A/N: new chapter is here. Thanks for all the great comments! They really helped! Just so you know, I don't own Rent but I do own Jackie, Mel and Granny so please, hands off!The only way I'll continue is if I get lots of reviews so please do it! Happy readings!
" What?" Mark asked in shock. Jackie's expression changed into fear as she looked at Mark. She quickly wiped her eyes, trying to rid them of the overflowing tears.
" No, no, no! I shouldn't have told you!" Jackie said getting up and clutching her head. Mark got up and put his hand on her shoulder. Jackie stepped away, releasing herself from Mark's grip. " Don't do that!" Jackie said to Mark in an annoyed voice. Jackie continued to clutch her head and shake it fierily. Mark looked at Jackie and let out a deep breath.
" Jackie, just calm down. We can talk about this with everyone else and help you." Mark said in a concerned voice. Jackie stopped shaking her head and looked at Mark.
" No! I don't need anyone! Not you, not Mimi or Collins, and not Roger!" Jackie screamed. She clutched her head again. "Damn this fucking head ache!" Jackie stated. Mark stood still as he watched Jackie. Not only was she in deep depression, she was also going through withdraw. Jackie took her hands off of her head and ran them through her hair, a habit that occurred when Jackie was stressed. Mark let the silence continue for a minute or so before talking again.
" Jackie, lets just sit down and I'll get you a glass of water. Then maybe we can talk…" Mark started but was interrupted by Jackie, who pushed Mark to the ground. Mark yelped at the sudden action that occurred. Jackie looked at Mark one last time before heading towards Roger's room, slamming the door loudly behind her. Mark slowly got up and brushed the dirt of his pants. He adjusted his glasses and sat down on the couch. He knew how to deal with people going through withdraw. Heck, he had to take care of the most violent one of all, Roger. He knew that Jackie needed some time to calm down. So he sat down and continued to mess around with his camera.
It was about 11:00 when Mark heard Jackie coughing violently. He grabbed his camera and quietly crept up to Roger's room. He gently opened the door and started filming. Inside, Jackie was ripping out the feathers out of Roger's pillow.
" Here, we see Jackie Davis going through her withdraw. To ease her cravings, she decided to destroy Roger's pillow." Mark mumbled into the camera. Jackie turned around confused and saw Mark. Her expression changed into anger when she was Mark filming her. She got up from the bed and ran over to the doorway where Mark was filming. Mark lowered his camera from his face in confusion. Jackie then slammed the door in his face, causing Mark to scream in pain. He placed his hand on his fore head; feeling hot, warm blood dripping into his hands. " Shit." Mark mumbled to himself as he went into the kitchen to clean off his wound that the very angry Jackie gave him.
At about 1:10, Roger came walking in the loft with his guitar. He saw Mark reading a book on the couch and walked up to him.
" Sorry I'm late. We just finished another song today." Roger said proudly as he grinned widely. Mark grunted in return. Roger looked at the book that was covering Mark's face. " Mark, why are you reading Moby Dick? You said you hated that book." Roger stated. Mark was silent for a moment before lowering the book and exposing his face.
" I was just looking for the publisher." Mark said stiffly. Roger stared laughed when he saw Mark's forehead. It was swollen and a bright red color that stood out against Mark's pale skin. Mark shot a look of anger at Roger.
" Shut up! Its not my fault my head got slammed by a door!" Mark stated. Roger's face fell at Marks statement.
" How did you get slammed in the face by a door?" Roger asked, even though he was already suspicious of what happened. Mark blushed a red tone that matched his red fore head.
" Never mind, forget I said anything." Mark mumbled. Roger let out a breath of frustration and lowered his head.
" It was Jackie, wasn't it?" Roger asked. Mark didn't respond but instead looked down at the book. Roger knew he was right. Mark never lied to him and when he tried, he would always fail in his attempt. "What mad her so mad that she'd slam the door in your face?" Roger asked. "I mean she doesn't really hurt people besides me." Mark stayed quiet for a moment.
" She's just having a hard time with quitting, that's all." Mark said. He didn't want to tell Roger about Mel, he decided that was Jackie's job. Roger shrugged, satisfied with Marks answer.
" Well, maybe I'll go talk to her." Roger said walking to his bedroom door. He tapped on it lightly with his rough knuckles. " Jackie?" he asked on the other side of the door.
" Go away!" Jackie screamed from the other side.
" Come on Jackie. Can I come in?" Roger asked sympathetically.
" No!" Jackie screamed back.
" Jackie, I'll break down the fucking door if I have to and…" Roger started.
" Maybe you should just leave her by herself." Mark interrupted. Roger gave Mark a look of confusion before running his finger through his hair as he walked into the kitchen. Roger took out the box of granola bars and took one out. " I think I'll go take a quick nap before we go out to lunch." Mark said yawning as he headed towards his bedroom.
" Ok, I'll wake you up in an hour or so when Collins comes home." Roger told Mark. After Roger finished his granola bar and took his AZT, he headed toward the couch, exhausted from his band practice. He flopped down on the dusty couch and let out a deep breath of relief. After about 5 minutes, he started to close his eyes, unable to keep them open for long. Soon enough, Roger was snoring on the couch with his right hand over his eyes to block out the sunlight. The door to Roger's bedroom opened slightly, making a small squeaking sound. Jackie saw her brother snoring peacefully on the couch. She opened the door all the way and headed out to the fire escape, where she climbed down and ran off into the city.
