What Hurts the Most?
Author's Note: It's been a while. I'm so sorry for making y'all wait! *smiles in apology*I still don't own RENT, and probably never will.
Chapter Two: Where We Are Now
April looked at Roger, her face tight with worry. She sighed, and Roger grinned a little to make her relax. Today was Benny's wedding. The doctor's appointment was postponed until after, because Roger and Mark were groomsmen.
He turned to Mark, who had his camera around his neck. Maureen blew a kiss in his direction, with a little flirty smile in her eyes. What Mark hadn't realized was that she was actually blowing kisses at the guy next to him; Benny's little brother, Simon. April did; Maureen and April were really close. Almost like sisters.
Mark turned to Roger, who was slightly shivering in his tuxedo. "You okay?" he muttered. "Fine." Roger whispered in response.
Roger didn't have to tell Mark a thing. He already knew all of Roger's secrets. He found Roger's 'hidden' stash behind the drawers in the bathroom. Collins was the one who found it, actually. He had stashed his own vice there—his alcohol. Collins didn't hide the alcohol because he was an alcoholic….he stashed it so Maureen wouldn't get it.
After the wedding, April and Roger left immediately to the doctor.
"Hi, I'm April Ericsson. I'm here for the results of my--…"
"Thank you so much." She said, gratefully as she got handed the big packet of information.
April Elaine Ericsson. Positive. She looked at Roger, tears filling her gray eyes. "Oh, Rog…I'm so sorry…" she sobbed. Roger looked over her shoulder, and looked at the papers. Oh, God. He felt sick. But, didn't want to tell April and make her feel worse. He just wrapped her in a hug and said, "It's gonna be okay. I promise."
LATER
Roger sat on the couch, curled in a little ball. He had to give it up. He had to. He had to. But, he couldn't. He grabbed his guitar, and tried to play. But, his emotions were still too raw to tap into the creative flow. "Sorry, Molly. I can't play you right now." He mumbled.
Mark was at work. Would be for a while. Roger had a gig scheduled tonight…but he couldn't go now. He just couldn't.
"Hey, Phil. It's me. Roger. I can't make it tonight….I got bad news earlier and…yeah…yeah…you're right. You're right. Okay. Tell Sam to relax. I'll be there." He groaned as he hung up. The last thing he wanted to do was perform. He couldn't call back after he'd just promised he'd be there.
When he got off stage, he kept thinking about that dancer that he'd seen as he left for the show. She was a skinny little vixen. She was gorgeous. He'd never seen anything so beautiful in his life. Except for April. April! He walked over to her apartment, and used the key she'd given him and got in. He yelled her name, and looked all over her apartment for her. He was about to call it quits when he noticed her bathroom light was on. The water was going, too. She was taking a bath; that was why she hadn't heard him.
He opened the door, and saw her in the tub. The water was a deep red. His heart jumped into his throat and he ran in to save her.
"April! April! Come on, baby. Speak to me! Damn it! Don't you leave me, understand? Don't! I love you!" he said, as he tried to revive her. He called 911, and they came. She was dead.
LATER
Roger came home, trying to control himself. He didn't think he could handle Mark's questions. Not when Roger just wanted to die in peace and join his beloved April.
Mark looked up from his make out session with Maureen, and saw Roger looking so pale and fragile. Roger sniffled his tears, and tried to go past them without saying anything. Mark grabbed Roger, and looked at him deeply. Maureen ignored him.
"Roger?" he asked, as Roger just walked to the bathroom and locked the door.
This is not good thought Mark.
Mark banged on the door, yelling Roger's name.
When he finally managed to unlock the door using a pair of pliers lying around, he came in and saw Roger sobbing on the floor. An unused razor at his side.
"Roger! What's going on?"
"It's April…she's dead." He sobbed, trying to slow it down.