Life Support
By Akari Van Halen
Chapter 2: Our Night Together
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
A/N: Though this is rated PG-13, no slash is present in this chapter (I just can't do that, man!).
We all met up and headed to the Life Café. We were all having fun. After introducing Angel to everyone else (Mark and Roger already met her), we met a new friend of Roger's. Her name was Mimi. She seemed nice. We were all talking when Benny showed up. He just can't stop gloating sometimes. This brought me back to when we were roommates—Maureen, Mark, him, Roger, and I. Back when he wasn't a suck-up to some rich girl.
A while later, Maureen's girlfriend, Joanne, came in (or, due to what she then said upon coming in, ex-girlfriend). She told us that a riot had started at the lot. Benny had been gone for several minutes, so I knew something was up. I was right; it turned out that he had padlocked the door of Mark and Roger's building. After Angel paid the bill, we all left for the riot. Apparently, someone had called the cops. We all, however, knew who it was. It was Benny, of course. Our once best friend had now become our enemy. I could see that Angel didn't want to stay too long, so I took her hand, said goodbye to the guys, and we left. She let me take her to my apartment. We watched TV for a while. I had noticed that she had already fallen asleep, so I did not want to wake her. I placed some covers over her and I started to head towards my bedroom. However, she did wake up, but I didn't notice until I turned to close my door.
"Do you want me to take you home?" I asked her. She shook her head no. We sat down on my bed. We were silent for a moment.
"You don't wanna...now, do you?" I asked her.
"We shouldn't do it; besides, I'm too tired," she replied. "Maybe we could rest here."
"No problem with me, I said. Angel took off her coat and shoes and then lied down next to me. I got up to go to the bathroom to change, then lied down again.
"So..." I started to say.
"Yes?" she asked, turning to me.
"Oh, nothing—"
"No," she interrupted. "Tell me. What's on your mind?"
"How long have you been a...not that I'm trying to offend you," I said, sitting up.
"About six years," Angel replied, "about as long as I came out. And don't worry. You didn't offend me."
"When did you find that you were?
"I was about 18. I had a roommate, we liked the same things, and it evolved into a relationship. But then he gave me HIV, and we went our separate ways."
"I was 21. I used to be hetero, but I found that I should play for the same team."
"My parents weren't what you called happy with my decision. Especially my father. He kicked me out before my graduation. I thought that he was more scared than angry. I think he's homophobic."
"I was very distant from mine. I still am."
"Me too," I said, lying back down. "From mine, I mean. Um... what's your favorite music genre?" I then asked, trying to ease the tension.
"I'd say...R&B or soft rock. But I hate rap."
"Me too. C could be the prefix to the word, 'rap'," I said.
Angel laughed. "I get it! Crap!"
We laughed. She picks up things rather quick...
"Well...goodnight, Angel," I said.
"Goodnight."
I turned off my lamp and discreetly watched as Angel closed her eyes. I squeezed my eyes shut. I wish she wasn't HIV positive. I wish I wasn't. I sighed sadly and drifted off to sleep.
