"Mark, hand me the tape, will ya?"
"Why doesn't he want me?"
Roger rolled his eyes as he struggled to hold the streamer up against the wall while a bag of balloons hung from his mouth. The stool he'd hopped up onto was teetering underneath him and the rocker knew if he didn't tape the streamer soon, he'd find himself in an incredibly uncomfortable position.
"I mean, what's so wrong with me? It's my age, isn't it? He thinks I'm too young."
"Mark…"
"But we didn't have this problem at the beginning. Maybe it's not that."
"Maaark…"
"What if he doesn't come to the party?"
"Mark!"
"What?"
Mark spun around just in time to see the stool collapse under the rocker, who jumped onto the couch, knocking his knee against the coffee table. He stifled a giggle, clasping a hand over his mouth.
"Don't laugh," he growled. "Give me the friggen tape. And I swear to God, if you talk about how Collins doesn't want you one more time, I'll tape you to the ceiling. Collins wants you. You want Collins. You had a fight. It'll blow over. Tape!"
Mark sighed, tossing the roll of duct tape towards the rocker as he slunk down onto the couch. "I don't know," he mumbled. "I don't know."
"What do you think of this, Ang?"
Maureen held up a black tank top splattered in white polka dots, pressing it against her torso.
"Oh, that's cute, babe," Angel said, pecking Maureen on the cheek. "What do you think of this?" He held up a white skirt embroidered with pink flowers and shook his hips.
"Very pretty," she giggled, grabbing onto his hips and kissing his lips. "You know, this just makes you all the more sexier."
"What does?"
"This," she said, tugging on his skirt.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," she grinned. "It kind of turns me on."
Angel giggled, holding her closer, sliding his fingers through her dark curls and cradling her head. He leaned in, pressing his lips against hers. Maureen curled in closer, if that was possible, her arms wrapped around his waist as she kissed him.
"Hey," she murmured between kisses. "You're smudging… your make up."
"I can fix it."
"Okay," she smiled.
"So what'd you get Joanne for her birthday?" Mark asked, flopping back onto the couch.
They'd managed to clean the entire basement, move everything out of the way, hang sheets and decorations in two hours and had a few minutes to spare. Sure, Roger had done most of the work while Mark complained, but thinking about his girlfriend, Roger decided it was worth it.
"I'm not telling," he smirked, sprawling out on the floor. "It's a secret."
"Oh, come on, Rog. I always told you what I got Maureen."
"But I never asked."
"Come on," he whined.
"Hey, someone's here," Roger pointed out, hearing the door upstairs open and shut again followed by the sounds of sneakers scuffing across the floor and the rumble of voices.
"Roger? Mark?"
"Downstairs!" he shouted, rolling into a sitting position.
A pair of jean-covered legs stomped down the stairs, belonging to a dark haired diva. She struggled to balance the cake in her arms as she went and smiled over at the boys.
"Hey guys," she grinned.
"Hey Mo," Roger said, taking the cake from her arms and setting it on the folding table he'd pinched his fingers in while trying to set it up.
"Hi Mark," she waved.
He smiled back, getting up from the couch to hug her. "Hey." He looked around her, expecting to see her boyfriend. "Where's Angel?"
"Right here," a voice came from the top of the stairs.
Mark's jaw nearly hit the floor as Angel appeared at Maureen's side. "Wha… whoa… hey."
"Hi Marky," Angel waved, sliding his hand into Maureen's. "Hey Roger."
"Hey," Roger called over his shoulder as he continued setting up his table.
"Where do you want presents?" Maureen called, crossing the room.
"On the table," Roger motioned to an empty space. "Thanks for making the cake."
"No problem," Maureen smiled.
"Joanne should be here soon," Roger said, turning to face the two. His eyebrows rose slightly but he smiled. "And Collins is coming, too."
Collins looked at himself in the mirror. "Okay Tom… you can do this man, it's just a party… with a bunch of high schoolers…" He sighed. "High schoolers who are my students… one of whom happens to be my boyfriend and oh Lord I can't do this." Collins leaned over, bracing himself on the sink. He had managed to avoid Mark for the past week… or maybe Mark had been avoiding him. He had no idea what he was going to say to him. Every waking moment (and most of his sleeping ones as well) he had been thinking about Mark. About the way he smiled, and how he smelled, and how when the sun hit his eyes just right Collins felt as though he could see straight through them into his soul. He had also been imagining the reactions Mark might have when he heard about Collins's sickness. Would he leave him in disgust and confusion or would he take him in his arms and say that everything would be all right, that he would love him despite his illness? And if that was the case, was Collins strong enough to do what he should do?
