Most of these characters are not mine, but Jonathon Larson's. I don't own RENT, which also belongs to Jonathon Larson. Sorry about the delay, my father dragged me off to Maine for eight days, and when I came back my internet was down. Hope you enjoy!
With finals coming up in a month, Marie and Angie stepped up the studying. The stress levels were high, and Lorana didn't enjoy Marie's quick going temper. Lorana found herself spending more and more time hanging out at the loft, or at Maureen and Joanne's.
Mark spent a lot of his time helping Marie, though sometimes he proved to be more of a distraction.
"I can't wait for college to be over,"
"You only have a month left," Mark reassured her.
"What are we going to do for mine and Angie's graduation?"
"You and Angie should discuss that."
"Angie's not here right now. You are, so I wanna discuss that with you."
Their discussion included a lot of kissing, as well as some other intimacy. Marie ended the discussion, "Shit, you got me off topic again." Marie resumed her studying, and Mark decided to film it. "Get that damn camera off me."
"May 4th, 1993 10:00 am Eastern Standard Time. Graduation of Marie and Angie."
The ceremony was very long and very boring. The after party was very entertaining. The party games proved to be a hit. The most exciting thing, though, was when Angie announced that she had already accepted a job offer to teach English at a local high school.
At the party's conclusion Marie left with Mark for a little extra celebrating. Lorana returned to home alone, and sat quietly in the darkness. Eventually, she drifted into a sleepy world.
Around 3am Marie slid into their apartment, and upon finding her sleeping roommate, chuckled at the thought of tickling her. She shoved the thought out of her head, and went to go find a blanket to cover Lorana.
"If anyone asks, I'm out job hunting."
"I thought you already had a job Lorana."
"Only if you consider waiting what they call food to impatient and impolite bottom feeders, a job."
"Someone's PMSing," Roger said entering with Mark and Mimi.
"How the hell did he get a key?" Lorana rounded on Marie.
"I gave a copy to Mark. You Okayed it."
"Right, well I'm off for the hunt."
"Enjoy yourself."
"I'd hate to know what it's like at Maureen and Joanne's during their time of the month," Roger said.
"A complete nightmare."
"That's right, you lived with them for two weeks when we were fighting. Did I tell you how sorry I am?"
"I don't remember, it doesn't matter now anyway." The couple kissed passionately.
"So got a new job?" Marie asked later that day.
"I wish."
"It's okay, I'm sure you'll find one. I invited everyone over for dinner, is that okay?"
"What do you want me to cook?"
"Thank you! Can you make your homemade pizza?"
"Yeah, is there anything you want from the store?"
"No, but you might want to pick up something alcoholic."
"Right. I'll be back in a bit."
"Bye!" Once she saw Lorana outside, she called their friends. They arrived shortly, "Okay, I gotta be quick. Tomorrow is Lorana's 24th birthday, I was thinking of throwing her a surprise party, so no one say anything to her." She stared hard at Maureen and Roger.
"Okay what are gift ideas?" Joanne asked.
"I'm not sure, but she seriously needs a new mattress. If we all chip in, I think we can afford one."
"Good idea, well Maureen and I can put in 1,000 dollars. What, lawyers make good money," she said receiving awkward stares.
"Roger and I can add 500," Mimi said.
"I can only add 250."
"It's alright Mark, we only have 250 as well," Angie said, cuddling with Collins.
"And I have 250 to add," Marie said.
"So we've got 2,250 dollars."
"Shh, everybody, she's coming. Pretend that we never said a thing," Marie warned.
"Damn it, shit. Marie could you open the door?"
Marie smiled; she opened the door and assisted Lorana with the grocery bags.
"Hi everyone," Lorana said as she walked by on the way to the kitchen. "Dinner will be ready in about an hour," Lorana shouted from the kitchen.
"Hope everyone likes pizza," Marie said to the group.
"Yeah, but doesn't she want help?"
"Um, Mimi, she's making her special pizza, that means for the next hour no one's allowed in the kitchen."
"Is she really that paranoid?"
"Yes, Joanne, I am," the shout had come though the kitchen door.
The group laughed at the outburst.
"Oh my god," Maureen said an hour later, "this is the best pizza I've ever tasted."
"Thank you and the recipe is coming with me to the grave."
"Lorana," Roger said between mouthfuls," will you make me one, just for me?"
"Only if you pay for the ingredients."
Roger grumbled incoherently under his breath. Everyone loaded up on pizza, the record holder was Roger himself with a total of six pieces. Lorana ate only one.
"Aren't you going to eat anymore?" asked Joanne in a motherly fashion.
"I had a late lunch, no."
Marie sighed, hoping her friend wasn't drifting into her old habits.
A knock on the door startled everyone but Lorana, who in fact seemed to have been expecting it. She got up, and slipped right outside the door.
"Who could that be, I thought everyone was here," Angie questioned.
"Everybody, um, this is Jake," Lorana said stepping back inside, "he's my boyfriend."
Marie's mouth dropped, "When did you start dating?"
"Last month-ish. We met shortly before Sam beat me."
Mimi smiled. She had been told a week after Lorana had started dating, and was thrilled to finally meet Lorana's mystery man.
"You've been going out that long, and I'm just now finding out about it!"
"Yes, Jake, you can come in further than the doorway." Jake was a tall man, with dark blondish brown hair. He wore a simplistic t-shirt with a pair of jeans. He stepped in line with Lorana and planted a kiss on her cheek. He then waved to the group.
