Where I'd Gone ⌲ River Phoenix ((COMPLETED))

Hey Jude

We walked into the building and I was greeted by a crowd of thespians. "I didn't know there were so many people-" but River wasn't there anymore, I'm guessing he got lost in the crowd. "You're still here right Mickey?" I asked, hoping I'd hear a reply.

"Yep," he echoed behind me. I stretched my hand out waiting for his hand to fold in mine. As his fingers intertwined with mine, I snaked around the room wishing I'd run into the one guy: Wil.

As I tried to look around for him, I caught the gaze of River from a few feet away. He smiled but from that angle, I couldn't tell if it was at me or someone behind me. I decided not to smile back but felt bad about it seconds later. He then started walking over to the chairs and opened up his guitar case.

"Where's Mr. Hunk?" Mickey asked.

"I don't know," I replied. I started to think of scenarios in my head of the words I would say to Wil.

"Hey Wil," I would say.

"Oh my gosh, you are so beautiful," Wil would say. I would blush and start batting my eyes. He would get down on his knees and say, "Will you marry me?"

I would say "Yes!" With excitement running through my body.

"Dear Christine, I love y-" but I got snapped back to reality when Mickey screamed.

"What is it, Mickey?" I yelled back, startled by his sudden ear-splitting scream. 

"I... Have to use the bathroom!" He kneaded his eyebrows together and crossed his arms. I sighed with annoyance and then tried to find a bathroom.

Luckily I found one in the back of the room and Mickey sprinted in there like there was no tomorrow. "Hurry up!" I shouted at his back. I didn't want to be left alone in a group of professionals. I felt like an outsider without Mickey.

Suddenly everybody formed into a crowd surrounding the chairs. I joined after Mickey came out and soon realized River was playing the guitar. The tune he was playing sounded familiar... but I just couldn't catch a hook on it.

"Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better," He sang. His voice was smooth, yet still needed some more improvement, but it still made me happy and I had a sudden urge to sing along.

I cut through the crowd and joined him on a chair near the corner to get a better sound. "Remember to let her into your heart," I sang softly in the background. I loved all the Beatles songs because of my mom. She introduced them to me when I was just a baby, and I'm eternally grateful. "And then you can start to make it better." I got a little bit louder.

I guess River noticed me and patted the chair next to him. He began strumming the chords once again. I sat next to him, shaking like a cold puppy.

"Hey Jude... Don't be afraid." I felt myself harmonize with him and I knew it was magic. "You were made to go out and get her." It felt like a beautiful duet unfolding and I loved it. I wanted to fly, break free. I just felt at home when I heard our voices intertwine together and embody a beautiful melody. I looked up to the sky, knowing my dad was right there singing along.

I glanced shyly over to River and he looked over to me, but I quickly moved away as I knew my cheeks were getting red. For a minute I forgot I was looking for Wil, the guy who'd I've been infatuated with since forever.

We finished singing the next line, but cut it short because River hadn't learned the rest of the chords. As he finished the last strum, there was a roar of applause and I found myself smiling ear to ear.

River smiled over to me, etching little lines in his cheeks, and mouthed "...Beautiful." I couldn't catch the first word. I assumed he said that was beautiful. Then the crowd once again dispersed throughout the room and I got up to find Mickey.

"Mickey?" I shouted, hoping he'd hear me through the crowd. "Mickey?" I couldn't lose him.

"Found him," a frustratingly familiar voice said behind me.

"Oh, thank you so much," I said turning around. I found myself face to face with River... Again.

"No problem," he smirked. I reached my hand out to Mickey and we started to walk away. "Oh wait," River interrupted, "You were great... " he started to form a smile but forcefully moved his head away like I'd turn him into a stone if we'd have eye contact. "You know... like at singing," he said with a broken chuckle. The awkwardness was unbearable.

"Thanks, you were too," I smiled at him, and at this precise yet subtle moment, I knew, we'd be friends for a long time.

"You know, my middle name is Jude. My parents love that song, and I guess it speaks some truth... I was really made to go out and get her," he laughed to himself. I let out a giggle in response but then soon a surge of realization went throughout my body.

"Get who?" I asked, dreading to hear the answer.

"You."