Note: So this took longer then expected cause well..I started to type the chapter up and I realized I hated it. So I completely re-did it…about a line survived the original cut. As always I don't own RENT, Lori, or the song "Gorecki" by Lamb. Enjoy!
"No way!" Collins laughed into the telephone his feet up on the coffee table, "You finally got your nerve, Cohen, I'm proud."
"Yeah well, I really like Lori. I was just scared that she wouldn't wanna go out with me." Mark said over the phone.
Collins leaned over to take his socks off, "How couldn't she? Those glasses and scarf ooze of sex appeal." The socks were tossed into the air and fell randomly onto the floor. It would be an understatement to say that Collins was enjoying the house to himself. Even though his parents went on numerous business trips, his aunt or his uncle would come to stay with him. This was his first time completely alone. For breakfast he had butter pecan ice cream and a bag of popcorn. He didn't change out of his pajamas until four PM when he put on a pair of jeans and a long sleeve plaid shirt, which he left unbuttoned. His chest exposed to the world. Yes, he was having fun.
Mark snorted, his breathe filling the receiver, "Oh yeah the girls just fall over me. And anyway Mimi asked Roger out."
Collins let out a laugh grabbing a bag of Doritos as his dinner, "I see Mimi isn't so patient….How do you think he's gonna do dating again?"
There was silence on the line for a moment, both teens thinking. Roger was much better since April's death, but would he be able to move on once and for all?
"I think…he'll be ok. As long as they take it slow. Cause Roger's been head over heels for her since that day they met. I swear that day, the two of you…" Mark grumbled in remembrance.
Collins frowned crunching on the Doritos, "Whatca mean?"
"Collins, you and Roger were all googly eyed. Really, between Angel and Mimi." Mark explained sounding a bit exasperated.
The chomping stopped as Collins smiled, "Yeah well…love at first sight I guess."
"Something like that sure." Mark paused as he listened to Collins chew loudly into the phone, "What the hell are you eating? Potato chips?"
"Doritos, my man. The other food group." Collins said dropping a chip into his mouth.
"I really hope your stomach takes it well. Have you eaten anything normal today?" Mark asked his friend.
"Does old pizza count?" Collins asked referring to his lunch. Of course he added M&Ms to it but Mark didn't have to know about that. The kid worried way too much.
Mark sighed once again, "I hope you have plenty of stomach medicines."
"It's a steal trap, Markie. Nothing it can't handle." Collins replied staring down into the almost empty bag.
"Yeah sure, Col. Keep tellin' yourself that…Cindy I'm on the phone! No you can't call Derek I'm on the phone! No it's not my girlfriend."
"Aw, Mark, I'm heartbroken." Collins chuckled.
"Sorry…wait no Cindy!" There was static on the other line, presumably Cindy was trying to steal the phone from Mark, "Let go!" Mark's muffled voice said.
"Mark. I'll talk to you tomorrow at the café with the crew. I don't want you breaking something." Collins yelled into the phone hoping he could hear him.
"Yeah. Sounds good." Mark said just as muffled as before, "See ya tomorrow." The phone clicked off. Collins turned off his own phone and dropped it beside him going closing up the Doritos bag. He wiped his hands on his jeans and grabbed a book he had earlier left. Small orange cheese particles rubbed onto off-white pages anyway but Collins didn't seem to mind too much.
As he was about to turn the page a knock came at the door. Collins smiled deeply recognizing the bouncy knock, and he could hear Angel talking to herself in Spanish. He jumped up from the sofa and opened the door.
"Hi there handsome." Angel said holding out a plate of cookies to Collins with one hand and adjusted her backpack on her shoulder with the other hand. Her boyfriend noticed that she looked particularly gorgeous today. She was wearing a simple pink tank top with hearts embroidered on the shoulder, which showed off those nice muscles that she had. She was also wearing a short red skirt that had heart shaped beads dangling from the end, with ruby red tights on her long legs. Collins cleared his throat trying to concentrate on the cookies.
"Well hello…baker. You brought me cookies?" Collins asked looking down at the plate she was carrying covered in cookies of all varieties, "Are you trying to rub in the fact that your cookies are prettier then my cake last night?"
Angel kissed his cheek and walked in the house. "Nothing could be prettier then your cake. And I'm here to check on you. Make sure you're ok with the…"
"You can say the D word Angel I won't start blubbering again." Collins mumbled pushing the door closed.
