(Untitled)

[mm_ali]

Open the apartment door, step in, drop keys on the coffee table.

At least, that's what I'd planned.

I wasn't anywhere I wanted to be.

"Adam, I swear, if this is one of your jokes...."

Comments

[hermit_of]

So you know how everyone needs a mental health day sometimes?
College is being vaguely frustrating, and Mark's busy for too much of the day tp be of overmuch help, so Angel's taking matters into his own hands. And he wasn't expecting a... whatever the hell this place is, but there are interesting-looking people and it's not on Juilliard's campus, so it'll work.
He looks up when the girl comes in, but doesn't offer commentary, since he has no real idea what's going on either.

[hermit_of]

"...So Holy Wood never will make sense. He's debating an internship in California right now, but I don't think he's gonna go for it. He's liking the sound of the summer classes too much, besides the reading bias."

[mm_ali]

"No, it doesn't. Granted, we've also had trouble with Idiots that seemed to think he was making a social statement, when in reality he was just...showing reality. People loving, people laughing..." And my voice drops and hitches a bit, thinking about Caitlin, "People doing the best they can to live...even after others are gone."

After a moment, I shake my head, clearing it. "Of course, if he gets attacked again, I think Sara and Collins will probably declare war and I doubt the Idiots will win."

[hermit_of]

"People are so weird sometimes."
Of the two names, there's only one that's ringing a bell. And to Angel's mind it's such an odd thought it bears a little contemplation.
"Mark's philosophy prof? ...Well, okay, he is a pretty cool guy."

[mm_ali]

I know I've probably got a ridiculous expression on my face.

"....and here, there'd be another difference. Um...Collins...is your lover. Well, the Angel-I-know's lover. Rather firmly established. And Mark is with Sara...Sara Sidle. Very much in love with her, dumped Maureen Johnson to be with her...."

Where's a convenient hole in which to be swallowed up? They never show up when you need them.

[hermit_of]

Yeah, about those ridiculous expressions? Angel's likely got one himself, in the midst of trying to process all that.
"Okay, Collins is cute and all, but... well, Mark was there first."
That should say it all. Angel's only ever heard storis of Maureen as the obnoxious high school freshman who pestered Mark back before his family moved to Buffalo, so... excuse the poor thing while his brain explodes at the thought of those two as a couple.

[mm_ali]

"....from what he told me, Mark didn't meet you until after you'd found Collins after a mugging." Kind of lame but, hell, what can I say? "Guess it depends on who got there first. I don't know where Mark met Sara--she works in Las Vegas as a criminalist--but they make it work."

[hermit_of]

"Well, no one's been mugged that I know of - Mark and I met in high school. Don't know anyone named Sara, but if she's from Vegas I guess that's no surprise. I've heard horror stories about Maureen, though."
And that's exactly what they are.

[mm_ali]

"Don't get me wrong--Mark's been great to me and I consider him a friend, but I don't know what in the hell he ever saw in her. I think now he's wondering the same thing, though. Sara's not with him to make herself look good or get a quick fuck--pardon my language--and frankly it's about time Mark stopped settling for those things with Maureen."

Beat.

"Glad yours hasn't fallen into her trap."

Because that's what it amounts to.

[hermit_of]

"They haven't talked in years, far as I know, and Mark's not exactly seeking her out. I don't think she was in it for the sex in high school, at least - from what I've heard, she just bothered him because their parents know each other."
Why does distance make us wise, anyone?

[mm_ali]

"Have him keep it that way. I don't think she's bad as a person but for anything else...." And why are we still talking about her?

I take another pull from my beer and sigh. I probably shouldn't say anything, but I remember the look on Collins'face the one time he'd spoken of Angel's final moments.

"For your sake...and his...stay monogamous."

[hermit_of]

"Honey, neither of us feel the need to look anywhere else. Mark's idiot roommate at least learned that fairly quickly."

[mm_ali]

"Good." And I know my face has gone serious but hell, I have friends in Life Support.

[hermit_of]

"I appreciate the concern, but we're not gonna run the risk."

[mm_ali]

"I'm glad to hear that. It's only a matter of time for too many of my friends as it is." I think of Caitlin again and I wish I could get my hands around Grey's neck.

[hermit_of]

"Get the feeling we'll have friends in that boat before too long as it is."
Stupid mistakes happen, after all. And they haven't even met Roger yet.