Note: Laurel Ducky, sorry for the mazel tov mix up, I meant no harm and I could have sworn I looked that up. Guess not, sorry bout that. I don't own RENT, nor do I own the Sarah McLachlan song that I use in the fic and for the title. Hopefully you guys don't mind I use so many songs…I'm a music junkie. (chews on chocolate innocently)
The sun was starting to set when Collins whisked Angel away from the rest of the group. Mimi and Lori were doing their best to console Maureen who was still holding onto her friends. Joanne, on the other hand, went home by herself as soon as they reached her car. The girl didn't want to even talk to Maureen. When Collins ran after her she called back it him, "It's over." Roger and Mark watched their girlfriends hoping to gauge their own feelings as well as Maureen's. The red head was a barrel of tears and emotions, which scared the group. With their last break up Maureen had been clueless and distant about the whole experience. Somehow the truth now hit her. As much as Angel wanted to stay, Mimi gave Collins a nudge.
"You shouldn't have to deal with this today. The two of you go. We're all gonna head out soon anyway." Mimi whispered to him. And Collins followed her advice. He peeled Angel from Maureen's side and drove off.
Angel sighed deeply in the car, "I feel so horrible. Maureen's so upset."
"Yeah I know." Collins said quietly wondering if their romantic evening would be completely ruined, "But you know…there is something to celebrate."
"Is there? I'm Prom Queen of course. Which I still love…but…what else?" Angel asked not grasping what was going on.
Collins pulled into the playground, "Think a bit. What day is it?"
"The day after Prom?" Angel giggled getting out of the car happy that they were back at the playground. There was something to celebrate that was for sure, but she couldn't place it, "I don't know…is it Camus' birthday or something? Are you going to read me some depressing philosophical books?"
Collins let out a laugh heading for the trunk of his car, "I don't know when his birthday is but that day I will have to read you some of his stuff." Angel came around to help him carry out the picnic basket.
"You really have to start reading happy stuff, honey." Angel kissed his cheek, "Like Dr. Seuss or something. Except that morbid ones about nuclear weapons. That one you can skip." She said taking the blanket and uncovering a painting. It was the painting that Collins bought in New York. Angel dropped the basket on the ground her eyes attached to the painting. Shaking, she reached out and took it in her hands getting a better look. Her fingertips gently graced the canvas stopping at the signature in the far right corner. It read, A. Schnard. In the middle of all of the color strokes were two figures holding hands.
Collins slowly closed the lid of his trunk. It wasn't how he wanted her see it for the first time…but it didn't matter. Her eyes filled with tears and her lower lip trembled, "My daddy? My daddy did this…"
Collins came to her putting his arm around her shoulders, "I think he did. Happy Anniversary, baby." He kissed her temple gently.
"Anniversary?" Angel asked the tears falling from her eyes, "Oh Collins I forgot!"
Collins chuckled lightly kissing her, "It's ok, I just remembered this morning…but I was holding on to this…I didn't know when I was going to give it to you though."
Angel sniffed and looked back at the painting shaking her head, "It's beautiful. Did you…you got this in New York didn't you? You said it was for your parents anniversary!"
"Well, since their marriage is kinda down the tubes, I figured…anyway I don't know if this is my mom's style." Collins teased which resulted in Angel poking him in the belly.
"You liar…" Angel breathed in and out a few times gathering her thoughts. She put down the painting carefully and pulled Collins into a hug. Kisses were exchanged, but innocent ones. It was the playground after all. Not that that had stopped them before.
Collins kissed her forehead and took her hand, "C'mon girl I made us some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Stole it from Mark's mom." He grabbed the basket with his other hand.
"How sweet of you." Angel smirked picking up the painting and following Collins.
"Hey. You steal lavender from my neighbor every time you come to see my mother." Collins pointed out. Angel simply winked at him. Collins smiled at her as he spread a blanket out on the ground, "Is your daddy gonna have dinner with us?"
Angel nodded sitting down and carefully putting the painting by them, "So we better stay clean…or else my daddy might have a thing or two to say."
Collins groaned taking a seat, "But, baby, it's our anniversary."
Angel giggled and leaned over to kiss him, "Maybe later."
"You know…" Collins raised his eyebrows trying to look sexy, "I never got to have my way with the prom queen." Angel gasped dramatically and threw a twig at Collins.
"My father is sitting right here!" She pointed to the painting.
Collins let out a hearty laugh, "Sorry Mr. Schunard, I can't help it your kid is so damn gorgeous." Angel shook her head leaning towards him.
"You're very lucky I love you." She kissed him hard, her hands cradling the back of his head. Collins let out a moan and nodded when they parted.
"I'm the luckiest man on earth." He mumbled letting his lips move down to Angel's neck. She smiled deeply closing her eyes. With a thought she opened her eyes to cover her father's painting. But she paused and pulled herself away from Collins' lips. Collins opened his eyes to see Angel's frightened face.
