AN: Hi everyone! This is my first fanfic, so please go easy on me. I promise it will get better from here! I've been obsessed with RENT for a while now –seriously, I watch the movie at least once a week –and Mark has always been my favorite character. He's just so cute in a really dorky kind of way, and I think he deserves someone to love, too.

Disclaimer: If RENT were mine, I wouldn't be writing a fanfiction about it. The only thing I own is the character of Grace. All other credit goes to the late, great Jonathan Larson.

Chapter One

"November 12th, 10:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time," said Mark Cohen with his camera held up to his face, beginning to film his friends as they sat, scattered around the chilly loft. Maureen and Joanne were sitting on the couch, kissing. Roger was on the table, strumming on his guitar while Mimi leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder. Angel and Collins shared a cigarette in the armchair.

"We have just returned home from a lovely evening at the Life Café," Mark continued to narrate, "that ended with Maureen threatening to shove a half-empty beer bottle up some guy's ass after he, um, politely asked her and Joanne to stop their public display of affection"

"Hey, that douche-pants had it coming!" Maureen yelled defensively, turning to nuzzle her face in Joanne's hair. "Nobody talks to me and Pookie like that."

Joanne rolled her eyes and the two continued with their make-out session.

Mark turned the camera to face the table. "Pan left. Zoom in on Roger, who is still attempting to write a song that doesn't sound like 'Musetta's Waltz.'" Roger didn't so much as look up from his beaten-up Fender but stopped playing just long enough to give his roommate the middle finger. Mimi laughed, and then looked sheepishly up at Mark.

"Mark!" Collins called through a puff of smoke, catching the filmmaker's attention.

"Yeah?"

"Would you put that damn thing away and just socialize with us?" the anarchist teased. "I think you got enough footage tonight at the Life."

Mark's camera had run down by then, but he still stood in the center of the room, fiddling with it and saying nothing. He was afraid to admit that he felt a little awkward by himself amongst the rest of the couples.

Angel, always the mind-reader, suddenly spoke up. "You know, I'd bet that if Marky got himself a pretty girl, we'd be seeing that old camera a whole lot less."

Mark looked down, embarrassed. "Angel, I don't –"

"Oh my God," Maureen suddenly squealed, "Angel's right, Mark; we need to find you a girlfriend! I met someone the other day, at the coffee shop. She was funny, and really pretty, too! You might like her. Let's see, I think her name was –"

"Whoa, okay, wait just a minute," Joanne snapped, cutting her girlfriend off. "Where was I when this happened? You never said anything about…"

The diva rolled her eyes. "Pookie, there's no need to get jealous! I'm just trying to help Mark!"

Mark couldn't help but find it kind of strange that his ex-girlfriend was now trying to help him find another woman, but he decided to ignore it. "That's okay, Mo. Thanks, but I really don't need a girlfriend right now."

"Yes, you do!" she argued.

"No, I –"

Roger interrupted, smirking. "You say that now, Cohen, but sooner or later your repressed sexual urges are gonna get the better of you."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that," Collins laughed. "The boy's so attached to his camera; I'd be surprised if he wasn't fucking it already!"

Mark's face flushed bright red in annoyance as Roger began to howl with laughter, resulting in Mimi jabbing an elbow into his ribs. "OW! Meems, what the hell was that for?!"

Mimi ignored him and looked over at the filmmaker. "Mark, we're just worried about you," she said softly, her brown eyes shining with concern. "You're always off by yourself with your camera. We don't want you to feel lonely."

"Thanks, Mimi. But it's fine, really. I'm perfectly happy without a girlfriend."

The Latina nodded quietly in response, still not looking convinced. Angel, however, gave Mark a knowing grin. "Don't worry, sugar, you'll find someone special. I'm positive."

Mark opened his mouth, but then decided not to argue. He knew that when Angel Dumott Schunard was positive, nothing could change her mind.

AN: So, what did you think? Love it? Hate it? Please let me know. Reviews make the world a better place.