A/N: Sorry Chapter 1 was so short, promise longer ones to come!
I woke up in a daze. For a few blissful seconds I had forgotten about Mimi and the hospital and my crumbling life. But, reality took it's toll and my mind began replaying the night before.
The hospital room. Mimi lying so lifeless, the others giving me the last minutes of her life alone with her. She told me never to forget her. She made me promise to never forget the night at the cafe.
I promised her. I hugged her until her body went limp in my arms. We all knew it was coming. She was more sick than the rest of us; and a hell of a lot weaker. But it still hurt to know she was gone.
Realizing where I was my eyes widened. Mark's bedroom? I was lying on his cheap bed, the springs making shrilling noises if I so much as moved a toe. Why was I in Mark's room? And how'd I get there?
As if on cue, in stepped the skinny Jew, coffee cup in hand. I started to stand up, but then my whole body went into overdrive. I felt extremely dizzy.
"Sit down. You need the rest," Mark said, walking over. He handed me the cup, the side of his mouth turning upward. "Made it extra strong, just the way you like it."
"Mark," I took a sip. "How'd I get here? The last thing I remember is being at the hospital, with Collins."
I felt the bed sink as Mark joined me. "You don't remember? You cried yourself to sleep at that place. Collins and I managed to get you home. With some diffuculty I might add. You need to lose some weight, or next time we're waking your ass up."
I tried to laugh, but it came out more as a empty sigh. "Where's Collins now?"
"He had to go take care of the funeral arrangements, but he'll be back soon."
I slammed my fist into Mark's mattress before I could stop myself. Anger began to run through me like hot fire. I was ashamed of acting the way I had. Mimi would have wanted me to be the one to stand strong. "I should be the one doing that," I whispered through tight lips. I couldn't believe I was so beside myself that I couldnt even help plan my love's funeral service.
"Why don't you go take a shower. It'll calm your nerves," Mark suggested, standing up and snatching the coffee sup from my hands. He had been put in this situations too many times before. Me, helpless; him, always to the rescue with whatever I needed. I felt like dirt sticking him there once more and didnt complain when he walked away.
As I was gathering things for my shower, I tried to remember Collins and Mark walking through the streets of New York, carrying me like a child. The thought brought a smile to my lips. Although it still didn't explain why I was in Mark's bed and not my own.
The rest of the day went by faster than I'd imagined. Collins came back to the loft, bringing JoAnn along with him. Both were cautious of what they said to me. I suppose they were forewarned by my rommate on my bad mood. I didn't say much to either of them. When they first arrived I thought I was going to be realived by familar faces, but instead it just made me remember we'd never have the original group together again.
After a few hours and several games of cards JoAnn and Collins left the two of us alone. JoAnn kissed my cheek and told me to call her for anything. Collins hugged me tight and wished me well. I thought of Angel once again. I bet she was thrilled to have Mimi there with her. Both would be singing and having a blast.
"No!" I screamed to myself. If I started thinking of Mimi again, the tears would come back. From then on I had to forget about her face, her beautiful smile, the way she sang to me. It all had to be buried with her. Just like April.
Mark closed the loft door and stared at me. I knew he wanted to say something, but couldn't find the strength or courage to do so. Instead he grabbed his infamous scarf, wrapped it around his skinny white neck, and walked out.