"What's wrong?" He asked concerned. Angel pointed behind him. Collins looked back to see six boys approaching. He recognized them immediately, they were his old teammates. Sid led them a deep smirk on his face. Tommy Boil, their kicker, was cracking his knuckles his eyes glued on Angel. The rest of the boys were Collins', they followed his guidance on the field now they seemed less than interested in his words.
Collins stood up and helped Angel up as well.
"Guys…" Collins said, "What are you doing here?" His mind was moving a thousand miles a moment. Instinctively, he stepped in front of Angel his arm holding her back.
Sid's smirk grew and said, "Payback…that prom thing…the last straw." He went into his pocket and pulled out a switchblade. Angel gasped digging her fingernail's into Collins' shoulder.
"Angel…run." Collins whispered as the boys started to walk closer to them.
Angel shook her head, "I-I can't leave you…"
"Run!" Collins repeated before he threw himself at Sid.
Hold on
Hold on to yourself
For this is gonna hurt like hell
Hold on
Hold on to yourself
You know that only time will tell
What is it in me that refuses to believe
This isn't easier than the real thing
Sybil stood by the window a cup of tea in her hands watching the sun finally set into the horizon. Somehow her bustling house was quiet, most of the little children already in bed. The quietness of the night was something she learned to appreciate. Peter came from behind her and kissed her cheek. His wife smiled. It really was a beautiful sunset.
My love you know that you're my best friend
You know I'd do anything for you
My love let nothing come between us
My love for you is strong and true
Mimi slipped off her earrings, her body dancing to the music in her head. She smiled glancing back at her dress which she had draped carefully over her bed. Mimi spun herself around imagining herself as Cinderella in her mint gown and Roger was there to find her slipper. They would dance into the night, but at midnight she would turn back into a maid's daughter. And much to everyone's surprise Roger wouldn't mind, he would continue to dance with her. Bare feet and all.
Am I in heaven here or
Am I
At the crossroads
I am standing
Maureen sat in her living room in the darkness mouthing the words to an old movie. They always offered her comfort. The vixens of the old cinema. Those ladies weren't afraid to say what was on their minds. They said it. Their lovers didn't tie them down, they were always free. They would have their way. Maureen wiped the tears off her face. It was what she wanted, wasn't it?
So now you're sleeping peaceful
I lie awake and pray
That you'll be strong tomorrow
And we'll see another day and we will
Praise it
And love the light that brings a smile
Across your face
Lori smiled gently looking at the pictures that she had developed from the Prom. She had never been so eager to get pictures in her hands. Everyone looked so happy in them, so loving. Mark's friends completely welcomed her into the group. She felt loved there. And more importantly, she felt loved by Mark. He treated her like someone special. Lori stopped at a picture of Maureen and Joanne holding each other tightly on the dance floor. She bit her lip hoping that somehow it would all work out in the end.
Oh God if you're out there won't you hear me
I know that we've never talked before
Oh God the man I love is leaving
Will you take him when he comes to your door
Collins' mother flipped the television channels and paused on COPS. It was always her husband's favorite program. She watched it for a moment, but tired of the brutality from both sides, she moved on wondering if life was anything but brutal. There was no moments of softness in her life. Nor moments of true love. But the older woman smiled to herself as a vase of lavender came into her vision. Her son wouldn't live like that. He was only eighteen and he was desperately in love. Yes, her son would have tenderness in his life.
Am I in heaven here or
Am I
At the crossroads
I am standing
Joanne was attempting to write an essay in complete darkness of her room. Only the light from the monitor shone through. She mumbled the words to herself but they seemed just that. Words. There was no flow, no passion behind them. They were simply pieces of a sentence without anything holding them together. She stared at the last word she typed. Loss. Her words were still there…but there was no reason.
Now you're sleeping peaceful
I lie awake and pray
That you'll be strong tomorrow
And we'll see another day and we will
Praise it
And love the light that brings a smile
Mark was reviewing his latest footage. The few frames that he was able to record on the way down to the amusement park. Footage of Angel rubbing Collins' knee as he drove. Of Lori blushing and trying to hide her face from the camera. Of Maureen showing off her tongue piercing to the camera. Of the other car speeding past their own, Mimi flipping them off and laughing. Mark smiled to himself, this would be his best film yet. Because it would be about the people he loved.
Now you're sleeping peaceful
I lie awake and pray
That you'll be strong tomorrow
And we'll see another day and we will
Praise it
And love the light that brings a smile
Across your face
Roger sat on his bed slowly strumming his guitar. For some reason no melodies were getting into his head. Not even Musetta's Waltz was easy to retrieve from his memory. His fingers fumbled and his mind wandered. With a sigh he put down his guitar and went to wash his face. As Roger left the room he stopped at the doorframe and looked back into his room. He could have sworn he heard something. Heard a voice. In a few moments he identified it as nothing but the wind.
Hold on
Hold on to yourself
For this is gonna hurt like hell
The sound of screaming and cries were quiet in the far distance. Tommy Boil walked away rubbing his knuckles. A smirk came to his face when he saw a painting on the ground. The fag gave it to his girlfriend. Tommy raised his leg and stamped on the painting with all of his strength. The canvas snapped in half.
Post Note: Next Chapter: Mark gets a phone call.