"You were not blubbering." Angel said quietly putting the cookie plate next to the Doritos. "You were upset, sweetie. That's completely normal." She took a seat on the couch soon to be joined by Collins who pulled her into his arms.
"Yeah I know. That's what Mark said too…before he told me about his love life." Collins said eager to switch the topic of the conversation.
Angel bit her lip for a moment and then relented, "Yeah I heard. Him and Lori. They're sweet the two of them. Mimi and Roger, too."
Collins nodded staring out into space, "She'll be good for him."
"Yes she will be…" Angel whispered looking up at Collins. Sensing his discomfort she kissed him gently. Automatically he relaxed tightening his hold on Angel resting his head on her's, "Did your mom leave already?" Angel asked closing her eyes.
"Uh huh. Left before I woke up this morning. But she did leave a heartfelt note which read, "Have a good week, love Mom". Almost as good as her previous writings such as "put out garbage" and "dishes are clean". Future American classics, I suspect." Collins mumbled. When he was bothered sarcasm was one of his favorite defense mechanisms.
"See I knew you weren't ok." Angel said to him quietly.
"Well…I've been trying to ignore it all day. Not accepting reality…which just makes me feel like crap." Collins sighed, "It's not too be big of a shock that I'm not to fond of my parents. My mom 's getting better lately but she still cuts herself off. I mean…we haven't even talked about it. Only when you were there, that was it…and that was more like a telling then a conversation. Even with the divorce I don't think she's gonna change much…would your parents adopt me?"
Angel smiled lightly kissing the side of his chin, "In a heartbeat. They like you for some odd reason."
Collins chuckled, "I keep the ninjas busy." Angel nodded snuggling closer to him.
"Ain't that the truth. Some brother's they are. Taking up all of the time I should be spending with you." Angel's fingertips graced the skin above Collins' heart writing silent words.
"Is that why you came to visit me this time? You want me all to yourself." Collins asked shivering at the feel of her fingers on his bare skin.
Angel grinned, "One reason. The other," She left his chest reluctantly to reach into her backpack and pull out a letter. "I got a letter from the New York School of Fashion." She gave him the letter and rested her head on his shoulder, "Read it to me."
Collins opened the letter smiling, "Dear Miss Schunard…." He paused raising his eyebrow.
Angel waited for his words to come and said sweetly, "Yes continue."
"Uh baby…" Collins glanced down at her, "I'm all for calling you a she and all that but…don't you think that might become an issue in the dorm rooms?" Angel waved her arm as if it would be no big deal.
"Ok…good luck to your future roommate." Angel smacked him gently giggling and pointed to the letter. Collins continued, "Dear Miss Schunard: Although your portfolio shows promising work…" Collins paused knowing what was coming next and wanted to spare Angel from it.
She closed her eyes slowly and said quietly, "Read the rest of it."
"Angel-" She shook her head, "…Although your portfolio shows promising work we are only able to accept a certain amount of talented students. Regrettably, we will not be accepting your application for the fall semester. We hope that you understand our predicament. However, we have placed your name on a waiting list. If an opening occurs then you shall be contacted and accepted immediately. The New York School of Fashion wishes you the best in with your future career in our exciting field." Collins folded up the letter and stuffed it back in the envelope.
"Everything happens for a reason right?" Angel whispered without any emotion in her voice, "I suppose I wasn't meant to go to that school. School at all. I'll strike out on my own. Build a business."
Collins nodded trying to support her ideas although he wondered how well Angel could do in the business world. A week ago, she gave almost all of her money to a waiter at a restaurant who was struggling to pay his rent and maintain his painting. And the week before that she gave her newly bedazzled coat to a woman in the park who was shivering. She was just too generous.
"Course I'll still go to New York. Cause I belong there…" She paused struggling to fight back a frown that was threatening to take over her mouth, "But…I thought I belonged at the school…Oh Collins, this was supposed to be a celebratory night. I don't know why but it never crossed my mind I wouldn't get in."
Collins held her as she finally let out her emotions tears running down her face, "Shh...Angel, it's ok. You weren't rejected, you know. Just wait listed…maybe an opening will pop up and you'll get to go."
"But there are plenty of other people who are also waitlisted!" She sobbed her shoulders shaking.
"Oh no Angel…" Collins rubbed her shoulders gently, "You'll find a way you always do. Maybe you could take a semester off and try again."
