1Well... this fic definitely got a lot of mail... I'm happy because I wasn't going to post this.
You'll be happy... I'm taking a break on the speedrent entries and working on my own free-time fics more... because after awhile those kill you! And I hate staying up all night thinking, "Holy shit... I messed up that entry... I could have done this... I could have done that..." so I'm back to this. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own RENT, David Bowie, Frank N. Futer, ect, ect...
Rock n' Roll Life
By Donna
Chapter Two: You're My Best Friend (Queen)
"So, because you're Mister Drummer Boy you're thinking of giving up drag?" Mimi asked as she thumbed through some studded belts. "But... but you're Angel! You're not allowed to!"
"Mimi, this is the best thing to happen to me... I'm not going to lose it just because I wear a dress."
By now, Mimi and Angel were pretty well-known at the neighborhood Hot Topic. They were also the most chatty employees in the whole store. For whatever reason, the manager took a liking to htem and they let them have the same shifts. Angel always made a point to not dress in drag, but by now, everyone knew. This left their discussions nothing to be shocked about.
"You're in a band?" asked Solana, the manager, "Awesome!"
"Yeah," Angel said, fixing some shirts.
"What's their name?"
"Subatomic Treehuggers."
"No way! I thought it was just ironic when they posted about having a new drummer named Angel! I didn't know it was you! Wow!"
"Now I don't know if I should tell them about the drag bit," Angel mumbled.
"It shouldn't be an issue!" Mimi argued. She dropped some Tim Burton merchandise. "Shit. Look, Angel, you're... you! They like you a lot! Don't try and be something that isn't... er... you!"
"I agree," Solana added, "And they seem like a bunch of nice guys. That Mark is flaming anyway. I say show up in practice in drag, and say, 'Take me or leave me!'"
"Okay," Angel said, grabbing his jacket. "Not today. I gotta go right after work for practice. It's fucking freezing in here..." He noticed that it had the upside-down pink triangle1 on it and gulped. "Ahh... no! If I show up with this on..."
Mimi groaned. She handed him a Clash patch and safety pins. "This is going to damage your psyche and then what? They'll have a drummer in the nuthouse. Trust me, it's worse than having a drag queen for a drummer."
"Oh, just shut up!" Angel snapped, pinning on The Clash over his very small use of pride.
---------------------------------------------------
Roger and Mark were tuning up when Angel came in. Roger looked up, smiling. "Hey, Angie. Come on!"
Angel pulled his drumsticks from his back pocket. "I'm sorry... I came from work and..."
"No worries," Mark said, grinning, "Just breathe!"
Angel nodded, sitting at the set.
Roger began to chat. "So... I was walkin' around with Collins yesterday and we had a rabid fangirl attack!"
"No way!" Mark exclaimed, alguhing.
"They were all, 'Oh-em-gee! Treehuggers!' and shit... they love me."
Angel rolled on the snare.
"You need to chill with us, Ang!" Roger added, "We need some bonding... and you're single, right?"
"Yeah," Angel mumbled.
"We need to get you out there! And we seriously need to know a little about you!"
"There's not much to say," Angel mumbled.
"Sure there is!" Roger yelled, "Everyone has something! Like, what's your favorite band?"
"Oh... uhm... there's a lot... Queen... The Doors... Green Day... Fall Out Boy... I like David Bowie... he's not really a band... T. Rex... I love glam..."
"They're awesome!" Mark added, "All of them. You're into classic rock?"
"Yeah. I work at a Hot Topic and there's a lot of that scenester stuff... and I'm not really big on it. That's why I like you guys. You use a lot of old sound... but your approach makes it modern."
"Can we get discounts?" Mark joked.
Angel laughed. "I can see what I can do."
"See? Now we know that you're into glam and you work at Hot Topic! Now we can rock out!" Roger yelled, shaking his head and laughing. "Come on!"
They worked on some older songs and then played with Roger's newest song. After two rather fast hours, Roger's girlfriend, April, came in. April was a pretty girl, red hair, pale skin, but it was also obvious that she was flirting with drugs. Her eyes were red and her arms had tracks. On the other hand, she was generous, holding a tray of coffee for everyone. She screamed over the loud music, "Hey! Break!"
She passe the coffee to Mark and Roger, and then to Angel. "I don't know how you like your coffee, but I got some half n' half and sugar. Here ya go."
Angel took it, smiling. "Thank you so much, April!" He popped off the top, blew at the coffee, and took a gulp.
"Sorry I couldn't meet up with you to celebrate the new drummer," April added, "I had some stuff to do."
Mark rolled his eyes.
April ignored Mark. "You're a real cute guy. Your name is Angel, right?"
"Yeah," Angel said, sipping his coffee.
April walked to Roger and kissed him. "Hi, baby."
Angel shook his head. There was a crooked neon sign over his head, flashing, "LOSER, SINGLE, QUEER" repetitively.
Mark sat on the ground next to Angel, milking his coffee. "What's a matter? You look sad."
"Don't worry about it, Mark," Angel mumbled.
"What is it?" Mark asked.
"Just... life. It's not really... fair."
"Oh, hell no. It's not. What's currently pissing you off about it?"
Angel sighed. "You're going to find it childish. But I'm single."
"Aw... you don't need to worry about that!" Mark said, laughing. He slapped Angel's shoulder. "You're a great guy! You're sweet and you've got those really big eyes... girls are turned on by that. They'll come."
"Mark, I haven't had a real date since I was a sophomore. Just... fucks. It's not fun anymore. I want a relationship."