Once Jackie reached Griasburry Avenue, she turned right and ran toward the yellow house with the brown roof. Jackie knew from Mel's description that this was her house. Jackie ran up to the door and knocked on it. Soon enough, an old lady with light gray hair was standing in front of her. She was wearing a light purple dress with lase on the collar and sleeves. She had thick glasses that resembled Mel's and was holding a feather duster.
" Can I help you?" the old women asked. Her voice seemed to crack as she spoke but it had a sweet tone to it. Jackie smiled slightly.
" Is Mel home?" Jackie asked politely. The old women nodded.
" Yes she is. May I ask who are you?" The women asked.
" Oh, sorry. I'm Jackie, Jackie Davis. I'm Mel's friend from school." Jackie answered. The old women's face lit up at the words Jackie said.
" Oh, so your Jackie. My, Mel has told me so much about you! She absolutely adores you!" the women said. Jackie grinned in embarrassment. " I'm Mel's grand mother, Granny. Its so nice to finally meet you." Granny said smiling.
" Likewise." Jackie responded. Granny invited Jackie inside the house and led her to Mel's bedroom. She knocked on the door.
" Mel, someone's here to see you." Granny said, then walked away.
" Come in." Mel screamed from behind the door. Jackie walked in and saw Mel packing a big suitcase full of clothes and other goods. Mel turned around. Her expression changed when she saw Jackie to delight. " Jackie! I'm so glad you're here!" Mel said running into hug Jackie. Jackie laughed as the little frail girl hugged her. Mel stepped away and looked at Jackie. " I was afraid I wasn't going to see you before I left." Mel said. Jackie didn't respond at first, but then answered Mel.
" Well, it's hard to sneak out of the house when you're being guarded." Jackie said grinning. Mel gave Jackie a look of confusion. Jackie then told Mel all about how everyone had to watch her constantly while she was in withdraw. " So then my brother fell asleep and that's when I got out and came here." Jackie said proudly.
" So your brother fell asleep while watching you? Huh, some brother." Mel said grinning. Jackie started to laugh but was cut off by a short coughing spasm. Mel looked at Jackie with wide eyes. "Are you ok? Do you need a glass of water?" Mel asked. Jackie shook her head.
" I'm fine. Forget about me, what about you." Jackie said, finally coming to the subject the both wanted to avoid. Mel's face fell at Jackie's words.
" Well, I'm going to some really good cancer treatment hospital in Arizona. And I might not be back for a year or two." Mel said softly. Jackie looked away trying to hide her sadness. " But I can come back every couple moths for a visit." Mel said trying to lighten up Jackie's mood. " Come on Jackie, wont you talk?" Mel asked through her wide glasses. Jackie continued to stare at the ground, unable to look into Mel's eyes.
" Its just, I'm-I'm going to miss you cause you're the only true friend I ever had." Jackie said sincerely. " I mean I practically walk around with a "do not piss me off or I'll bite you" Sign pinned on my head." Mel laughed and Jackie joined in. When they were done laughing, both of them stood incomplete silence for a moment.
" I'm going to miss you too. But I'll be back with my cancer gone and we can do everything from stealing Mark's camera to eating lunch and the Life Café." Mel said. Jackie looked up and stared into Mel's eyes.
" Promise?" Jackie asked.
" Promise." Mel said smiling. Jackie smiled back, feeling much better. She turned around and looked at the clock next to Mel's bed. It was 2:13. Jackie groaned and looked at Mel.
" Well, I've gotta go. Rogers going to kill me for leaving." Jackie said getting up and shoving her hands into her pockets. Jackie turned around and started to head towards the door. She turned around and before she knew it, she was hugging Mel one last time.
" Bye." Jackie said
"Bye."
"Roger! ROGER!" Collins screamed, shaking Roger. Roger's eyes opened half way as he shot up in alarm.
" Wassamatter?" Roger slurred, still half asleep. Collins rolled his eyes.
" Nothings wrong, you jackass. You and Mark feel asleep and its 2:30." Collins stated. Roger let out a deep breath and rubbed his eyes.
" Sorry, it's just that I kinda dosed off." Roger said yawning.
" Well, lets get Mark and Jackie and go out to eat. I'm hungry." Collins stated. Roger nodded.
" Ok, go see if Jackie awake." Roger said headed towards Marks bedroom. He banged on the door, making a very loud noise. "Wake up Mark! Were going to eat now." Roger screamed. He heard Mark mumble grumpily in return.
" Hey Roger! We have a problem!" Collins screamed from the other bedroom.
"What's the problem?" Roger asked back.
" Jackie's not in here!" Collins screamed. Roger's eyes widened as he ran to his bedroom and sure enough there was no Jackie. Just a shredded pillow and many little feathers laid on the bed. Roger ran out of the bedroom and as he did he saw Jackie climbing in from the fire escape. Roger ran over and hugged her. Jackie looked at him with a confused look. Roger let go of her and stared at Jackie with an angry expression.
" Where the hell were you? I told you not to go out of this loft and you did it anyways." Roger screamed in her face. " The one time I fall asleep you take the chance and run! What the hells wrong with you?" Jackie grinned slightly.
" I just felt like going out for some fresh air, that's all." Jackie said turning her back to her brother and walking towards a very stun Mark and confused Collins.
A/N: So, how'd you like it? Reviews help a lot so please send them. My next couple chapters are going to be pretty good and full of action. So if you want to see the Rest, please review!