Angel looked up at him and said, "No offense, love, I don't really want any more options right now…just cuddling."
Collins kissed her forehead, "That I can do." His hands drifting down to her waist where he pulled her closer. Angel hugged him resting her head on his chest completely relaxing against his skin. They lay there together in complete silence listening to the simple breath escaping their lungs and retreating back inside. Angel's tears dried up as all of the turmoil melted through Collins' touch.
"Feel better now?" Collins asked her a few minutes later.
"Uh huh." Angel said nuzzling her head, "Much…how you doing?"
Collins chuckled a bit, "I'm fine…perfect even. I feel safe here. Calm, safe, and…"
Angel closed her eyes smiling, "Yes…"
"Content. For a lifetime." Angel's smile grew and she turned her head to kiss him gently.
"I realized something just now." She whispered to him.
Collins hand went down to Angel's hand interlacing their fingers, "And what would that be?"
"Well…I've been trying to think of a title for you. Like the boys. You know, Mark is the cute one. Roger's the hot one. I never could come up with one for you. Til just now."
"How about the devilishly handsome one?" Collins offered.
Angel giggled shaking her head, "Nope. I'm set on it now."
"What you chose then?" Collins asked quietly.
Angel smiled warmly and leaned up to kiss him slowly, "The one." She said simply.
Overcome, Collins cupped Angels face and kissed her deeply. His whole body feeling dizzy and anxious at the same time. As they parted he murmured, "I know you're the one for me. The one and only…oh no Angel." With his words a few tears formed in her eyes, "The school again?"
Angel shook her head, "No…no these are happy tears." Collins smiled gently kissing the few tears that escaped onto her face. As he was about to pull back from her he found that he just couldn't. His lips centimeters from her skin. Angel turned her head to look at him their eyes closing feeling the heat rising between the two of them. They shared a heavy kiss their tongues escaping the sanctuary of their own mouths to explore the other.
Parting only for the sake of oxygen Collins moved to the side of her face to kiss her upper neck. Angel closed her eyes biting her bottom lip. With one last kiss Collins brought his mouth to her ear and whispered, "Make love to me." They met eyes, Collins looking for Angel's acceptance and Angel looking for Collins' certainty. Both found what they wanted.
Collins gathered Angel up in his arms carrying her up the stairs. Angel pushed Collins' shirt off his shoulders kissing the skin that she exposed. He held back a moan reaching the top of the stairs and moving to his room. Slowly, he lowered Angel onto the bed. She leaned up to cup his face and bring him down to meet her.
If I should die this very moment
I wouldn't fear
For I've never known completeness like being here
Wrapped in the warmth of you
Loving every breath of you
Still my heart this moment
Oh it might burst
Could we stay right here
Til the end of time?
Til the earth stops turning?
Wanna love you til the seas run dry
I've found the one I've waited for
All this time I've loved you
And never known your face
All this time I've missed you
And searched this human race
Here is true peace
Here my heart knows calm
Safe in your soul
Bathed in your sighs
Wanna stay right here
Til the end of time
Til the earth stops turning
Gonna love you til the seas run dry
I've found the one I've waited for
The one I've waited for
All I've known
All I've done
All I've felt
Was leading to this
All I've known
All I've done
All I've felt
Was leading to this
Wanna stay right here
Til the end of time
Til the earth stops turning
Gonna love you til the seas run dry
I've found the one I've waited for
The one I've waited for
The one
Collins ran his fingertips along Angel's bare back disturbing small beads of sweat. She lay in his arms still recovering, her pants becoming more regular. He leaned down and planted a kiss in her natural hair. Lifting her head slowly, Angel beamed at Collins and then kissed his forearm.
"I love you." Angel whispered to him resting her head on his chest and drifting off to sleep.
Collins smiled gently, "I love you, my Angel. Love you." He closed his eyes slowly and dreamed peacefully.
Post: So whatca think? I didn't want to write smut although a quarter of it was already written. I realized that if I continued my T rating wouldn't stand and didn't want to post it separately so I just used the song I was gonna smut around. Te he. Hopefully your minds filled in the blanks. Next Chapter: And now for something completely different! (calls on Monty Python) ok not really. If I keep with my original idea it'll deal more with the other characters instead of Angel and Collins…but it might change so stay tuned. One more chapter til Prom kiddies!