"Everyone does, Ang. I don't know why anyone wouldn't give you a chance! Unless you into, like, bondage and stuff... you know, if you are, I know some chicks into that stuff you'd like."
"No! It's not that!" Angel squealed, rubbing his face.
"Then what's wrong?"
Angel shook his head. "It's complicated, Mark... you wouldn't understand..."
"I got it!"
"...What?"
"You have a short wang! That's it! You're afraid they'll run away! Well, let me tell you, if you say that you're in a band..."
Angel's eyes bulged. "No! Mark! Not everyone likes..." Angel stopped himself. Just tell him, Ang. He'll find out eventually. Angel gulped and said, "I'm gay."
Mark gasped. "Are you serious! I didn't know! Oh God! I'm so sorry I said all that! Ah! I didn't know!"
"Seriously?"
"No! I had no idea! I'm cool with it."
"Seriously?" Angel smiled.
"Seriously. My girlfriend, Maureen, she's in theater, and she hangs out with gay guys all the time, and I do, too. You didn't need to make it some big secret! Hell, maybe I can hel p you meet some people! Come here!"
Mark pulled him into a big hug. "When are you going to pass this by Roger?"
"I dunno," Angel mumbled, leaning his chin on Mark's shoulder. "I figured I'd tell him eventually... I mean... I don't know..."
"I understand that you're a little scared. Roger is quite manly-looking. But I think he'll be fine. Don't worry, if he does do something unexpected, I'll protect ya."
Angel pulled away from Mark and rubbed his eyes. "Thank you so much, Mark!"
"Hey, loverboys!" Roger yelled, "April and I are leaving! See ya!"
Mark groaned. "Let's go do something else. Can we go to your place?"
Angel paled. "M-my place?"
"Yeah! What's wrong?"
"Well... it's..."
"Angel, don't worry!" Mark patted his shoulder, "If you have any rainbow flags or drag films lying around, I'm not going to blow up!"
Angel laughed nervously. "Alright." So much for keeping his lifestyle a secret.
Angel drove them both to his apartment. "I have a roommate," Angel said, "Mimi. Don't mind her."
"You don't live with your parents?" Mark asked.
"Me? No. They kicked me out after I graduated," Angel mumbled, "They hated my guts. I'm the oldest, so I was the one they tested on and failed... so they just devote time to my little sister."
"Oh... poor guy. Well, this place looks nice. You did good."
"Thanks. I have to admit, I wish they kicked me out sooner."
Mark laughed as they walked up the staircase to Angel's apartment. "My mom was pissed when I moved out and said I was going to be in a band. So she calls me, like, everyday. She can be your replacement mom."
Angel giggled. "I'd like that, Mark. Thanks."
They walked inside. Mark smiled. "I like this place." It had glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to purple walls, sparkling lamps, images of Frank N. Futer, David Bowie, and reproductions of Andy Warhol paintings hanging everywhere, and platform boots turned into flowerpots on the coffeetable.
"Thanks," Angel said, hanging up his jacket. He unpinned The Clash patch and threw it on the coffeetable. Mark smirked.
Mimi walked in wearing only a big shirt. "Hello?"
"Hi, Mimi! This is Mark, my bandmate. Mark, this is my roommate, Mimi!"
Mark shook her hand. "Hi, Mimi."
Mimi looked at Angel and then back to Mark. "Uhm... you know... we're not doing each other, for the record."
"I know that," Mark said, "You're pretty and all, but I do believe you are a girl."
"Yep," Mimi said, giggling, "I love her, but not enough to do something like that."
Mark took a double-take at Angel. "Her?"
Mimi cringed, then grinned evilly. "Silly me! I slipped!" She pushed Angel into the bathroom, yelling, "Angel! Care to explain?"
Angel stumbled in, screaming, "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" and shutting the door.
"Uhm... what's going on?" Mark asked.
"You'll see," Mimi said.
Mark crossed his arms, smirking. This was getting more and more interesting. He leaned to the door and said, "Angie... if you don't want to..."
"No! It's okay! You should know!" Angel choked.
"Just... you know... I'm not going to hurt you or nothing..."
"I know that."
After a few minutes, the door opened. Angel closed his eyes...
Mark took a look. Angel was wearing a short, pinstriped dress with pinstripes and a black, bobbed wig. His eyelids were smothered in charcoal and Mark laughed. He was a she. "That's it?"
Angel nodded, her eyes still shut. "Yeah. I... I like to wear dresses."
Mark cracked up. "That's all? I thought you had a real issue, like mutilation or something! This is okay. You actually look good as a girl. And more comfortable for sure."
Angel looked up, opening her eyes. "Really?"
"Yeah! You were going to hide this just to get into the band?"
"Yeah."
"Why? You're a great drummer! Rockers aren't homophobes."
Angel shrugged.
Mimi snapped, "I told you."
"I got an idea," Mark said, "We're scheduling a photoshoot next week. Come as you are. Roger will get it."
Angel nodded. "Thank you so much, Mark..." She gave him a big hug and sighed. She never felt so relieved.
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1-Am I the only one who noticed this? I was watching RENT on my computer and on Angel's black jacket is that little sign. I smirked. I didn't make the connection until I went to get dressed for gym and said, "HEY! THAT'S ON ANGEL'S JACKET!" when I saw the sign on the door.
Songlist Thus far:
"Changes" by David Bowie
"You're My Best Friend" by Queen
Next Track...
"Come as You Are" by Nirvana
Please review!