stars don't shine

August 23, 1985

i made sure i woke up at 6:30, so i could shower and and make myself look decent. i creeped out of my door, making sure not to wake River.
i went acrossed the street and around the corner to the nearest bake shop.
"excuse me, miss?"
"yes dear how can i help you?" the lady behind the counter smiled and looked at me.
"wow i didn't even know bakery's were open this early. uh, i need a cupcake, for a birthday." i said.
"some are not, i like to open early to get things like making cakes and cupcakes done. i just put a fresh batch in around 6:00 dear. they should be out soon."
i smiled and sat down, and made small talk with her.
"is this for a friend? boyfriend? parent?" she asked with a sly smile.
"oh uh. my um, boy, friend?" i said confused.
"oh, i see. i know what you mean."
soon she was done decorating and put it in a box for me, "no need to pay. you're a very lovely lady, please have a great day and i wish you the best of luck with your boy troubles." she said and opened the door for me.
as i walked back to the hotel, i smiled. it was only 7:15 when i made it back.
walking back made me think, do i like River? is that what this is? i shook my head and headed up to my room.
i unlocked it and slowly came in and sat down on the couch where river had slowly leaned himself against the wall while i was in his lap.
i started petting his head slowly and he started to wake up. he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked at me, "goodmorning." he said with a smile.
"goodmorning," i pushed the box towards him. "happy birthday, and i'm sorry for last night."
"hey don't worry about it. it's fine i promise. what is this?" he asked looking at the box.
"it's just something i wanted to get for you."
"you didn't have to hun. you're too kind." he said as he opened the box.
"do you mind i shower here?" he asked.
i shook my head and he headed into the bathroom. i left the room and went to his room to get him clean underwear and a change of clothes, along with his tooth brush and cologne.
i knocked on my bathroom door, "are you decent?" i asked.
"yes!" he replied, i came in with my eyes covered just in case and sat his stuff neatly folded on the toilet seat.
i went to my bed and started reading my books. it was so hard to read when all i could think about was how i really felt for River. i've known him for such little time and it already feels like i feel something. does he? will i ever see him after this summer?
"hey, thank you for bringing me some clothes." he said, interrupting my thoughts. i smiled at him, "you're welcome."
"hey um, the cast actually has a free day today, would you maybe want to go out for some lunch?" he said scratching the back of his neck.
my stomach fluttered and i had that stupid tingly feeling all over.
"yes, i'd really like that." i smiled at him.
we heard a bunch of arguing coming down the hallway and then pounding on my door.
i opened it and heard screaming instantly in my face.
"wil, jerry, take a breath." i said, they stopped arguing and looked at me.
"now, wil, what do you have to say?" i asked.
"of course, make the fat kid go last." jerry mumbled.
i rolled my eyes, "i really really want to take you out and do something but jerry said i don't have a chance. and a lot of other stuff." he said.
"okay, and jerry?"
"i want to take you out and i would benefit you more than wil would! i-" i cut him off,
"i am sorry to say but i have plans for the day." i said and looked at River who was twiddling his thumbs.
"if it helps, you both are way too far out of her league. you're not missin much!" Corey said as he came between Wil and jerry.
"hey you're a real asshole you know that?" River said.
"oh yeah?" Corey responded. "yeah!" he shouted.
"and what are you gonna do?" Corey smirked.
"I'M GOING TO RIP YOUR GOD DAMN HEAD OFF!" River shouted jumping towards him.
i grabbed him by his arm and pulled him back into the room.
"you're pussy, Phoenix. quit sucking up for little miss nobody and focus on the better things in life." corey said.
i turned around, i was boiling. i jumped at him but before i could even land River wrapped his arms around me and pulled me back and shut the door. at that moment, my heart stopped, and my anger was gone.
i took a breath and sat down.
"don't cry, please don't cry, it's okay i promise." River said pulling me into a hug.
i wasn't going to cry, though i wanted to. i just sighed and threw my arms around his neck, and i could feel him grab my hair and bring it to his face to smell.
we walked out of my room and into the hallway where Corey was, walking behind us. River pulled my closer and intertwined our fingers. my heart stuttered, and i swear it skipped a beat.
"i'm sorry your birthday didn't start out too great." i said.
"don't worry about it. it's only 8:10, we still have the rest of the day." he smiled.
i think i am falling harder than ever for this human being, and i am scared.