Mark was the first to speck. "Welcome to the group," he said breaking the awkward silence.
"Thanks," Jake said. Informal introductions were made, and all the girls could tell why Lorana would date Jake. Aside from his looks, he had a fun, outgoing personality that matched Lorana's. Jake sat in the vacant armchair, and once comfortable, Lorana sat on his lap.
An hour later, all but Jake and Mark returned to their respective homes. Jake followed Lorana into her room, "Night," Lorana said closing the door.
"Well two guesses at what they're gonna do," Marie said.
"Happy Birthday," Jake said the next morning when they awoke.
"Thanks."
"So how does it feel to be 24?"
"Same as 23 pretty much. What do you want for breakfast?"
"I'm cooking, pancakes okay?"
"Sounds good to me, one problem,"
"And what would that be?"
"You don't cook."
"That's what you think."
"Alright, you go cook," Lorana said somewhat sarcastically, "and I'm gonna shower."
Jake headed for the kitchen, and Lorana went into the bathroom.
Marie exited her room rubbing her eyes. It was clear she had just woken up. "So, any clue what Lorana wants for her birthday?" asked Jake.
"Nope, but you could always add cash into our collection to buy her a new mattress."
"So it wasn't just me, how much do you all have?"
"2,250 dollars, she's not within earshot right?"
"No, in the shower. I can add 400. When are you getting this gift?"
"This afternoon, but keep it quiet, we're throwing her a surprise party."
"Okay, well here's the 400. I'll keep her distracted from you guys."
"Thanks, I think I'll let her keep you."
"I'm glad you approve. Does she like anything with her pancakes?"
"She used to love chocolate chips."
"Thanks, I owe you one."
"Call it even, you're distracting her remember?" Marie said. She smirked as she returned to her room.
Shortly after the shower water was turned off. After she had dressed, Lorana came and hugged Jake from behind, her hair still dripping.
"Perfect timing," Jake said as he handed her a plate with pancakes on it.
"Oh, and you even added chocolate chips. I love you so much."
"I love you too." Jake kissed her before getting himself some pancakes. "You want to go someplace special for your birthday?"
"Sure, how 'bout the little restaurant where we met?"
"Sounds good, and after we could go shopping."
"You hate shopping; besides, I've got job hunting to do."
"You can't do that on your birthday."
"Do I smell pancakes?" questioned Marie as she remerged from her room, putting on a very good act.
"Morning Marie. Yes, that scent is in fact pancakes," Lorana said.
"Do I get any?" Marie asked, stifling what could have very well been a fake yawn.
"Only if there's any left," Jake said.
"Mark, come on, time to wake-up," Marie grumbled.
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, now up!"
Mark climbed reluctantly out of bed to get dressed. After kissing Marie he asked, "Lorana here?"
"No, Jake offered to be a distraction. I think he took her out to lunch. I've already called the others, we're to meet in about 35 minutes to buy Lorana's gift."
"Alright," Mark said. He kissed Marie once more, "Shall we then?"
"Yeah, I suppose we should."
They walked hand in hand to the small mattress store 15 minutes away.
When the rest of the group joined them, Marie informed, "Jake added 400 dollars, and is currently out somewhere distracting Lorana. Our total is 2,650 dollars to spend on this."
They looked for about an hour before they decided on one. Joanne assisted further by adding another 250 dollars. "Benny's contribution," she explained. After paying, they arranged for the mattress to be delivered around 5:30 that evening.
They all returned with Marie to her shared apartment, where they snacked and helped decorate. "This is going to be so great," Angie exclaimed. Streamers had been hung from the ceiling, and were twisted around lamp stands. The floor had piles of balloons scattered about it.
Shortly after 5, Marie looked out the window to see Jake and Lorana entering the building. "Shh, be quiet," she warned, "they're coming."
She turned off the lights and hid. Soon enough, Lorana could be heard sliding her key into the lock.
The door opened, "SURPRISE!"
"HOLY SHIT, are you all trying to kill me?" At the outburst, Lorana had jumped. Slowly she allowed a smile to creep onto her face. "Thanks guys, but did you really need to scare me half to death?"
"Only way to be sure it would be a surprise."
"You knew," Lorana wheeled around to face Jake.
"Yes, and Marie, do you have any idea how hard it was to keep her away from this place?"
"Hey man, you volunteered. And yeah, I do know. Happy Birthday Lorana." Marie went and gave here friend a hug.
Around 5:40 the mattress was delivered.
"How in the world did you pay for this?"
"We all chipped in," Marie answered.
"Thank you, I needed a new one."
"I know what you mean," Jake said. Lorana scowled at him, and he kissed her as if apologizing.
An hour later the party moved to the Life where they had dinner. No alcoholic drinks were ordered; as that was the condition the manager had allowed them to stay.
11:30 rolled around, and the manager decided they had stayed long enough.
The group dispersed, heading home. Jake and Lorana followed Marie cuddling against the rain.
"Damn it, Lorana you have your key right?"
"As always. How did you manage before I moved in?"
"Had one hidden in the mailbox thing."
"I'll make a copy and put it there."
"Thanks." They were now only a level away from their home. "Jake you staying the night again?"
"No, he's leaving at 12:30, he works starting at one."
"Aha."
"Goodnight Marie." Lorana said it with such finality that Marie had to comply.
Okay, so that's chapter six. I had no intention of it being so long, but I got carried away. I'll try and update chapter seven soon, but I make no promises.