Don't own RENT. Enjoy!
Bitter tears ran down Mary Jane's cheeks as she wandered aimlessly through Central Park, hugging her eleven-year-old body to keep herself warm in the cool, fall air.
"I hate them, I hate them all!" she muttered to herself, "They're so mean to me!"
With a short, exasperated sigh, Mary Jane plopped down on a bench and glared at the ground.
"You know," a voice said, "If you glare at it hard enough, you may just put a hole in the pavement."
Mary Jane looked up and saw a familiar face. "I…I know you," she mused aloud, "I remember you, but from where?"
"Well," the man said, sitting down next to the eleven-year-old, "If I remember correctly, about four years ago, a Miss Mary Jane Cecelia Parker got lost in Central Park and decided that being fifteen was old enough to live without parents."
Mary Jane smiled weakly. "Hello Mark," she said, causing the man to grin, "I suppose you've found an apartment by now, seeing as you don't have a suitcase with you anymore."
Mark shrugged. "I guess you could say that," he said, "I'm paying for a year at Brown, so I can at least try and get a job. I couldn't afford a dorm room, but I'm hiding out in one of the rooms."
"How are you managing that?" Mary Jane asked.
"I met this nice guy there, Benny. He only has one roommate, and they're hiding me in the closet. The other guy is a prick, but Benny is cool." Mark answered, plopping down on the bench.
"A prick?"
"Oh, that just means he's not so nice."
Mary Jane scowled. "I know a lot of pricks, then." She said bitterly.
Mark put a hand on her shoulder. "Things going okay at home? At school?"
"My parents moved me from private school to public school," the girl replied, "I thought it would be fun, but everyone thinks I'm better then they are, which isn't true! They all ignore me and make fun of me when they think I can't hear."
Mark gently rubbed Mary Jane's back. "Things will work out for the best," he comforted, "Just show them who you are. They'll warm up to you. Mary Jane, do you know why people show hatred towards others?"
Mary Jane shook her head. "Why?"
Mark smiled slightly. "Because they're afraid. By nature, people are afraid of what they don't know. These kids just don't know you yet. It's only the beginning of the school year; there's plenty of time to make friends."
A small smile split Mary Jane's lips. "That makes sense," she said, "Thanks Mark."
"No problem," he replied, "And if you ever want to talk, I'll be here. And if not, just tape a note to the bottom of the bench, okay?"
Mary Jane nodded. "Okay. But now I better get back to school. Bye!"