Carrion. (Tony Perry, Pierce The Veil)

Carrion. [Pierce The Veil and Winston McCall]

6 Years After "Did You Hear About Your Friends In California" 

New Beginnings: 

"And that's wrap, great work everyone," the director yells out, a giant grin on his face. "Daniel, River, you were both outstanding!" 

I smile and laugh along with my costar. We were just wrapping up Quantum of Solace and I could finally say that I have been a "Bond girl" which is beyond my list of accomplishments. Not to mention that I'll start filming again for my lead role in (500) Days of Summer. It's been great. 

I say my goodbyes to everyone on set before heading home for the night. I moved back to San Diego, same house, actually. After my dad moved out, of course. I'm not longer his daughter, he has a new family with some model. We never talk anymore, not since before I left. But I love the house and with all the movies I've been in over the past 6 years, I can afford it on my own. Life was great. 

I haven't heard anything from the guys, well Vic, not since filming Sweet Home Alabama. I think their band broke up or changed names or something like that. I don't really follow any of that music anymore. I just can't be bothered, especially with my work life. It's been crazy, but it's been amazing. I'm no longer associated with my dad, I have my own name and I've done it by myself. 

I'm no longer River Torres, River Sinclair, River Vincent and especially not River Diesel. I was River Stone, actually. My manager thought it had a nice ring to it and I changed it before anything went to production in my early days. I've undergone a complete make over, new hair, new style, almost a new face, actually.

I was in a nasty accident a couple years ago due to substance abuse and it destroyed my face. Plastic surgery was definitely my thing for a year after that. But, everything could be worse, it could always be worse. I have a boyfriend, another musician. I've hardly dated anyone but when I have they're pop-punk band boys. Old habits die hard. This one's a little more hardcore though and he's an Aussie boy, lucky, I'm aware. I am indeed the proud girlfriend of Parkway Drive's frontman, Winston McCall. And I am definitely the lucky one. 

"Babe, I'm home," I yell as I open the door. We don't normally live together but he's just finished a tour and plans to stay for the summer to check out a few bands on Warped meaning he stays with me before I'll go see him in Australia. I walk into the kitchen and notice he's got headphones on and his back to me. I walk up and wrap my arms around his torso before pushing his headphones off. "Hi baby," I whisper in his ear before kissing his cheek lightly.

He turns and smiles, "Hey hon, you're home early."

"I'm done. We finally wrapped tonight," I cheer. Working a James Bond film had been tiring, mainly because everything had to be perfect to ensure that it was a box office hit. "And I am so glad to finally be home and spend time with you this summer at Warped before filming for my next movie starts." 

He kisses my nose before grabbing me a glass of water and a few pills out of a container. "Don't think I don't notice when you 'accidentally' forget to take these," he teases. "You're getting better Riv, but you need to keep taking the pills or you'll relapse."

I nod and swallow the handful. I'd struggled with depression after Mike and the guys, terrible depression. I've tried to commit suicide multiple times, abused various substances and then Winston fought his way into my life after meeting me in Australia.

"That wasn't so hard, was it?" He smiles at me before pulling me into his chest. "I know it's hard, but you're so strong and you're doing so well compared to how I found you a few years ago. I'm just glad you're okay now."

I sniffle and look up at him, a question burning in my mind. "Would you still be with me if I wasn't committed to the straight edge lifestyle?"

He gives me a weird look before chuckling softly and kissing my forehead. "Of course. Just because I'm straight edge doesn't mean you need to be. Just don't force things on me. I think you're doing a lot better now that you are though."