Disclaimer: I do not own RENT, it all belongs to Jonathan.

A/N: I know I'm not that great at writing stories, but I'm taking a short story class in college next month so I'm hoping that will help me improve. Reviews, flames, whatever you want to say are appreciated as long as it's honest. Thanks!

Chapter 1

January 25th, 1:00 p.m.-Standard Eastern Time

Snow fell softly and slowly on that morning. It touched the concrete but didn't accumulate on the ground. The air was sharp and raw, and it harshly hit the face of an attractive young man in his twenties walking down the street. His dirty blonde hair blew in the wind, and he squinted his green eyes as the cold air rushed at him. Roger Davis walked quickly with his hands in his pockets. He didn't want to be late for his life support meeting. Lately, it seemed that these "gatherings" were all he had left. In a cruel twist of fate, Mimi died a month after the night Maureen and Joanne found her in the park. Her death was quiet and un-dramatic, but painful none the less. Then in March of that year, death came around again and claimed Collins. Maureen, Joanne, and Mark were as supportive as they could be, but Roger felt truly understood at Life Support. He was surprised he lasted this long, he truly believed Collins would outlive him, especially after Mimi's death.

When Roger arrived at the Ryder Community Center, he opened the heavy metal door and brushed the snow off of himself. He had arrived just in time.

"Hello Roger, glad you could make it" said Paul. Then all of the other members said their hellos. Paul and the others always welcomed Roger as if it were his first day. Most of them were new to Life Support. Roger had seen a lot of people come and go. It was a blur of wakes, funerals, sadness, but also sometimes surprisingly peace.

Roger took his place at the circle and Paul was ready to begin.

"Okay, who would like to begin today?" he asked the group.

Roger took a deep breath and went for it. He raised his hand and Paul said "Yes, Roger. How are you feeling today?"

"Not too great" Roger responded.

"And why is that?" Paul asked.

"Well, it's January, the month Mimi died and…" but before he could continue, a loud BANG was heard. A girl had entered the room, and the door had slammed behind her. She looked around seventeen, and had an eyebrow piercing. She was wearing a black skirt and black boots and a leather jacket. She wore too much make up and didn't look too concerned with the interruption she had just caused.

She strutted over to the circle and took a seat. Paul didn't look offended and he asked her pleasantly "Hi what's your name?"

"Crystal" she said shortly.

Her arms were folded over her chest and she looked like she didn't want to be bothered. Roger also noticed her black eye, it looked new. Now that she sat so close to him he noticed her features. She had long black hair and sharp blue eyes and her frame was very thin and petite. Her lips were full and looked dramatic with the purple lipstick she wore. Roger began seeing himself in Crystal. Her standoffish ways, her body language and her demeanor all reflected a young Roger Davis with a "fuck you" to the world attitude.

"Well, Crystal, would you like to talk to us? You don't have to today, it's whenever you're ready" said Paul gently.

"Well, let's see, I'm here, but not because I want to be. I was sent here by the court, they thought I needed "counseling" said Crystal.

"And why were you in court?" asked Paul.

"Me and my ex-boyfriend were caught with coke. It was either this or jail" she said.

"Why are you in Life Support and not in a group for addicts?" asked Paul.

"Because I'm HIV positive" said Crystal.

Roger winced. She's so young damn it, how could this be he thought to himself.

"Well, if I'm not prying, I'd like to know how you contracted the illness" said Paul.

"You are prying and I don't want to say!" said Crystal defiantly.

"Okay" said Paul still with his calm demeanor. "We don't have to go there today."

Other members then spoke, but Roger couldn't stop looking at Crystal. He wanted to know much more about her. He wanted to save her. He wanted to do something right before he died.

A/N: Sorry it's so short, I just wanted to set it up, the other chapters will be longer!