He knew in his heart that it was unfair of him to keep Mark in this relationship. Mark was young, handsome… healthy. He didn't need to spend his youth looking after a sickened lover. Collins couldn't condemn him to watching him waste away… and yet he couldn't bring himself to think about how bad his life would be without Mark.
He looked into the mirror again. Tears were starting to swim in his eyes, something that was a regular occurrence in the past week. Angrily, he wiped at his eyes and stormed out of the bathroom, grabbing a wrapped package before leaving his apartment. "God help me."
Joanne walked down the dusky street, arms wrapped around herself protectively. Her heels clicked with every step. 'What a fucking birthday…' she thought bitterly. None of her friends had called her to wish her a happy birthday, Roger had been out every time she had called his house and to top it all off, her parents stuck a brochure for an all-girls boarding school in her present, their hint that they thought her school and friends weren't good enough.
She wiped away an angry tear quickly. After all, she was walking up Roger's front path. She didn't want him to see her crying. His smile when he answered the door cheered her up… somewhat. "Happy birthday, baby," he murmured, kissing her softly.
"Thanks, honey," she answered, breathing in his comforting scent.
"What- what are you doing?"
Roger laughed, covering her eyes with his hands. "Just trust me."
Slowly, he walked her down a flight of stairs, still covering her eyes.
"Roger, what the hell - "
"Shh!" he hissed, brushing his lips against her neck. She shivered slightly.
Sounds floated into her ears. Shuffling, breathing, quiet giggles hushed by a "Quiet, Mo!" "What-"
The hands disappeared. Lights blared on. Joanne blinked furiously at the sea of smiling faces around her, recognizing her friends. "Surprise! Happy birthday, Joanne!"
Joanne gasped, her jaw dropping. "You guys did all this for me?"
Maureen giggled again from where she stood in Angel's arms. "Yep. We
all did -"
"But it was all Roger's idea," Angel cut off. Joanne barely noticed his attire as she turned to her boyfriend, who was standing behind her with a sheepish smile.
"Really?" He nodded, blushing. "Thank you, honey…" Joanne leaned forward and kissed his cheek. She took a mental deep breath before whispering, "I love you." Without waiting for a reaction, she started over to Maureen, hoping she hadn't fucked over her relationship.
"So whatdaya think?" Maureen asked, taking a sip of her soda. "Pretty good, huh?"
"It's wonderful," Joanne grinned. Nervously, she looked back over at Roger, who'd stricken up a conversation with Mark and Angel. Catching his eyes, she blushed and turned back to Maureen.
"Glad you like it," the diva grinned, waving over at Angel.
"Mo," Joanne whispered sharply, tugging on the girl's arm. "I just… I just told Roger that I love him."
Maureen's eyes widened, jaw dropping slightly before she let out an excited squeal, shaking Joanne and almost dropping her cup. Joanne raised a finger to her lips before squeezing Maureen's arm lightly. "Maureen, shhh…" she whispered, eyes widening. She nodded over towards the boys, gritting her teeth. "Shut up."
"Sorry," Maureen whispered. "What did he say back?"
"Nothing!" she exclaimed, voice still hushed.
"Nothing? What do you mean nothing?"
"I think I scared him…" she said, lowering her head and twiddling her fingers.
"Scared him?" Maureen asked, looking over at the stairs as she heard the door swing open. "Hey, Rog, who else is coming?"
"Uh… Collins," Roger said, walking over towards the girls. "Why?"
"I think he's here," she replied, pointing up at the entrance.
The clicking of heels on wood followed by the scuffing of sneakers sounded and Maureen cocked her head, a puzzled look forming on her face. "Doesn't sound like Collins."
"Hello," a voice shouted down the stairs.
Roger tensed immediately, closing his eyes and sighing. "Mimi."
"Mo!" the Latina squealed, lunging at her friend. "Hey!"
"Hi Meems," Maureen choked as the girl hugged her. She looked around Mimi to see a tall scrawny fairly uninterested looking guy. "Who's your friend?"
"Oh, this is Evan," she said, stepping back to push him forward. "He's one of Roger's band mates."
"Ah," Maureen nodded, smiling thinly at the boy.
Mimi elbowed the boy in the ribs, forcing out a tight uncomfortable 'hello'. Joanne nodded and smiled, wondering why on earth Mimi had showed up at her party. She didn't think Mimi was thrilled with her, especially since she'd stopped talking to her after the incident in the chorus room.
"Hi Joanne," Mimi grinned, wrapping her thin arms around the birthday girl.
"Hi Mimi," Joanne coughed, surprised by the warm welcome.
"Mimi."
