Disclaimer: I don't own RENT, or the song "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"
A/N: REVIEW PLEASE!
Chapter One
Mimi was walking back to the loft. She had gotten a job at the Life Café as a waitress and nothing could bring her down. She had come so far since her near-death experience a year ago. She was passing the park as she was humming to herself when she stopped in her tracks.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby
Now it wasn't unusual to hear street performers in this area of New York. There was either someone singing, drawing, or drumming on most street corners to earn money. But this voice sounded different to Mimi. It was young and innocent. She decided to investigate.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
Away above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.
Mimi's search brought her to the main fountain in the park. There was a young girl, couldn't be older than sixteen, singing. Her clothes were worn and an upside-down hat with various coins and bills was a foot away from her. Mimi noticed the girl had a small audience: an elderly couple, a woman with a stroller, and a few children sitting on nearby benches.
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?
She received a small applause, followed by people placing money into her hat. She murmured "thank you," to those who did. Mimi walked up to her and placed a five dollar bill into the hat, and got a smile in return. The girl had dark blonde hair and blue eyes. Mimi went and sat on the bench that was just vacated by the children who had been watching the girl. She was going to talk to the girl.
After the last person dropped a quarter in to the girl's hat, she gathered her earning into a coin purse with a metal clasp. She then put on her hat, picked up a backpack with a small logo on it, and began to walk away. Before she got too far, Mimi stopped her.
"Excuse me," she said, tapping the girl on the shoulder, causing her to quickly turn around, with a deer-in-the-headlights look on her face. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you. I just noticed you're alone, and New York, the East Village especially, isn't a good place for someone your age to be alone."
"First of all, don't talk to me like I'm six, I'm fifteen. And second, why are you talking to me? This city isn't exactly known for its caring people," the girl snapped back.
"I just thought you could use some help," Mimi replied.
"Who said I wanted any help? And how could you possibly help me when you have no idea of what I've been through?" The girl said, using the same tone as before. she turned on her heels to run away, but Mimi grabbed her arm to stop her.
"I may not know what you've been through, but I know what it's like to live on the streets. I know what its like knowing you don't have a warm home to go to at the end of the day," Mimi said coldly, but quickly changed the tone of her voice. "Let me help you."
The girl was shocked. No one had ever been this nice to her before. she gave in.
"Ok, fine."
"Good. Oh, how rude of me! I'm Mimi. Mimi Marquez, soon to be Mimi Davis. What's your name?"
"Kaila Turner."
"Well, nice to meet you Kaila," Mimi said.
A/N: If anyone can think of a good title for the fic, tell me in a review please!