Trust the Boy |River Phoenix|

Chapter 2- The Mall

A/N I know there's some inaccurate information for that time period such as her 'brick phone' haha just ignore it :)

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I picked it up and placed my ear by the receiver.
"Hey Leslie."
"Oh uh, hey Corey," I mumbled. He seemed to not pick up on my tone, if he did he was doing a good job at ignoring it.
"So... I was wondering if you'd like to come to the mall with me today," he asked.
"No actually. Not after last night."
"C'mon Les! This can be a chance to make up for last night! C'mon...." He whined. I sighed.
"Alright," I replied, exasperated. My brother stirred on his bed.
"Oh and by the way River will be there because his parents kicked him out the house," he sputtered, and the line went dead. Unbelievable. I started cursing to myself out of sheer frustration. Corey can be so stupid sometimes. He wants to make it up to me with the thing that caused him to have to make it up to me in the first place! By now, Sebastian was awake and was staring at me with a wide-eyed, confused look. It was only then that I had realized that I was still muttering curses out loud. Clapping my hand over my mouth, I muttered a barely audible apology before going to get changed. I tugged on a denim skirt, a plain t-shirt, and a hoodie. As I finished, I saw Seb had changed into his jeans and hoodie and was on his way out the door.
"Wait up," I hurried out the door to the kitchen. On the way down the stairs, I debated whether or not it was a good idea to go to the mall. I decided it wasn't, but Corey wouldn't let things get out of hand. That's one of the qualities that make him a great best friend. Second chances, right?

This morning's breakfast was toast that Ralph had burnt, and some fruit. I sighed at his lack of skills when it came to cooking, and continued to eat my stiff bread. I looked to my right to watch Seb desperately trying to butter his toast. Watching him struggle made my heart hurt for him, so I gave him my piece of slightly less burnt toast. He smiled at me and I hopped up from my seat. Grabbing my converse, I shouted I was going out and ran out the door. As I stood outside, I slipped on my converse as I sat on the step. Soon enough, Corey's black convertible pulled up that he snagged off his mom. He rolled down the window as I approached and I covered my eyes at the sharp sunlight glinting off the car. Looking past him, I saw River sitting in the front seat, staring into space. I shrugged to myself and manoeuvred my eyes back to Corey.
"You ready?" He asked.
"Yeah." I climbed in the back. My exposed skin rubbed against the rough leather interior of the car. I sighed as I put on my seat belt.
"Why so gloomy?" Corey asked.
"Ralph," I lied. I didn't want to start an argument and ruin the day.
"What happened with Ralph?"
"Oh, he gave me this," I lifted up my shirt and Corey momentarily took a look and almost crashed into a tree. Bad idea.
"Ouch," said Corey with sincerity in his voice. River caught a glance at it too and raised his eyebrows.
"How did he do that?" he asked. I couldn't tell by his tone if he was genuinely interested or not.
"He slammed the bathroom door into my side," I looked down, embarrassed at how pathetic I sounded.
"Don't blame him," River muttered, "You probably provoked him by being your usual annoying self." he finished with a wink as he turned back to face the front. I sunk back in my seat.
"Don't listen to him Leslie, he's being stupid, what really happened?" Corey said.
"Oh, well I was going upstairs after yesterday night and you know how my bathroom door swings outwards instead of inwards? Well Ralph threw it open when I was walking by, and it hit me." River snorted.
"If it hurts at any point today, I can drive you home, okay?"
"I'll be fine," I mumbled. River looked back and smirked at me. I turned the other way and watched the road and moving scenery, that was outside the window.

