AN- Here's chapter 22, I really hope you guys are enjoying this story, it's been taking up a lot of my free time. I might not update much until this weekend- my school play is on Friday and gasp I have one of the lead roles, so it kind of monopolizes my time. R&R!
Joanne woke up flat on her face, lying on her bed. Maureen slept soundly next to her. Joanne carefully sat up, being sure not to wake up Maureen. She looked at the alarm clock and rubbed her eyes. The makeup from the previous night came off on her hand.
"Ugh…" She mumbled. "1:30 in the afternoon…damn that was one hell of a night."
Maureen stirred and rolled over, hogging the bed. Joanne sighed loudly and pushed Maureen over.
"What the fuck?" She groaned. "I was sleepin' Pookie…"
"Maureen…it's nearly 2 in the afternoon." Joanne said getting up off the bed.
"I'm going back to sleep." Maureen rolled back over and grabbed a blanket.
"I have to go to my parent's house. I'll be late." Joanne said walking into the bathroom. Maureen's response was more of a grunt than a word.
MEANWHILE
Jesse and Collins sat on the window sill, waiting for Mark, and possibly Gwen, to show up with breakfast (or lunch rather). It was a really nice day, a tad chilly, but that was expected for late September. The sun shone brightly, it made Collins squint when he looked outside.
"Honey, have you ever wondered if me met by fate?" Jesse asked randomly.
"Hum?" Collins looked at Jesse.
"Fate. You know…if we were destined to meet. Angel never introduced us…yet we still came across each other, and I don't even live in New York…" Jesse shifted to a more comfortable position.
"Never thought of that…" Collins said softly. "It makes a lot of sense though…maybe Angel knew that we would meet one day…maybe that's why he never introduced us."
Jesse shrugged. "Well, I told you before, that he had a shitty home life…that might be another reason why we never met."
Collins nodded and looked outside again. "Hey! Mark's back…is he…limping?" Collins asked, looking at Jesse awkwardly.
A couple of minutes later the heavy door swung open and Gwen walked in, closely followed by Mark. Mark was walking funny, kind of a limping shuffle. Gwen was grinning broadly as she put the bag of bagels on a table. Mark slowly lowered himself into a chair and let out a sigh. Even though he looked like his walk was terribly pained, he still had a big grin on his face.
Jesse and Collins looked at each other, and then to Mark and Gwen. Then it hit him, Collins' jaw dropped and he couldn't help but laugh. Jesse caught the idea and began laughing too. Mark and Gwen looked at each other, both bashing.
"So…" Collins said in mid-laugh. "What'd you two do last night?" A loud snort escaped him.
Gwen let a giggle escape. "We just went to my apartment!" She said folding her arms.
"Have fun Mark?" Jesse asked, grinning.
"Uh yeah…it was very…educational." Mark said winking at Gwen, who giggled louder.
Collins shook his head. "Educational?" He asked, knowing what Mark and Gwen did, but wanting to embarrass them. "How so?"
"Yeah! Enlighten us." Jesse cut in.
"Uh…" Mark stuttered.
"Anyone want a bagel? We have cream cheese!" Gwen exclaimed, changing the subject.
"I do!" Mark said getting out of the chair and shuffling over to the table. He stuffed a large piece of bagel into his mouth.
Everyone took a bagel and ate silently, trying to avoid one another's gaze, or grin for that matter. Mark's usually pale face had a deep crimson hue to it. Gwen nibbled at her bagel, occasionally flipping her hair and looking at Mark. Jesse and Collins ate their bagels, catching each other's gaze and laughing ever so often.
Once everyone had their fill of bagels, Gwen volunteered to bring the last couple down to Mimi and Roger. She sashayed out of the apartment and shut the door behind her. She walked down the stairs and stopped at Mimi's apartment. She knocked loudly. Footsteps were heard coming towards the door. It opened a crack, Mimi's huge brown eyes were seen before the door swung open.
"Hi Gwen!" She said grinning. "What can I do for you?" Roger looked over towards the door, when he saw Gwen, he quickly looked away.
"Uh…just came to bring you guys some bagels." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "What's up with Roger? Does he not like me or something?"
"He hasn't gotten used to Mark's sexuality yet. Don't worry though, why don't you go talk to him…I'll go up and see everyone now." Mimi said softly.
Before she walked out, Gwen stopped her. "Oh Mimi…do me a favor…don't ask Mark why he's walking weird." Gwen said grinning.
Mimi laughed loudly. "Oh god…oh…just…wow." She shook her head. "I won't…" Mimi laughed again as she walked up the stairs to Mark, Collins and Roger's apartment.
Gwen poked her head into Mimi's apartment. Roger was sitting on the couch, pretending not to notice her. "Uh…Roger? I know you aren't really like the Mark being gay thing…" She said walking in. "But I really think we should talk…you know…man to man…"
Roger looked up and laughed. It was hard to see Gwen as a man when she was decked out in drag. "Yeah…ok…man to man." He said sarcastically.
