Kelby--Your reviews always make me smile. I promise I'll do my best to review your stories more often, because I enjoy how you write for Mark and Roger.
Kate--Where on earth is the next chapter of Still Hurting? I'm seriously in love with that story, and it's very cruel to deprive everyone like this. ;)
Liss--Your liking this means a lot. I always enjoy your stories, and it's always a thrill when a talented writer likes what you've done.
Maureen--Thanks for your comments. It's a great feeling to know that people are enjoying this.
Becca--You need to write more Scrabble. And Bananas. *nods* And your M/R, hell, just work on everything. Go. Write. :P
Lola--Why are you reading this? You've already read this! You need to go write, then you can read. Go, you evil ficbitch. ;)
Thanks, everyone, for reviewing. Here's the next chapter. Hope it doesn't disappoint.
She slept next to me in my bed that night. There was nothing sexual about it--just two good friends holding each other until we fell asleep. Twice more, she woke up crying. I would hold her close, and stroke her hair, and whisper words of comfort until she fell back into a troubled slumber.
The other side of the bed was empty the next morning. At first I panicked, then I told myself that she'd probably gone back to the couch, and tried not to be hurt by that. When I got to the living room, I saw the blanket in a heap on the sofa, where it had been last night. There was no sign of Mimi.
I was just beginning to seriously worry when I caught the scent of burnt bread. Following it into the kitchen led me to discover Mimi standing by the counter, frantically fanning smoke away from the toaster.
"You're up early," I remarked, grabbing a stack of papers and giving her a hand.
Mimi looked at me apologetically. "I thought I'd surprise you with breakfast for once. I'm afraid I'm not much of a chef."
"I appreciate the thought," I assured her, putting my arm around her and giving her a little squeeze around the shoulders. To my joy, she didn't pull away. "All I really need is orange juice."
"Orange juice I can do," she replied, giving me one of those stunning smiles of hers. I had to lean against the counter to keep my knees from buckling. "At least, I'm assuming I can. Knowing me, it'll probably burst into flames or something."
"If it does, you just put the glass in the sink and I'll run water over it," I laughed. "Although it would be fun to see the expression on Benny's face when we told him the apartment burned down due to an orange juice fire."
She burst out laughing. "Stop it! You're making me spill!"
"Now there's a thought," I commented. I dipped my fingers into the glass, and flicked a few drops of juice at her. "I'll bet you'd look gorgeous covered in orange juice."
"Hey!" she yelled, flinging the carton at me. A stream of juice flew out into the air. Some landed on the floor, and splashed onto my bare feet. Some more splattered onto the counter. And a good deal hit me straight in the face, soaking the front of my head and plastering my hair to my forehead.
"Oh, God, Mark," Mimi managed to choke out before the giggles overtook her. "I'm sorry"
"You're not sorry!" I whined. "If you were sorry, you wouldn't laugh!"
"But you look so funny!" she exclaimed, then doubled over from a renewed fit of giggles.
I folded my arms and pouted while she laughed for what seemed like forever. I loved the sound of her laugh, and she looked rather ridiculous herself, holding onto the counter for support. It was all I could do to keep a stern expression when she finally finished.
"Oh, Mark," she sighed. "I'm sorry I laughed, but you do look so silly!"
I stuck my lower lip out as far as I could. "First you attack me, then you laugh at me! You're mean!"
"Oh, here, you big baby," she sighed, grabbing a washcloth from the sink. "Let me help you clean up."
She dabbed at my face with the washcloth, laughing again when she said the juice had turned my hair orange. "Honestly, Mark, you should really see yourself."
"Now I'll smell like orange juice all day!" I complained.
"There are worse things you could smell like," she pointed out, tossing the washcloth back toward the sink. "Like Benny's cologne, for instance."
"You've noticed too?" I laughed. "Maybe we should talk to him about it."
She was staring at me intently, and didn't reply. I touched her shoulder. "Mimi?"
"Oh. Sorry." She shook her head. "I just noticed I missed a drop, that's all." And before I knew it, she had brought her lips to my face and brushed them against the corner of my mouth.
"Wow," I croaked. "That's one way to get rid of it."
We stared at each other. Then she moved toward me, and I moved toward her, and the next thing I knew our arms were around each other and our lips pressed together.
When we broke apart, she gave me a small, sweet smile and started for the door. "I have to work early today," she explained, glancing over her shoulder at me.
What had just happened? I scrambled to collect my thoughts. "Uh, Mimi"
She turned back to look at me, her eyes solemn and unblinking.
"About what happenedI hope that didn't ruin anythingI mean, are you okay, I mean" Why was I such a babbling idiot? If nothing was wrong, it would be soon, and if something was wrong, I certainly wasn't making any better.
Mimi held up a hand. "Mark, it's fine. Really." She smiled, and I felt a little better. "I just have to go to work now."
"All right," I agreed. "See you tonight?"
"Without a doubt." She blew me a kiss, and slipped out the door.
After about fifteen minutes went by, the apartment became too small for me. I didn't know where I was going or what I was doing, but if I stayed in there a moment longer, I'd never make it. I hopped on the subway and took it uptown, where I spent the day filming sleepy streets on the West Side, and ducks in Central Park. I bought a hot dog, and fed most of the bun to the sparrows who would eat pieces right out of my hand. I debated taking a carriage ride around the park, but decided it would look too pathetic if I did it by myself.
When I got back to the apartment, the sun was down, and the streets were faintly lit by the last glows of twilight. Mimi still wasn't back yet.
I waited up for her, watching sitcoms, late night talk shows, and finally infomercials on TV. The hours slowly ticked by, with no sign of her. Somewhere between the amazing abtronic belt, and the Torso Track, I dozed off.
When I woke up, the first rays of sunlight were streaming through the windows. I glanced at my watch. Five fifteen. I got up and went to the bathroom, returning just in time to see Benny's door creak open, and a small figure emerge into the living room. Just then I sneezed. Mimi jumped guiltily, and her eyes met mine.
"Mark," she whispered frantically. "I can explain"
"Mimi, I'm getting lonely," Benny's voice rang out from his room. His words hit me in the stomach, and I felt like I was going to throw up.
"Mark, please," Mimi begged. "Can we talk about this?"
I was surprised at how even my voice was. "Mimi, there's nothing to talk about. We're friends. You're with Benny. I think it's great." My camera was lying on the sofa, where I had set it down last night. I snatched it up and tucked it under my arm. "I'm going out for awhile. I'll be back later."
"Mark" I turned to look at her. "I should tell you" I stared at her. She faltered mid-sentence. "Never mind."
I managed a smile, feeling as if my face were about to crack any minute. "I'll see you later."
I stepped out of the apartment and closed the door behind me, a little harder than necessary.