Touring With The Strokes (editing + updating)

Didn't you know there was a choice?

I woke up the next morning with no memory of last night, but within the next few seconds it all came flooding back. Julian and River.

I grab my phone on the side table and see a missed call. It was Julian.

I call back, and it rings only a few times before he picks up the phone.

"Hey." Julian says, hesitantly.

"Hey."

"So, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out today? Like maybe take a walk around Central Park around two?" Julian explains, into the phone.

I look at my clock, it was currently 12:34.

"Yeah, I just got to take care of one thing first." I say, thinking about River, and hoping what I thought wasn't true.

"Alright. I'll pick you up when you're done."

"Thanks. I'll see you later." I say, before hanging up.

It was weird talking to Julian and being in contact with him again. But it also felt strangely comfortable.

I quickly get ready, throwing on jeans, a worn out t-shirt, and vans. I let my hair flow naturally, and quickly head out of the door.

I tried to get to Rivers as fast as I could, hoping he would be there. I shot him a few texts, but he wasn't answering.

I saw his car in the lot, so I assumed he was home.

"River?!" I exclaimed, knocking on the door. There was no answer. Maybe he wasn't actually home.

"River?!" I pounded on the door.

I twisted the door knob and it was unlocked. I'm not one to enter without permission, but my curiosity was getting the best of me.

"River?" I cautiously walked through his apartment.

I'm startled as I enter the bathroom. River was passed out cold on the ground.

"Holy fuck." I exclaim frantically, rushing down to see if he had a pulse. Luckily, he had one.

"River! Wake up!" I scream. He wasn't waking up.

I rush into my bag, and grab my phone, calling 911 with shaky hands.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"My friend is passed out on the floor. Possibly from a drug overdose." I explain nervously, as I hold onto River's hand tight.

"What's the address?"

"325 5th Avenue. Apartment 19D.  Come quick." I panic. I hang up the phone, and soon the ambulance arrives, taking River to the hospital.

While I'm in the ambulance I quickly give Julian a text.

We arrive ,and River is taken into urgent care while I wait in the lobby.

After an hour, the doctor says I can see River in his room. I walk down the hall and into the room, still unaware of what I should say.

"Hey, River." I walk over next to the bed, and sit down next to him, "How are you feeling?" I ask.

"I've never been better." He says sarcastically, giving me an asshole smirk.

"Really man? What the fuck happened to you? I've been so worried." I give him a glare.

"Are you the one that found me?" He asks, his face more serious.

"Yeah, and you're fucking lucky I did." I exclaim, "I thought you were going to die." Tears forming in my eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Gia. I really fucked up." River says, his eyes tearing as well, and his voice cracking.

I grab onto his hand, "Just tell me what happened. I'll be here for you, alright. You're my friend." I smile.

"So." I speak, hesitantly. "Are you doing drugs?"

River nods, "Okay."

"After the bar, last night, you didn't go home huh?" I question.

"What happened was I got into the cab with Summer and Ezra, but got out like three seconds later, lying to them that I left my phone inside." River explains.

"Instead, I waited on the opposite side of the street until you know, the dealer came." He explains, sounding a bit embarrassed.

"Why?" I ask, looking genuinely hurt. "How did this start?"

"I can't say!" River quickly states, letting go of my hand in anger.

"River, you have to be honest with me. We want to help you." I look down at my phone, and see a bunch of text messages from Julian. I forgot to tell him I was at the hospital.

"It's going to fuck up everything if I tell you. I can't." He says, panicking.

"Just tell me."

River sighs, "In England, I blew all my school money away on drugs and when I ran out, I came running here because I have a friend here."

"I'm not really studying abroad, my friends been giving me money that I've been using for the drugs."

"Who's the friend?" I ask, concerned.

River is hesitant before he speaks. "It's Ezra."