me. "I have a better idea," he told me, grabbing my hand and leading me over to the fire escape. He had to jump a few times, but finally succeeded in catching the bottom rung and pulling it down.
We climbed up the stairs until we reached the top, right next to his apartment. Down the street at the café, the party was still going on. The snow was falling a bit heavier now, and the park had all but turned white. "It's beautiful," I whispered.
Roger smiled and pulled me to him. Everything was forgotten as I felt his arms go about me, and his lips come down on mine.
Same as before, some of the dialogue isn't mine. Some is, however, because I thought having Mimi and Roger speak in rhyme for the whole chapter would sound rather silly after awhile. There's a little bit of Angel in this chapter, and I promise more later, since she seems to be everyone's favorite. I had a lot of fun with this chapter, I'm actually proud of it, and I'll love you forever if you review.
Sashay--when are you going to post the next part of After The Fall? I love that story, and I've been waiting forever for it!
Rinny--Thanks for your comments. I adore your stories, and can't wait to see more of them!
I hadn't even made it back to my apartment before I started to regret running out like that. What was I thinking? It had been rude, yeah, but I wasn't as concerned with that as I was with the fact that I'd met a cute guy, who seemed sweet, and who was obviously interested in me as well. And I'd run out on him? Mimi, what were you thinking?
Well, I couldn't go back there now. Not like this, anyhow. I'd blown my chance there, and if I wanted a second chance, I'd have to earn it.
I changed my clothes quickly, since I was still without heat. My shiny blue pants, which I'd gotten at the Waldorf Hysteria last week on a shopping trip with Angel, and still hadn't worn. My favorite silver top. And for good measure, a sprinkling of glitter in my hair. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror. Let's see any man resist me now, I thought triumphantly.
When I went to knock on Roger's door again, I was completely confidant. So much so that I didn't bother with knocking, and simply flung the door open.
Ten minutes later I was back out in the hall, alone and with my tail between my legs. I couldn't believe it. He'd turned me down flat. I'd never had that happen before. I'd tried every trick I knew, and I could have sworn I'd had him when I leapt up on the table and kissed him. But no.
Well, who needed him? I thought to myself. It wasn't like I wasn't capable of picking up anyone else just because one man turned me down. I'd go out, and I'd find someone cuter and nicer and who knew how to have fun, unlike that sourpuss. It wasn't like he was the only single guy left in New York. It was his loss, after all.
I was halfway out of the building when I realized I'd left my stash back in Roger's apartment. "Shit," I muttered to myself. Just when I needed it, too. Now I'd have to find Kenny and buy more. Just fantastic.
He wasn't too difficult to spot. I located him almost right away when I got to St. Mark's Place, noting, as always, the crowd that followed him. I sighed to myself and went to join them.
It was crazy. People were begging for just about every substance imaginable, crying, pleading for whatever they needed for their fix. It was almost my turn when I heard someone tug on my coat sleeve.
It was Roger. "Hey."
I shrugged. "Hey."
"I just want to say." He looked nervous, and if he hadn't embarrassed me so badly before, I would have felt sorry for him. "I'm sorry for the way--"
Whatever. "Forget it."
It was like I hadn't said anything. "I blew up," he finished. "Can I make it up to you?"
I rolled my eyes. "How?"
He offered a small smile. "Dinner party?"
How did he know that I was starving? Fine, but this had better be good. "That'll do."
Roger took my arm and we started off, only to be interrupted by Kenny, who had been watching the scene. "Hey, lover boy," my dealer sneered. "You steal my client, you die!"
Roger wasn't phased at all as he put his arm around my shoulders and stared defiantly back at Kenny. "You didn't miss me, and you won't miss her!" he retorted. "You'll never lack for customers."
I started to giggle as Roger and I walked off. "Hey," he protested. "What's so funny?"
"Do you always talk in rhyme?" I asked, going off into another little burst of smothered laughter. "Or is this just to impress me?"
He looked a little thrown off by my comment. Obviously no one had teased him in a long time. I resolved to do it as much as possible. "Hey, I'm a songwriter," he shrugged. "Force of habit."
"Well, I think it's cute," I told him, enjoying how he blushed. "Where are we going to dinner?"
"Life Café. I hope you're hungry." He ran a hand through his hair. "My friend's friend came into some money, so he's treating us all." He beckoned to a small blond man, who came over to join us. "This is my roommate Mark."
