Where I'd Gone ⌲ River Phoenix ((COMPLETED))

Connected Part 2

April 19, 1987

"How's River?" Danny asked out of nowhere.

"I- uh... I'm dating Charlie now," I breathed.

"Charlie? Like Charlie the nerd? Haha!" He joked.

"Yeah, he's my dream!" I smiled.

"God he's such a fucking nerd, how could you date him?" He laughed and I felt like punching him right then and there.

"Priscilla is such a slut, how could you date her?" I mimicked him. His eyes suddenly went cold, and I could tell something was different.

"We aren't dating anymore..." He muttered awkwardly. "She's dating the most popular guy in school."

I shrugged. "That's nothing I need to worry about."

"Well you better worry about Charlie... He's not all what he seems."

April 22, 1987

I'm 16! The sweet 16. So many things happened on my last birthday... River's kiss to be exact. Talking about River, he's still staying with us. He said he'd be with us for a week... So he's leaving tomorrow.

"Happy birthday Chris!" The whole family shouted as I walked downstairs.

"You're one year closer to death!" John joked while patting my back.

"Great," I muttered. They got me the same exact chocolate cake from last year. I'm not disappointed though, it's heavenly.

"We got you a surprise!" Iris smiled, hoping it wasn't going to be some male strippers. I am 16 and all..."Charlie!"

As I walked up to the door I heard John mutter "Why did you invite him?" to Iris and I was confused on why John was giving Charlie such a hard time... He's amazing.

I ran up to Charlie and he twirled me around. The first few weeks of dating is just pure bliss.

"Hey River, nice to see you again," they shook hands and I felt the awkwardness between them.

"Let's open presents!"

Charlie handed me his first, and it was The Breakfast Club. "Thanks so much."

Iris, John, and Mickey just got me more records and movies, and I was fine with that. River was last. He handed me the drawing of me right before he left. "River... I can't take this. It's yours to remember me by."

"But I want you to have it. So you'd remember me," he smirked, pushing the drawing towards me.

"River I'll always remember you. I'll see you every month on the big screen! You won't remember me without this... I want you to keep it," I explained. He nodded sheepishly and looked at the ground.

"That was the only thing I brought you. . ." The silence deepened.

"That's fine. I'm just happy you're here really. I'm happy you're both here." I glanced briefly over at Charlie, but when I looked back towards River, he was holding a distinct but subtle frown.

"Can I talk to you Chris," River whispered in our hug. I nodded and came up with an excuse to leave the room.

"What is it?"

"I-I just wanted you to know that I got the book of poems you intended to give me," he pulled it out of his pocket and traced his finger across the lines.

I didn't necessarily want him to have it so soon. Sure- it was supposed to be his birthday present... But as months went by I started to write poems about him... And Danny... And Charlie.