The Rebel

Chapter 1: The Riot

Before Roger had even met April, him, Collins, Benny (you'll learn about him later), Maureen and I were room mates. When I first met Maureen I was awestruck, she was just so wild, beautiful and altogether perfect. It was a bit pathetic really, how much I liked her. Collins was the wingman who had hooked us up.

"Boys! There is gonna be one sweet riot tonight, protesting the attitude towards the homeless. I know the girl running it. Maureen, - Mark, you'd love her." He grinned at me. So Roger, Collins and I headed over to the protest (Benny opted out).

"This girl is really something else, she throws real out-there protest. The cops showed up last time - arrested a few people, but they got out within a few hours." That didn't make me feel too enthusiastic about going. Collins must've saw my apprehension because he put his arm around my shoulder and said, "If it makes you feel better, we'll stand by the exit." Of course the moment I laid my eyes on Maureen, there was no need to stand near the exit - I wanted a center, front row view. As I filmed her wild performance, I felt the need to look at her outside of my camera's lens - an incredibly rare occurrence for someone like me.

I gaped as she looked down at me and winked. Collins stared at me and gave a deep chuckle. He said something that I didn't quite catch to Roger, who snickered. It didn't matter that there was no doubt in my mind they were making jokes about me, all that mattered was the wild performer screaming on stage in front of me.

It didn't even matter that I ended up getting arrested. Normally that would shake me, but not when all I could think about was that protest and the amazing girl who held it. Collins came and bailed me out within an hour. I thanked him and he asked what I thought about the protest.

"It was great." I grinned.

"I thought so, too. Even Roger liked it!" We laughed. "Roger and Maureen - the girl who ran the protest - are waiting for us at the Life Café."

I gulped as we walked in. Why would a girl like her, have an interest in a scrawny, starving, film maker like me? Collins gave me an all-knowing look and laughed. "C'mon. I'll introduce you."

We entered and saw Maureen and Roger talking, tucked away at a table to the left - by the bar. I couldn't help but be jealous that Roger was having a conversation, with the beautiful black haired beauty. She was wearing a tight t-shirt, ripped jeans, cherry red lipstick, black stud earrings and 3 inch high heels. Not the kind of girl I was used to dating. When she saw Collins her face lit up and she gave him a hug. She turned to me.

"Hi! I'm Maureen," she smiled. "Sorry you got arrested - it was supposed to be a peaceful protest."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Mark. And its cool." She smiled. Oh how much I loved that smile. I knew that she was out of my league. I knew a girl like that, couldn't possibly content herself with a dork like me. Of course, that didn't stop me from going for her.

Chapter 2: Technical

Once Maureen and I started dating, she had me control the technical needs of every one of her protests. A tiring job, yes, but I could never get tired of seeing her performing on stage.

"Hey Marky, can you come over and help out with the protest tomorrow?" she would say. It wasn't really a question anymore - she knew what my answer would be. So what if I was planning on filming some footage that day? Maureen needed me, and as much as I may try to deny it - its nice to be needed.

I would usually spent a good few hours doing technical stuff and the occasional odd-job for her. The time went quickly, though, as it always did when I was with her.

"It looks great, Pookie." She would tell me, with a kiss, just before crowds started showing up to see what my crazy girl would protest next.

Blushing lightly, I replied, "Thanks. Good luck. I'll be in back of the stage."

I was perfectly content. What more could I ask for? I had a beautiful, wonderful girlfriend, I was actually finishing my films for once and Roger decided to quit heroin. It seemed like everything was going for me, like it was too good to be true. Which in the end, I guess it was.

Chapter 3: The Broken Romance

I was head-over-heels in love with her, but I guess it was just a casual romance to her.

I was aware Maureen cheated. I wasn't dumb. But it was easier if I pretended I was. I didn't want to face the realization that this perfect girl that I was so dang lucky to date, wasn't being faithful. I knew when she came into the loft three hours later then she said she would, when she came in smelling of cigarettes and booze, I knew what it meant. I knew what it meant when she was on the phone flirting for what seemed to me like hours. But like a coward, like the filmmaker I am, that hides behind his work so he doesn't have to face reality - I didn't do anything. I couldn't bring myself to bring it up to her. She didn't need another reason to break up with me.

It's true what they say, that love is imperfect, love is flawed. Well at least, our love certainly was. What kind of a coward was I, that I couldn't even stand up to my own girlfriend?

That is how our relationship went on for months - she cheated, I kept my silence, while falling apart on the inside. She manipulated me into doing things for her, that I didn't want to do - and I pretended I didn't mind. She introduced me to many people that she flirted with - and I acted like I didn't notice her giving them her number.

The worst part of it was all I was fully aware of what was going on. I just couldn't bring myself to do anything about it.