Mark looked familiar. Of course he would, if we lived in the same apartment building. It was only natural that we'd run into each other now and then. Then I saw the camera in his hand and it came to me. I'd caught him filming me a couple of times, mostly when I went out to work. I was never mad, because he looked harmless, and besides, it was fun to see him almost fall down the stairs when I suddenly spun around and blew a kiss toward the camera.
"Mark, this is Mimi," Roger continued. "She'll be dining with us."
"Hi," we said together.
Now it was Mark's turn to stare at me. "I think we've met."
I tried not to notice as Roger did a little imitation of my handcuff dance, and Mark's eyes widened with recognition.
I sighed. Boys.
A few snowflakes fluttered down from the sky. I turned my face upwards, watching in delight as the white flakes danced down from the heavens.
"We're going to the lot first, okay?" Roger asked me.
"Maureen's performing," Mark added.
The name didn't ring a bell. "Who's Maureen?"
Roger nodded toward Mark. "His ex."
"But I'm over her!" Mark added quickly. He caught Roger's skeptical look. "Really, I am!"
What was I supposed to say to that? "Well, I'm sure it'll be a fine performance." I took my hand out of my jacket pocket and slipped it into Roger's. He pulled away almost immediately.
"Let's not hold hands yet," he mumbled, looking obviously uncomfortable.
"Is that a warning?" I shot back before I could think. I was sorry almost immediately. He obviously had relationship issues and wanted to take this slowly. On the other hand, he'd invited me to dinner. Not the other way around.
I didn't want to fight about this right now. "All right," I gave in, returning my hand to my jacket pocket. The three of us walked in silence to the 11th street lot.
We arrived just as Maureen started her performance. She looked familiar too, probably because she'd lived in the loft with Mark before she left him. For another woman, Roger whispered to me. That one, right over there. He gestured to a tall black woman who was sitting in a folding chair beside the sound equipment. "Mark's still a little sore about that."
The performance was.interesting to say the least. Maureen made up in enthusiasm what she lacked in talent, and she was obviously so passionate about what she was doing that no one dared snicker or laugh, at least, not where she could see them.
"I've got to get out of here!" she screamed suddenly, causing me to jump slightly. I tugged on Roger's jacket. "Is she always like this?" I whispered in his ear.
He shook his head. "This is a special occasion," he whispered back. "Usually she's a lot worse than this."
I bit my lip to keep from giggling and returned my attention to the protest.
"Then, a little bulldog entered," Maureen continued. "His name, we have learned, was Benny, and although he once had principles, he abandoned them to live as a lapdog to a wealthy daughter of the revolution." There was more after that, including an uncanny impression that would have had me screaming in laughter if I hadn't been so nervous.
Benny was *here*? Why? What on earth for? I hadn't seen him since our breakup three months ago, and I didn't particularly want to see him now. Or for him to see me either, for that matter. I hugged my knees to my chest and tried to hide behind Roger as much as I could.
The performance ended with a bang, as Maureen led the crowd of spectators in a chorus of mooing. I felt a bit awkward at first, but there was something about Maureen's enthusiasm that was contagious. Besides, the louder I mooed, the more Roger blushed.
He really was adorable when he was embarrassed.
We all went as a group down to the Life Café. Mark got stopped by the waiter, but Roger and I were allowed to go ahead and sit down. He pulled a chair out for me, but I had to take off my coat myself. Still, half was better than none.
"Mimi, honey, hi!" Angel greeted me, sitting down in a nearby chair. "What are you doing here?"
I gestured to Roger, who was apparently absorbed in a spot on the table. "Roger invited me."
Angel gave him an approving glance. "He's cute."
"Angel!" I laughed. "I see you've got someone too."
"I most certainly do." She tapped her partner's shoulder. "Honey, this is my friend Mimi. Mimi, this is Tom Collins."
"Hi, Mimi." He had a firm handshake and a nice voice. "It's nice to meet you."
I chatted with them for the next few minutes. Roger was ignoring me anyhow, and Collins was a very nice guy. It turned out he'd been roommates with Mark, Roger, Benny, and Maureen. Did everyone here know each other already?
Then I saw him, sitting at a nearby table and talking with a man I figured to be his father-in-law. I'd been in the middle of recounting something funny Angel had said last week, and I stopped mid-sentence as I stared helplessly over at Benny, who thankfully, hadn't spotted me yet.
Angel patted my hand. "Mimi, what's wrong?"
"Benny's here," I whispered. "What's Benny doing here?"
She gave my arm an understanding squeeze. "It looks like he's got a lot on his mind," she suggested hopefully. "Maybe he won't notice you're here."
