Through Thick and Thin ~ RIVER PHOENIX (On Hold)

Chapter 3

Ana-Rose and River walked onto the park grounds, arms around each other for support. The day was still a gem, with the exception of the emotions. Ana-Rose was now wiping many tears off her face, River asking for an explanation. "Okay, Ana, what's wrong? Did you receive a call, did someone do something to you?" Ana gave a cough and wiped one last tear.

"No, I think I'm just a bit tired," she answered.

"No, this isn't you when you're tired. Tell me," River demanded. He wanted to make sure his best friend had the help needed.

"It's sort of personal," she replied, her voice shaking. River pursed his lips and hugged her tighter.

"Well, come to me for anything," he told. "Now, where's your lucky pen at? Lucy the Lucky Pen!" He said, making his voice goofy for "Lucy the Lucky Pen". It was an inside joke they had made at Ana's mom's office. Ana laughed.

"Tucked in your ear, Mr. Computer Desk!" She yelled in a British accent. The both chuckled. "Thanks, Riv. For, making me laugh," she said with a bright grin.

"Absolutely anytime." Ana smiled and used every gut in her body to ask River about his situation with Rain.

"How did, how did the talk go with Rain?" She asked as they both walked around the field. River looked at her from the corner of his eye; he wanted to see what her expression was when she asked.

"Yeah, about that. We decided I'd give Emilia a chance for once," he said. I knew it, Ana thought. She grinned.

"I'm, um, happy for you," she said, still grinning. I knew it, River thought.

"Thanks," he said, internally disappointed.

"Hey, uh, is Joaquin going to the community dinner on Saturday?" Ana asked to change the subject. Joaquin was River and Rain's younger brother, five years younger than River, two younger than Rain. Joaquin was at a day camp everyday for a week. He would be learning self-defense for defending himself at school. A gang of "cool kids" were bullying him, everyday, swinging punches at his head, leaving bruises on his eyes. The school didn't pay attention to bullying at the time, it was tolerated the same way chewing gum during class was. Joaquin had to find help himself. His parents have tried calling authority before, but the other kids' parents and the kids themselves acted innocent and told the police he must've fallen.

The Park Allen Community Dinner was a tradition carried on from many years before. Joaquin would be missing out this one year due to the bullies' fault. "Maybe," River said, "We're asking for a day off for him. He loves the meeting. Last year he entered all the contests and stuff. He'd be very sad if he didn't go. At least he's got me to deal with the bullies." Ana laughed.

"Pft, you're so full of yourself," she joked.

"Nope, just super awesome," he said, jumping up to try to touch the basketball net above him.

■■■

Ana-Rose scribbled onto her math homework, moving her head to the beat of her songs. She wrote down another sentence in her notebook when she heard a loud thud upstairs, where her room is. She threw her books on the floor as she rose up from her bed to go see what happened. She creaked the door open slightly to reveal River on the floor, wincing as he rubbed his leg. "River?" She asked, opening the door to help him. River looked up and rose his eyebrows.

"Oh, hi. I was coming in as usual when this thing got in my way," he said awkwardly, holding up a book. Ana laughed and took his hands.

"Boy, you scared me. Wanna come do homework downstairs?" She asked, leading him out of the room and downstairs.

"I don't have my stuff," he said, brushing his hair back.

"Just tell me what question you're on. I'll give you a sheet if paper. When's your's due?" Asked Ana, taking a lined paper from her homework.

"Homework is all you do, Ana. Mine's due Wednesday," he said, sharpening his pencil.

"Next week?! Oh my gosh, mine's due tomorrow. Better to finish today, though. And I do other stuff, see? The New Kids are singing with me in the background," she said, picking up her textbook. River rolled his eyes. He got back up and went into the kitchen.

"Hey, Bethany. What are you baking?" He asked, peering through the glass of the old, rusted oven. Bethany, Ana-Rose' sister, was always baking something new. She loved to bake all day and create her own recipes. She hoped to work with Macy at the bakery one day.

"Just lemon cupcakes. I'm making the icing, though. Orange-zest and chocolate flavoured," she said, mixing melted chocolate.

"Interesting," River said. He walked back to the living room. Ana-Rose was sitting there mumbling lyrics to a song. "You're done?" River asked, surprised.

"Yeah, see, that's what happens when you focus," she said. River grinned. Ana-Rose looked so peaceful and pretty singing her favourite song. River smiled down at her. He got distracted staring down at her, Ana still not noticing. He turned around instantly when he heard Bethany giggle.

"Get over here and try it, you idiot," she said laughing. Ana got up to her feet and beat River to the kitchen.

"Wait, can I have one?" She said grabbing one.

"I was gonna say yes, but it looks like you already did," Bethany said shrugging. She looked at River and stuck out her tongue. "I saw that, buddy," she informed. River blushed and took a cupcake from the tray. Ana glanced at him. They made eye contact and Ana looked away quickly.