"Roger," she said, glaring slightly.
"What're you doing?"
"What do you mean, what am I doing?"
Roger grabbed onto her elbow and tugged her off to the side.
"I'll be right back," she whispered, smiling.
"Whatever," Evan grunted, eyes locked on her ass as she wiggled off with Roger.
Joanne's heart sunk in her chest, eyes dropping to the floor. Maureen looked around nervously, slightly uncomfortable. "Mark, Ang," she called, waving to the boys.
"What?" Mark asked, stuffing chips into his mouth.
"Help," she said through her teeth, smiling. "Now."
Mark brushed his hands on his jeans and walked over, distracting the birthday girl with talk of math homework and how much he missed Collins. Maureen gave a relieved sigh as Angel wrapped his arms around her middle, holding her close. And then the boy spoke.
"What's up with you?" he asked, scoffing.
Angel opened his mouth to attempt and reply but Maureen beat him to it. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Mimi," Roger said firmly.
"Hey Rog," she smiled, twirling her hair around her finger.
"What are you doing here?"
"It's a birthday party, isn't it? I came to wish my friend a happy birthday."
"Bull shit," Roger said, resting his hands on his hips. "You haven't said anything to either of us since Murray's room. Why are you suddenly showing up? With that thing?" he asked, motioning to tall, pale and ugly who was talking with Mo and Angel.
"Look at him," Evan said, pointing at Angel. "He's a little fag."
Maureen's fingers tightened around Angel's as her temper flared. "Shut up."
"You're a guy who dresses like a girl who dates girls. Does that make you a dyke, too?"
"Mo," Angel warned as the diva tried to wiggle free of his grasp.
"Fuck you," she spat at the guitarist.
"He's my date," she said, smiling over at him and blowing a kiss. Suddenly, one of her many rings fell to the floor, clinking on the cement. "Oops," she said, bending down to look for it, her rump high in the air, mini skirt revealing way more than Roger wanted to see.
"Jesus, Mimi," he muttered under his breath.
"What?" she asked, sitting back on her limbs. "Like whatcha see?"
"No," he said, grabbing her hand and tugging her to her feet. "What do you want?"
Her eyes widened, lips turning into a pout. "Roger, that hurts," she whined. "I just want Joanne to have a good birthday."
"Then why'd you bring Evan? And why are you hitting on me?"
"Fairy."
Maureen pulled Angel's hands from her waist and lunged at the boy, tackling him to the ground. She dug her nails into his arms as he tried to shove her off. Pinning his shoulders down, she brought her knee up to meet his groin, causing the boy to gasp for breath.
Mimi glanced back over her shoulder where Evan had been standing and raised an eyebrow when she didn't see him standing there. "Where'd he go?"
"Maureen!" Roger shouted, pushing Mimi out of the way and running over to where the diva was rolling on the ground with his band mate.
Roger looked over at Angel and then back to the two on the ground, making the connection. A loud grunt came from Evan and Roger looked down in time to see Maureen slap him in the face.
"Get off!" he shouted, shoving her roughly. He brought a hand up to slap at her. "Oww! She bit me!"
"All right," Roger shouted, bending down and pulling Maureen off of the boy. "Thank you, that's enough."
"Fucking asshole," she said, continuing to spew insults as Roger dragged her to her feet. She brushed herself off, pushing hair out of her face. "Get the fuck out."
"Jesus Christ," Evan said, panting as he struggled to stand, wincing slightly. "Keep your woman on a goddamn leash."
Maureen made to jump at him again, but Roger caught her, throwing her over his shoulder. "Go to hell!" she shouted, legs kicking in the air as she tried to grab at him.
"Mimi!" Roger shouted. "Take your boyfriend and get out."
Mimi grabbed onto Evan's shirt and tugged him roughly towards the stairs. She spewed off a number of Spanish swears as she stomped up the stairs, dragging her boyfriend with her. She pushed past the tall dark computer lab aide without so much as a hello as they left.
"What's up with her?" Collins muttered, pausing half way down the stairs, taking in the scene before him. Roger had Maureen draped over his shoulder, Maureen was wiggling to get down, Angel's cheeks were flushed (and he was in drag?) and he stood next to the pair, Joanne stood speechless, a look of horror on her face, off to the side beside Mark… Mark. Collins felt his stomach tighten but he smiled, the look on the blond's face too cute to not smile.
"Hey Collins," Angel greeted, trying to take the attention off of the battle that had taken place.
"Roger, drop me," Maureen demanded. The rocker set her down on her feet and she straightened herself out, turning towards Angel. She blushed slightly, pushing hair back behind her ears. "I'm sorry."
