Chapter 6:
"Whoa!" Roger cried out when he saw Mark fly out of the bathroom.
SLAM!
"What the hell just happened?" the rocker asked as he helped his friend to his feet.
"She doesn't want to talk right now." answered Mark.
"Remind me not to piss her off." Roger said.
Angel and Collins exchanged looks. This wasn't good. Angel nodged Collins, telling him that this would be a good idea to get some fresh air. Collins took his cue. "C'mon man, lets you and me go out for some fresh air."
The look that Collins gave the film maker told him that he needed to talk to someone about the proposal. Collins could tell it was driving the poor boy crazy. Mark turned his attention from the teacher to the bathroom. "I would rather wait for Phoebe." replied Mark.
"It's okay sweetie, we got her." Angel assured him.
Mark sighed. "All right, just tell her I'll be back okay."
"We'll do." Angel replied and with that Collins and Mark left.
When they left, Angel stormed to the bathroom and pounded on the door, demanding to be let in. Phoebe didn't budge inside. She didn't want to talk to anyone, not even her sister. However, her sister wouldn't let up. "Girl, if you don't open this door right now, there's going to be a repeat of what happened in 6th grade!"
"What happened in 6th grade?" Mimi asked.
"Phoebe knows what I'm talking about." replied Angel. Whatever happened, it worked because Phoebe opened the door and dragged the drag queen in.
"And the cheese stands alone." Roger sang out when he noticed that he and Mimi were the only ones left.
"Something is going on." Mimi said. "Whatever it is, I just hope for Mark and Phoebe's sake it all works out..."
"This is killing you isn't it?" Collins said to Mark when they were a good block away from the loft.
"You have no idea." sighed the film maker. "The worst part is the diva found out."
"What?!" Collins asked.
"Yeah."
"When?"
"Yesturday," he answered. "I was going to pick up a ring for Pheebs and she spotted me."
"What happened?"
Mark told them of their fight. Collins wasn't surprised. The drama queen was known for stunts like that, but something did surprise him... "It sounds like she's jealous."
Mark burst out laughing. "Maureen jealous? How many joints have you smoked today?"
"I'm serious." the teacher told him.
"Why would she be jealous of me and Phoebe?"
"Because you have something that she doesn't." answered Collins. "Trust and commintment."
"Unbelievable." Mark said.
"I know but don't let Maureen bother you. You know this will die down."
"I don't know..." Mark said. "You know how Maureen gets, and I'm wondering what she said to Phoebe..." he sighed with frustration. "She's interersted in the idea but after this I don't know if she'll say yes to me now." the film maker then told Collins of the conversation between him, Roger, Mimi, and Phoebe. It was the one where they talked about moving in not too long ago. Their had been taunting of a proposal and Phoebe seemed keen on the idea, but they never brought it up again.
"Are you still interested?" Collins asked him.
"Yes more than anything," answered Mark.
"Then there you go." he assured him. "C'mon,"
"Where are you taking me?"
"You'll see."
Collins had taken Mark to a new jewerly store. "Can I help you gentlemen?" a sales clerk asked them.
"Yes, my boy here," Collins through an arm around Mark. "Needs an engagement for his girlfriend."
The sales clerk smiled. "Ah yes, follow me then."
The sales clerk took them to a nice selection of rings. Ones that were way over Mark's price range. "I can't afford these." he whispered to Collins. "Buzz Line doesn't pay this much."
"Don't worry about it." Collins assured him. "Just pick one will you."
"You're not going to buy me a ring for Phoebe." said Mark.
"Call it an early wedding present." smirked Collins.
"Fine, but I'm paying you back."
"You do and I'll have Angel kick your ass."
That was a scary thought. "Fine, fine." Mark said.
Collins laughed. "I thought you'd see it my way."
Mark picked a nice ring. Collins paid for it and the two left. "I just hope that Angel was able to talk to Phoebe."
Back at the loft Phoebe had come out of hiding. Angel had talked to her. The writer told her what Maureen had said. The drag queen was not happy at all. They would make an arrangement to go over to talk to the diva herself and get this all straightened out, and if someone's ass had to be kicked for it. Then so be it. No one talked to Angel's sister that way.
"We're home!" Collins shouted when he and Mark returned.
When Mark saw that Phoebe was out he quickly hid the ring in his pocket. Phoebe smiled when she saw Mark. She hestiantly walked over to the film maker. "I'm really sorry about throughing you out of the bathroom earlier."
"It's okay." Mark assured her. "Are you all right though?"
"I am now." she answered him.
The two embraced then and the group of friends surrounded them gave them all a great big "Aww,"
"You know thats getting really old." Mark said to them with a laugh.
"But you guys are so cute!" Mimi said.
"Hey, I still say we're the cutest couple!" protest Roger.
The group of friends laughed and it caused all the tension in the air to lift at least for now. No telling how much Hell would be raised when they would face Maureen. The writer would be ready this time though. She wouldn't let Maureen bother her. After all this time she would have her boyfriend and her sister on her side.
TBC...