Treat Me Right // River Phoenix (on hold)

E i g h t

Dates were a key part of a relationship, and I guess that River knew if he wanted us to be together, then we'd have to go on a date first.

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October 19 1988

It's been a little over a week since River sent me those flowers at work, and we haven't really talked since then. We've both been busy, he'd call and leave a voicemail then I'd call him and I'd have to leave a voicemail.

It was mid day, Thursday to be exact. I was at work talking to Mag, telling her a story about my neighbor.

"He's an 8 year old, red headed kid. We were going to his little clubhouse behind his house, and then he goes into his garage and comes back out with a giant chainsaw and tried to start it up." I tell her and she bursts out laughing.

We were both laughing hysterically at my neighbor, when I heard the store phone start to ring. I walk over to answer it.

"Blu 99, how can I help you?" I answered.

"Teegan?" the voice asked.

"River? Hey!" I said.

"Hey, sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you were busy Saturday night." he said.

"No, I don't think so, why?" I asked.

"Well, um, I was wondering if you would like to um, you know, go on our f-first official date?" he asked, nervously.

"Awe, River, I'd love to!" I told him.

"Really?" he seemed shocked.

"Yeah, why would you ask that?" I asked.

"Nothing, I just though you were busy is all." he said.

"Oh, well, I'm not." I said.

"Okay well, I'll come to pick you up, say 5?" he asked.

"Yeah that's fine." I said and wrote down the time on a sticky note that was on the desk.

"Well, Teegan, until Saturday." he said.

"Wait!" I exclaimed before he hung up.

"Yeah?"

"How do I dress?" I asked him.

"Fancy." he said, and we said our goodbyes.

I hung up the phone, and Mag asked "Who was that?"

"A friend." I told her.

"The "friend" who sent you the flowers?" she raised her eyebrows.

"Yeah." I said slowly.

"What'd he say?" she asked.

"He asked if I wanted to go on a date Saturday." I excitedly said.

"Awe! How exciting!" she said with a huge smile.

"What's he like?" she asked me.

"Well, for one, he's so sweet. He cares about animals a lot and he's a vegan. He loves nature and his personality is so unique. You couldn't find a guy sweeter than him." I had no idea why I was saying all of this, it's all true, of course, but I never was one to express my feeling for a guy especially when I didn't really know him like River. With all my past relationships, if I showed feeling for the guy too early then he'd always end up being a jerk, and I've known River for only a few weeks.

"How cute is he?"

"On a scale from 1-10?" she nodded.

"11." I said and she squealed, she may be around 30 but she likes gossip, if you can even count this as gossip.

"Do you know where he's taking you?"

"No, but he said to dress fancy." she wiggled her eyebrows.

"Wow, he's going all out." I laughed.

"Well, I hope you have fun." she smiled.

"Me too." I said.

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I feel like this story is getting boring for you guys :///

I'm so sorry.