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

Beautiful Sunset

Suddenly Rob stood up on a chair and turned on the microphone. "Thank you guys so much for coming. We're looking forward to working with you in a few weeks. Have your lines ready!" He smiled out into the crowd and hopped down from the chair.

Phew, I was just happy to get out of here. But before I could get out, the crowd got into a traffic mob and I got stuck in it. I decided I should just wait at the back instead of getting trampled over so I squeezed myself through.

Mickey's hand was locked hard on my wrist, following anywhere. As I finally reached the back of the room, I found River, sitting on a chair and making sure his guitar case is locked.

I joined him and smiled, "it was really nice meeting you and singing with you. Now I understand what all the girls say about you." He looked up and smiled back.

"You should see what goes on at my house." He said with a soft giggle. "There are music sessions all the time. Oh, and what do the girls say about me?"

"Nothing.... and I'd love to, your house is probably more exciting than mine." I rolled my eyes playfully. He nodded and set his case on the floor.

"I have nothing to do right now," he said, "Maybe you could check out some music Rain and I have put together."

"Sure, who is Rain?" I asked.

"She's one of my younger sisters." I nodded and turned away but I knew River was still looking at me. My cheeks were getting red and I couldn't do anything about it. Mickey looked at me with his hopeful eyes and knew right then I was nursing a teeny, tiny crush.

"Someone's got a..." He yelled out but I stopped his mouth from saying anymore with my hand. The last thing I'd want is to River thinking I'm weird, and then I act weird because of it.

Mickey let go of my wrist and sat next to River as I pulled on my clothes, trying to act busy. "Skin it," River grinned. I turned around and I watched Mickey and River 'skin it'. I smiled because I knew it was from the script.

"Looks like the crowd is finally clearing up," I observed. I checked Mickey's watch to realize it was already 5:00 pm. I had a feeling though it would've been later. We got up and started walking out. The sunset beamed out in front of us. I could've sworn that was the most beautiful sky I've seen in a long time.

"So beautiful." He said with a wide smile.

"I know right..." I agreed, dropping my jaw in awe.

"No, I'm talking about you," I turned to him and realized he had been staring at me the whole time instead of the gorgeous sunset. I coughed nervously, not knowing how to respond. I turned my gaze back to the sky.

"Thanks, really, but I think the sunset is way more beautiful than I am." I try to be modest when it comes to flirting and compliments, mostly because I have no idea how to take them.

"No really, I enjoy looking at beautiful people. You are unique." I couldn't help but blush. It was evident that his every syllable flirted.

"Well, now I know you're not a virgin." I joked. He was confident, and that was the dead getaway for me. His expression changed into confusion.

"You are right." He bounced back. It felt extremely awkward and unnecessary to be talking about sex at 14. I raise my eyebrows, watching as he slyly leaned over to me. "Actually, to be fair, you're half right about that. I did lose my 'first' virginity at an extremely inappropriate age." I let out a snort-laugh waiting for him to continue on about his unusual life. thinking he was joking. "Laugh all you want," he chuckled, " but I'm hoping to lose my 'second' soon." This kid was sophisticated. He seemed to know where he wanted to go and how he was going to get there. He had this almost little spirit of adventure to him - a little teenage ambition for growing up fast and being ahead of his time.

"Ok, Mr. Second Virginity," I laughed. He winked at me playfully and I felt uncomfortable, almost like he was going to jump right on top of me and do it. But he didn't. 

He also had this sense of innocence to him, which I craved. It's like he could sing you every curse word but still make it sound sweet and fluffy. I don't know what's with this kid, but I liked it, he was a complex story I was dying to read.

I watched as more and more cars came around and picked up their kids. Before I knew it, it was just me and River left. We were just sitting down on the closest bench and just watched the sunset fade slowly into the trees. It was a warm, peaceful moment and I didn't want it to leave.

"So, you coming with us?" He asked, breaking the silence.

"Sure, if it's no problem, otherwise I would've had to bike home." I looked over to Mickey who had laid down on my lap, slowly falling asleep. I pet his soft hair as River started talking.

"What are you going to do with your bikes?" He asked, looking genuinely concerned.

"Oh don't worry about it, they were rentals, never really cared about them," I reassured him. He nodded in agreement and continued watching the dying sunset.

Finally, a car had pulled up in front of us and River went up to the window. "Can I bring a friend home? Just to show her our music, you know, she's a Beatles fan," He smiled at a woman with short, curly brown hair in the front seat who I'm guessing is his mother. He turned back to me and motioned me over.

"Hey love, hop on in," she smiled sweetly at me and I smiled back. She had the same teeth and fangs as River. I scooted next to him and his little brother, who I had learned was named Joaquin, but he wanted me to call him Leaf. He couldn't have been older than 10.

5 minutes into the car ride, River nudged me on the arm. I turned to him, still holding the same smile. "You can stop smiling you know," he whispered with a light chuckle. His laughter warmed me in ways a jacket couldn't, and I couldn't help but fall into a state of euphoria while with him.

"Right," I giggled and watched out the window till the embarrassment went away.