I risked a glance back over at him. Now he and Maureen had gotten into a bit of a spat and were hurling insults toward each other. I allowed myself to relax a little. Maybe Angel was right after all.
Then I heard Benny's voice say my name, and immediately tensed up again. "Mimi, I'm surprised," he said sadly, shaking his head in disbelief. "A bright and charming girl like you hangs out with these slackers--" he broke away and glared at Mark and Roger. Mark smiled innocently back at him. Roger sent a fierce glare in Benny's direction. Fortunately, for me, anyhow, the conversation quickly shifted toward unpaid rent and broken deals. Maybe I could make it through this after all.
Dinner was so-so. The food was great, like it always was, but Roger all but ignored me. About halfway through, everyone started getting a little frisky. Maureen mooned Benny and Mr. Grey, much to the delight of everyone at our table. Angel and I leapt up onto the table and performed a little salute to leather and dildos. Mark gleefully orchestrated an impromptu tribute to Bohemia.
I was just getting into it when I felt someone pull me aside. "Your new boyfriend doesn't know about us?"
Shit. He'd seen that I was with Roger. Although how he could have deduced that, when Roger had barely spoken two words to me since we arrived, I had no idea. I was feeling hurt, and angry, and that made me more defensive with Benny than I really should have been. "There's nothing to know."
His grip on my arm tightened. "Don't you think that we should discuss--"
I pulled away. "It was three months ago!"
Benny glanced over at Roger, who was busy plucking out notes on his electric guitar. "He doesn't act like he's with you."
Did he have to remind me of that? Benny usually wasn't the type to kick someone when they were down, but he was obviously upset at me or at Roger or at both of us.
"We're taking it slow," I informed him, hoping to convince myself as well.
Benny raised an eyebrow, and it was obvious he didn't believe me. "Where is he now?"
I sighed. "He's right--" But he wasn't. Roger had disappeared in the last thirty seconds, and now I had no idea where to find him. "Hey, where'd he go?"
I spun around and walked away from Benny at that point, feeling a tiny glow of satisfaction. The only one of the whole night, so far. Then I saw Roger, in the middle of the party again, playing a rather fucked up version of Musetta's Waltz. At least he hadn't ditched me altogether, I thought, although I could get little comfort from that.
I went to confront him as soon as he finished. "Did I do something wrong?" I demanded. "First you invite me, then you ignore me?"
"I've been trying!" he protested. "No one's perfect. I've got baggage."
Oh, please. Whatever it was, it couldn't possibly be worse than mine. "Life's too short, Roger," I informed him. "I'm looking for baggage that goes with mine."
"I should tell you," he muttered to himself. Did he ever listen to a word I said?
"I've got baggage too!" I repeated, louder this time. He'd have to be either deaf or flat out ignoring me not to hear it that time.
A shrill series of beeps interrupted me, and I quickly turned my beeper. "AZT break," I announced, fishing the bottle of pills out of my coat pocket. Someone passed me a bottle of water and I took a swig, gulping down two of the little capsules.
Roger was staring at me when I looked back at him. His eyes had so many questions, but all he could do was point at my pill bottle. "You?"
I nodded slowly. "Me. You?"
"Mimi." His voice was softer than I'd heard it all evening. "I didn't know, and I thought that you didn't know, and we--"
I put a finger to his lips. "Now we know," I said softly. "It's okay now."
Roger took my hands in his. I was surprised at how warm they were. "Mimi, I'm scared," he whispered. "It's been so long that I don't know how to do this anymore."
I squeezed his hands tightly. "I'm scared too," I admitted. "But I think what we might have here is worth the risk."
"So do I." We stood in silence for a few moments, staring into each others eyes. A few more flakes of snow drifted down. I could almost hear our hearts beating, in rhythm and equally terrified. It was Roger who broke the spell, bringing one hand to my face and stroking my cheek gently. "You want to get out of here?"
I nodded. He put his arm around me and we started back up Avenue B. When we reached our apartment building, I fumbled for my keys, but Roger stopped me. "I have a better idea," he told me, grabbing my hand and leading me over to the fire escape. He had to jump a few times, but finally succeeded in catching the bottom rung and pulling it down.
We climbed up the stairs until we reached the top, right next to his apartment. Down the street at the café, the party was still going on. The snow was falling a bit heavier now, and the park had all but turned white. "It's beautiful," I whispered.
Roger smiled and pulled me to him. Everything was forgotten as I felt his arms go about me, and his lips come down on mine.