My Mistake ⌲ River Phoenix

2; my mistake

"Who the hell is River Phoenix?" I asked as he gave me a bewildered look.

"He's a huge actor right now, every girl in this hell-hole flocks to him every time Aleka's Attic gets on that stage," he said as he handed a beer to a customer on the next seat over. My mistake, I guess. "That's probably why he felt compelled to strike a conversation with you because you're the only girl who doesn't know who he is." I looked up on stage at this River kid, and I watched as his wandering eyes slowly met mine.

"Carmen and I can't afford a television... or to even go to a movie theater," I muttered meekly. Asher bit his cheek.

"I'm sure Carm's got some magazines from her job she can give a glance or two at. She'd probably help educate you on pop culture."

"I honestly don't think I'd find it that interesting, anyway. As long as I've got books, art, and Elton John, I think I'm pretty set off," I explained to Asher in the midst of the loud music. I soon trailed off once I realized Rick had found his way back up to me - handing me a new apron.

"Can't believe someone like you was able to get with River Phoenix," Rick scoffed with a snarky tone. Initially, I wasn't sure If I should be insulted or flattered by that statement.

Does he actually believe I'm dating that guy?

"Hey, Reena, if you want, I'll tell the kid to scram," Asher suggested. I shook my head as I rolled my eyes. This was just another day with Asher. It was obvious he went day by day desperately trying to fixate his wandering mind on a single soul. Nevertheless, to no avail, he knew he never could... except for Carmen.

He's a few years older than Carmen - and don't even get me started with those 2. They are the bane of my existence - how back and forth they are. Truly disgusting. I think how they go about love is almost hysterical... it makes me believe sometimes true love isn't so easy.

But, I don't think Asher has ever loved anyone more than her... vice versa. They had a complicated type of love story. One that never really started, to be frank, but everybody and their mothers know they are meant to be... except them. And, I also think they don't want to come to terms with it. But, who really knows?

"He said he was trying to understand a role better - a character like Holden Caufield," I said slowly.

"Ah, right, Caufield - the character that defines your very existence, tell me something I don't know," Asher scoffed playfully. I shot him a narrowed glance.

"It's not like that. That book is the closest I'll ever be to my parents. The character resonates with me in many ways," I sighed as I sat down at the bar front.

"It probably has something to do with your vivid way of expressing your discontent to this world," Asher said and I quickly turned to him.

"You read the book?" I felt my face brighten up.

"Of course I did, all you ever do is talk about it," he smiled at me with that cheeky grin I always adored. However, before I could say anything else, I noticed all the murmur of the crowd go quiet - all heads were turned to the entrance with wide eyes.

It was my sister.

I quickly glanced over to Asher, who stared at her with a certain love in his eyes that was truly incomprehensible. They look at each other like they were almost lovers like they should have kissed and made love and laughed in bed together, but they chose to stay as friends instead. They look at each other with what-ifs and could haves and hearts full of regret.

"Ash," Carmen spoke slowly and sparingly. She wore some high-waisted jeans with a purple sweatshirt. She gave me a quick nod of acknowledgment and rested her arms on the bar. "Long time."

In this brief moment, I could tell that these two people are in love; you can see it in their eyes - a feeling full of admiration, attraction, underlying feelings. No matter how long they go without seeing each other and even if they both didn't say a word for years, there's this invisible thread connecting them.

That's also the precise moment I turned to see Rio standing right next to me - looking at me in that same way.

"I see you've got a new apron," he smirked, briefly exchanging glances with lovebirds Asher and Carmen. I suddenly felt uneasy. Something about being in this boys presence made me lose all motor control.

"And I see you've got a new boyfriend, Reena," Carm teased as she looked at Rio's comfy-looking blazer topped on top of a green flannel.

"See, everyone knows it except you. We gotta do something about that," Rio added slyly and Carm let out a laugh. It was evident she liked his persistence.

"Can I get a long island, Ash?" She asked as she sat at the bar stand. Asher averted his eyes down to the floor. He knew Carm was hard to read, especially her intentions as to why she even showed up to a cafe she verbally despises on a daily basis. Nevertheless, she's got a good heart. She really does. It's just been broken - a lot. She must've just gotten finished with her date - an ill-fated one, at that.

With that said, I couldn't just keep ignoring curious Rio in the midst of a bright and beaming cafe. He was ruthless - and I guess I admired it. Most guys, whenever they exhibited an interest in me, always gave up within minutes of my repulsion of them, and although I wasn't necessarily repulsed by Rio,  he didn't give up.

His emerald eyes possessed a feeling of adventure. I can't really explain it, it's a feeling in my chest, in my stomach. It's a rush - underneath the surface of my skin, in my veins, in between every last single costal cartilage in my lungs. It's one look, one breath, that's all it takes.

"You don't like talking much, do you?" Rio asked, breaking my train of thought. My eyes fluttered over to him. "Tell me about yourself."

"I have one of those very loud, stupid laughs. I mean if I ever sat behind myself in a movie or something, I'd probably lean over and tell myself to please shut up," I remarked with a deadpan tone. He chuckled.

"Hey, River, you coming with us to get some ice cream down the street?" Josh asked as the other band members started packing up their equipment. I looked over at Carm, who was now basically passed out, drunk. Asher had resorted to tapping on her blush-stained cheek and wiping her runny eyeliner.

"Come with me," Rio said as he suddenly grabbed my shaky hands. His touch was warm and welcoming - the feeling adventure he gave me was probably never going to go away. I couldn't complain.

"I have to work, I just got here."

"Then, I'll wait for you," he spoke softly, soon taking a spot next to unconscious Carm at the bar.