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

Wasted Love

June 3, 1987

I met up with Charlie at the Strip and he looked so happy that I was there with him. "Let's get in line for the bumper cars," he smiled, wrapping his arm around me. I noticed everyone was staring at us- like we were some kind of provocative couple.

That's when I realized- River was right behind me. "River! What are you doing here?" I could tell he felt awkward being the center of attention.

"I called you a bunch of times," he said nonchalantly.

"I was at school. As soon as I got home, Charlie called me," I said as I glanced over at all the people staring at us. I knew I was snapping, but I also knew there was no way of hiding my contempt for River's recent treatment towards me.

"Well... Leaf wanted to see Mickey... They haven't stopped writing to each other you know, and my mom wanted to see some neighborhood friends, so the whole family just decided to stay for a few days. I didn't know you were going to be here," he narrowed his eyes at all the people peering at us.

"I'm happy you're here River, I really am, but I just want to spend time with Charlie tonight if you don't mind." The line started to move.

"Yeah- yeah. Go ahead, I'll just be around." He kind of smirked to himself and silently walked away. A bunch of girls in the line ran out and followed him.

"At least the line is shorter I guess," Charlie chuckled.

But then I saw him. Him. Not River, but Danny. He was with Alex and Colbie. Waiting in the same line, just a few feet away.

"Hey guys," I gave them a fake smile. Danny turned to me and almost frowned. He didn't seem to expect me here. 

After a few more minutes of waiting, we finally got in our cars. Charlie and I would bump into each other every second, but I couldn't help but to notice Danny did too- but harder.

"Lay off on the bumping!" I chuckled and he smiled and just hit harder. He's been treating me so differently ever since Priscilla broke up with him. After the bumper cars Danny, Colbie, and Alex kind of strayed away from us, and I was fine with that. I didn't want to see Danny or River anymore.

"Is something wrong?" Charlie asked, sipping on some Coke. We had been dating for over 2 months now, and it's perfect don't get me wrong, but it's like I don't know how to feel around him.

"No, nothing's wrong. It's just Danny," I huffed. That's just the thing about Danny though... The way he makes me smile, how every joke he tells me is hilarious. How he can annoy the hell out of me in one second and make me feel special the next.

"What did Danny do? He's never liked me... His friends always made fun of me, and he just kind of sat back; not knowing what to do."

"I'm sorry," I muttered sheepishly. He shrugged and we headed over to the cotton candy stand. Charlie was used to the bullying by now, and I felt so much sympathy for him: the boy with the screwed-up family. He whistled to the tune of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road without giving me any eye contact. Maybe this boy is old enough to be singing the blues.

"I'm going to head to the bathroom, be back in a bit," Charlie said. After he left I waited at the concession stand for a minute or so until Danny approached me.

"Can I buy you some cotton candy?" He asked as he took out a 20 dollar bill from his pocket. He seemed so different... Surely this is not an act of kindness. It has to be some type of affection.

"Sure, why not? Thanks," I smirked and he returned the favor. He handed me the blue cotton candy.

"I figured you like blue... It's the color of your backpack, and your eyes," He mumbled the last words, but I heard them. He actually pays attention to my eyes... That made me feel more loose, and less apprehensive about the whole Halloween thing between us. We have been through a lot.