AN- Okie dokie, here's chapter 31. I'd like to thank a couple of people for reviewing this story, you guys are so nice and I really appreciate your kindness. MissB8604 you are really enthusiastic about my story, and you're one of the reasons I update so often- I look so forward to reading your reviews. IShouldTellYou you've reviewed a couple of times and I'm guessing you like my story, so thanks! Love.Heals, you're a fairly new fan to my story, so I hope you like the next couple of chapters! L.M.Ward thanks for your reviews as well! Everyone else who has reviewed, you guys are awesome! Thanks for making writing this story so enjoyable! Mucho love to you all.
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The next week or so was very difficult for Mark, Roger, and Jesse. They had to plan Collins' birthday party, but since it was going to be a surprise, they had to be incredibly secretive. Collins didn't suspect a thing.
It was a Thursday night, Jesse and Roger sat at a table at the Life Café. They had invitations to Tom's party spread out on the table. "So how many people do we have now Jesse?"
"Well…there's going to be Mimi, Joanne, Maureen, Gwen, You, Me, Mark, Collins, and all the bohemians here…so I'm thinking around thirty people…does that sound about right?" Jesse asked.
"We should invite Benny…he let's us live rent-free at the loft…" Roger added.
"Benny? Hm…I've never met him…"
"That's because he's an asshole and we don't really talk to each other anymore…" Roger grabbed and invitation and scribbled out Benny's address on it.
"Oh…well…the invitations are done…" Jesse said taping the last envelope shut. "We can hand out the invites to some people now…most of the guests are here right now…"
"Yeah…I'll go do that…you should probably go home and see Tom…you know how he get's when you're gone for a while…" Roger grabbed a stack of invitations. "I'll see you tomorrow…we can plan the menu. If you see Mark, tell him to come by the café."
"I will…see you later Roger…" Jesse walked out of the café, and was nearly knocked over by a frantic looking Mark. "Shit!"
"Jesse? Sorry…" Mark panted.
"Mark? Are you alright?" Jesse said catching his balance.
"Yeah…I'm just stressing over this party…" Mark laughed. "To much shit to do…not enough time to do it, y'know?"
"Oh yeah…well…I don't want to stress you out anymore…but Roger's looking for you inside." Jesse smiled.
Mark sighed. "Well I'll see you later Jesse…" Mark walked into the café.
Jesse watched him for a minute before starting up the sidewalk. It was dark out now, he'd been out for a while and hoped Collins wouldn't be angry. He walked at a brisk pace, so he'd be home as soon as he could. After about fifteen minutes of near-running, Jesse reached the loft. He walked up the stair and went to open the door, but it was locked. He sighed and knocked loudly. He hated to wake up Tom, but he had to get in somehow, and he wasn't about to wait for Mark and Roger to get home.
Footsteps were heard on the other side of the door, followed by the sound of a key unlocking the heavy metal door. The door swung open, and a very tired-looking Collins stared at Jesse. Jesse smiled weakly.
"Hi honey." He said softly, walking inside. Collins was silent, it reminded Jesse of all those times when he'd gotten home after curfew, and was caught by his parents. "Sorry I was out so long…I…had to take care of some business…"
Collins sighed and hugged Jesse, kicking the door shut. "Don't worry about it…I'm just glad you're home. Now get some pajamas on and come to bed." Collins walked to his bedroom and the creaking of his body getting comfortable on the bed was heard.
Jesse padded into the bathroom and took off his shirt and pants, leaving him wearing a tank top and his boxers. He left his pants and shirt on the floor; he was too tired to care about taking care of his mess. He walked back into the bedroom and climbed into the bed, snuggling up next to Tom. He whispered a 'good night' before shutting his eyes, and drifting off into a peaceful sleep.
MEANWHILE
After most of the invitations were passed out at the Life Café, Mark and Roger sat down and had a drink. It was nearly eleven at night, and the café closed at midnight so they couldn't meander for hours like they usually do.
"So what else do we have to plan for his party?" Mark asked; he was obviously exhausted.
Roger shrugged. "We have this place for the whole day on the day of his party…Annette said she would cook all the food…as long as we helped her out…now we just need decorations and people to show up and we have ourselves a party."
"Annette?" Mark asked. "Who's she?"
"Oh…she's the chef here…" Roger said, pointing to a short, bulky, brunette bopping around the kitchen.
"Ah…yeah…" Mark took a sip of his beer. "Do you think Gwen'll be pissed if I come back home after midnight?" Mark asked. "She hate's the fact that I'm always out with you and Jesse…I think she's jealous…"
"Well if you think she'll punish you, just leave…no one is forcing you to stay." Roger said caustically.
Mark frowned. "Well you don't have to be a dickhead about it." He got up and grabbed his jacket. "See ya tomorrow."
Roger grunted and took a swig of his beer. He didn't know why he was such a jerk whenever Mark mentioned Gwen. He wasn't jealous, the only thing he could think of, was the fact that Gwen had HIV, and that simply pissed him off. He shrugged the thought off, and went to get up and leave. A waiter shouted after him. "Hey! Are you going to pay for your drinks!"
Roger turned. "Fuck…" Roger knew why Mark left in such a hurry- he wasn't mad at him, he didn't want to be stuck with the bill. Asshole.
