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DISCLAIMER: I don't own RENT or any of it's characters.
"Damnit!" Cory yelled as she fell to the cold concrete. Some guy had
just bumped into her, knocking her over and making her drop her groceries. The milk fell, spilling over the sidewalk pouring over the newspaper she bought, and breaking every single one of her eggs. She rubbed her ankle—it hurt like hell.
"Is that the only word you know?" A cute blond guy dressed in plaid stared down at her. He was the one who just knocked her down.
"Excuse me?" She asked confusingly. The guy knelt down beside her.
"You don't remember me?"
"Um . . . did I hit my head too?" He laughed but didn't take his eyes off of her.
"No. We met—er bumped into each other yesterday.
"Oh! The coffee guy!" Now she remembered him.
"Yeah," he smiled again and extended his hand. "Name's Dave."
Cory looked down at it. "Cory," she said stiffly, "I would shake your hand but you nearly gave me third degree burn yesterday."
"Sorry about that, " he said still smiling.
"And now, my ankle's probably sprained."
"I'm sorry."
"And—" Just then, Cory realized how ridiculous she probably looked." I'm being an ass aren't I?"
"Yes," Dave said surprising her, "but a very cute ass."
"Well, in that case, do you think you could help this cute ass off of this sidewalk? Cause, I don't think I can walk on this ankle."
"Sure." Dave helped Cory up and walked her back in the store, leaving the mess of egg and milk on the sidewalk. He led her to a table in ths tore near the coffee machine. "Let me buy you some coffee."
"That would be amazing of you. Thanks." Cory said. " I haven't had coffee in two whole days—our power went out."
"That sucks."
"Yeah. Crap! My milk and eggs! Mark's gonna be pissed!" Dave sat down across from her and handed her her coffee.
"Who's Mark? Your boyfriend." Cory almost laughed out loud. She was tempted to say yes just for the heck of it. She wasn't ever going to see this guy again.
"No." She said plainly.
"Your brother?"
"Practically. He's my roommate."
"Roommate?"
"Yeah. I share and apartment with him and Roger."
"Oh . . . Roger's your boyfriend!" This time, Cory did laugh out loud.
"Hell no! He's one of my oldest friends. He's like a brother too."
"So, do you have one?"
"A brother?"
"A boyfriend."
"Oh. No. Seriously, I need some eggs!"
"Don't worry about those, I'll get you some more. It was my fault. You shouldn't have to pay for them again." Cory smiled at that. It obvious Dave didn't know her at all, considering Cory never paid for things.
"Thanks."
"So. No boyfriend. That mean you're free for tonight?" Cory smiled. It was nice to have someone look at her like that—well, someone besides Danny.
"Depends. Are you asking me out?"
"Maybe. Will you?" Dave looked at Cory with such a sweet, gentle gaze. He was extremely cute. She thought for a moment about her and Mark and their relationship. What relationship?
"Sure."
"Great! There's this protest thing tonight that I was gonna go to. Would you want to come with me?"
"A protest?"
"Yeah. This crazy woman always holds them . . . but it's always for good causes." This sounded familiar.
"Is it at 'The Space'?"
"Yeah. How did you know?"
"Me and my friends own that building."
"Really?" Dave looked seriously interested.
"Yeah. Maureen is that crazy woman you were talking about."
"Really? Tell me about your friends." Cory preceded to tell Dave all about her friends. She told him of the story of Christmas Eve almost three years ago. She told him about April, Roger's ex girlfriend. She explained how and when Angel died. She told him about Mimi and Roger, about her family problems, her and Mark's relationship, leaving out the part that she loved him. By the time she and Dave had gotten to her relationship with Ray, she realized what time it was.
"Damnit!" Cory shouted, as she gathered her coat, bag, and groceries that Dave had replaced for her.
"What?" He said, laughing.
"I was supposed to be home forever ago! Mark's probably getting worried about me! We were supposed to have breakfast and—"
"You want me to walk you home?" Dave cut in. Cory looked up at him and smiled.
"No. It's okay. I'll make it. But I'll see you tonight!" She got up and began walking hurriedly out the door, her ankle still a little sore.
"Okay. Bye Cory." She turned around and smiled at him.
"Bye Dave."
It had been almost four hours and Mark was past being worried three hours ago. Where was she? He wanted to go looking for her, but was afraid he'd miss her if she came back and he wasn't there. It was then that Mark realized he didn't know what he'd do if something ever happened to Cory. They'd known each other for years, and been best friends ever since. She was there for him when Maureen broke his heart, and he was there for her when Ray broke her heart.
As much as Mark cared for his best friend, she still pissed him off like crazy. Like now. He's worried about her, but as soon as he sees her again, he'll be so angry. Right then, Mark heard a tap on the window and saw Cory's face pressed up to the glass. He opened the window for her and she climbed in. Mark had all the intention of yelling at her, but he noticed one thing. She was limping.
"Oh my god! Cory what's wrong? Are you okay? Sit down! Were you attacked? Is that why you're late? You're freezing!" He led her to the couch and covered her with a blanket. So much for being mad at her.
"I'm fine Mark. I'm fine. Here. Here are the eggs and milk."
"What took you so long?"
"I kinda—ran into some one. Literally. He crushed my eggs, spilled my milk, twisted my ankle, bought me coffee, and asked me out." The last one struck a nerve in Mark.
"What?"
"Yeah. His name's Dave and—"
"So you've been gone for over three hours, talking and flirting with some guy down the street when I've been here worried about you?" He wasn't sure why, but he was really pissed.
"Mark. Oh my god. I knew you'd be pissed. I'm sorry. Hey. At least I'm alright!" Mark turned around and looked at her, smiling like nothing was wrong.
"Fine. Whatever. But I'm starving."
"Here. Here are your fucking eggs," Cory said still pissed off at Mark. She had just told him some guy wanted to go out with her, and he ignored it. In true Mark fashion, he didn't even realize that she was pissed at him.
"Thanks."
"Im surprised you didn't go out looking for me," Cory said sarcastically.
"I thought about it." Cory rolled her eyes and got off the couch as Mark preceded to make "breakfast".
"Where are you going?" He asked her.
"I'm going to take a shower. Gotta get ready for Dave."
"Dave?" Mark said turning around, "who's Dave?" This just made Cory even more angry, but she just turned around and said,
"never mind Mark. You can meet him tonight."