Not too long later, we walked through the grand glass doors of the mall. I instantly tugged Corey to the first shop with clothes in the window that I could see. He chuckled but let me drag him, even though he was way stronger than me. River reluctantly followed-hands in pockets. When he reached the store, I saw him automatically slide his sunglasses down to his eyes. I guess he didn't want to be seen in a girl's clothes shop. I flung out a short dress and held it up against my body, River dipped his glasses and gave me a disapproving look. I sighed and put it back.
"What about this one?" Corey diverted his attention from a group of chattering girls to the pink miniskirt I held.
"That's nice! Why don't you try it on?"he replied. I let out a squeal and followed his advice, changing into it. When I came out, Corey and River stopped their conversation, and River's eyes widened before he grunted, quickly diverting his attention.
"You look nice," Corey said.
"Not bad Macchio," River surprisingly gave me somewhat of a compliment. I smiled at him.
"I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me," I realised that it is probably the nicest thing he's ever said to me. I slipped back into the changing rooms and sat on one of the chairs. I thought about River, and whether he really disliked me. Would someone who didn't want anything to do with you even give you somewhat of a compliment? Shut up Leslie, you're overthinking.

After I changed out of the skirt, I heard a blocky tune. I recognised it as my brick, and answered the call. As soon as I heard the panicked voice, I knew it was Ralph.
"Leslie! Is that you?" he shouted into the phone.
"Yes! What is it?" I became more worried by the second after hearing his heavy breathing.
"Sebastian."
"Wait what? What happened?" I felt like I couldn't breathe either suddenly.
"He's got like 2nd or 3rd degree burns on his arms." My breath caught in my throat momentarily.
"How? Is he ok?" I choked out in a gurgly voice. I felt tears begin to stream down my face.
"Well, he went to his friend's house this morning and the stove caught on fire apparently, and he was in the bathroom and didn't realize that there was a fire,"he paused,"Until the entire bottom floor was engulfed with flames-he had to run through the fire." I froze.
"Oh my god Ralph, how is he? Is he gonna be okay?"
"Not too good, he inhaled a lot of smoke and they're trying to clear his lungs, no-one can see him yet." Tears continued to drop one by one from my eyes.
"Should I come? Or-" I tried to keep myself together, bearing in mind I was in changing rooms in a public place.
"There's no point, remember we should be able to see him this afternoon anyway, so I'll pick you up from-Where are you?"
"The closest mall to our house, see you." I hung up just as I heard River's voice.
"You decent in there?"he asked.
"Uh huh,"I sniffed. He pulled back the curtain to reveal a pale faced crying me. His face twisted into a frown.
"Corey asked me to tell you that he had to go- he forgot about his own father's birthday." he chuckled.
"Ok." my voice came out as a squeak.
"Uh, why are you crying?"
"It's nothing." He moved to a crouching position and placed his hands on my chin- moving it up so he could look into my eyes.
"Look, I know you probably hate me, but,"he looked like he was thinking,"I think I might care," River said with a look of sincerity.
"You think?" He shrugged.
"My brother was in a fire."
"Fuck...Older or younger?"
"Younger. Wait, how do you know about my brothers?"
"I listen sometimes."
"Cut your shit out."
"It's not shit."
"Prove it."
"All in good time Ley."
"You really paid attention?"
"Like I said before, I think I care."
"Then why have you spent the last 13 years of your life hating me?"
"I don't hate you. God Ley, I didn't think you took it all so seriously."
"Hmph."
"Let's just get something to eat." I was going to protest until I saw a look in his blue eyes that stopped me.
"Fine." I wiped away my tears and River stood up to his full height again before taking my hand as he pulled me to my feet. My knees turned to jelly and I fell sideways, leaned against the wall and stood back up again.
"Can you stand now?" His hand hovered near my waist.
"Yeah," I steadied myself.
"Where d'you want to eat?"
"You choose."
"What about that cafe?" I followed his finger to a quaint little French Cafe squashed between two clothes shops. Not something you'd usually find in such a commercial mall.

After we had a snack, I walked out of the mall with River.
"Thanks, um,  this doesn't mean we're friends or anything though, but, um, you came through when I needed someone."
"For sure." He went in a for a handshake, but I pulled him on for a quick hug before turning and rushing to the corner I said I'd meet Ralph. A car I recognized as my brother's pulled up, and I waved to him. I hopped in the front seat and covered my face with my hands.