"S'okay," Angel shrugged.
Maureen moved forward, wrapping her arms around her boyfriend. "No, it's not." She kissed him lightly. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Angel nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "So did you really bite him?"
Maureen giggled, kissing him again. "Just for you."
Collins smiled briefly at Angel before looking to Mark again. As he had predicted, Mark was looking amazing in his dressier clothes. Not that jeans and a sweater was anything different from what he normally wore, but they just seemed to fit him better. Or maybe it was just Collins - Shut up, brain. Collins set down Joanne's present on a table and started over to Mark. Okay, so… Mark, I'm so sorry, I just, I have something - what the fuck was I thinking? I can't do- Collins stopped dead in his tracks. Mark was no longer alone. A good-looking boy had sidled up next to him, his body language screaming flirtation. The boy lightly shoved the filmmaker's shoulder, his hand lingering far too long for an innocent gesture. And by the look on Mark's face, he wasn't objecting.
Collins felt his stomach drop. Taking a deep breath, he turned away from the scene before he could work himself up. Into sobs or into a rage, he didn't know which.
"Collins? You okay?" Joanne frowned slightly at him, confused. Collins managed a grin for her.
"Nah, I'm fine. Don't you worry, birthday girl." He swept her up in a hug like he had done a few times when she was younger. "Happy birthday, Jo," he whispered in her ear.
Her smile was only seen for a few moments before a dark-haired blue swept between them. "Come on, Joanne, it's time for presents!"
"Mo, let the girl breathe!" Angel wrapped his arms around Maureen's waist and pulled her back to him.
Collins shrugged slightly at the sight of Angel in drag. It suited him, and apparently Maureen wasn't objecting, due to the massive kiss she was planting on his lips. Collins shook his head and laughed, sinking into an armchair. His eyes almost automatically sought out Mark, something he was sorry for. Mark and the boy were crammed onto a couch, Mark practically on his lap. Collins gulped and flexed his knuckles. He couldn't blame Mark, of course… but he still wanted to kill the boy for even thinking about touching his Mark.
Fifteen minutes later, Joanne was surrounded by presents. Angel had gotten her a really cute skirt and Maureen, a shirt to go with it. ("I wanted to get you porn since you are 18, but Angel wouldn't let me…") Mark had put together a short film for her, Collins had given her a photo album with pictures from her sister's high school days to her own. All of her other friends had gotten her little trinkets or a CD or two. The only person she hadn't gotten a present from was Roger.
All eyes turned to him, which made him shift uncomfortably. "Ah. My turn. Hold on. Close your eyes, baby," he instructed softly. Joanne obliged, shutting her eyes. The little noises from the partiers made her want to open them… and she was allowed to a moment later. Immediately she grinned - Roger was sitting in front of her with his guitar in his lap. "Uh… okay. This is why I've been avoiding you, so… I hope you like it." He grinned sheepishly at her before starting to play.
Wait for the sun to set your time
Wait till your tide rolls out to sea
Take a deep breath, whisper my name
I'll look up just in time to see
Then the stars can follow me
10,000 miles to take me home
I don't belong out here alone at sea
10,000 miles ain't that far
When it's over and done
There's nothing but you and me
Take all your blessings and your prayers
Lay down your blanket on the beach
Just watch the waves crash on the shore
And feel the water at your feet
And know that somewhere I am home
I feel you from the ocean deep
10,000 miles to take me home
I don't belong out here alone at sea
10,000 miles ain't that far
When it's over and done
There's nothing but you and me
If from the farthest sun, I'll carry on
Just for the moment I can feel
The beauty of the beating of your heart
Every time it beats for me
10,000 miles to take me home
I don't belong out here alone at sea
10,000 miles ain't that far
When it's over and done
There's nothing but you and me
10,000 miles to take me home
I don't belong out here alone at sea
10,000 miles ain't that far
It's over and done
There's nothing but you and me
Joanne watched him for a moment, tears in her eyes, speechless as the last chord faded away. Roger slowly took off his guitar and sank down on his knees in front of her. "I- I love you, baby. I love you." He leaned in and kissed her. Joanne sank into him, her heart swelling with happiness.
"Thank you… that's the best birthday present I've ever gotten," she whispered, wiping her brimming eyes. Roger pulled away and half-smiled, wiping a thumb under her eye.
"You're welcome."
"All right, enough of this mushy crap. Time to party!" Maureen jumped up and swept all the presents and wrapping paper aside. Someone started a dance CD and turned down the lights, everyone coming to life around them and dancing.
But Roger and Joanne remained on the floor by the couch, too wrapped up in each other to notice anyone else.
