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

Poet in an Attic

"So how'd you guys meet?" His mother asked, looking at us through the rear mirror. I looked over to River whose face was blocked by Leaf.

"She ran into me with her bike." He joked with a friendly sneer. He looked over at me and bit his cheeks.

"That's unique," She chuckled and soon Joaquin joined in. I giggled with nervousness and continued staring out the window.

I could see through the rear view mirror that River was eyeing his mother as if he was trying to tell her something without talking.

Through the car ride, Mickey and Leaf played some hand games while the rest talked about music, the music they liked, the music they wanted to play, the bands they liked, etc. It was fun to hear their opinions and views on things, especially River. He had different perspectives than other boys I've met, and I desired his ambition.

We finally got to their house, which looked like any regular house in Oregon. They didn't seem to care about looks, but they did seem to love plants. Roses and daisies and tulips were everywhere, and the house was practically covered in vines. It was a very beautiful house and looked as if it had arms wide open to give visitors a hug.

I watched modestly as River waited for his family to walk in front of him so he could talk to me. It was really gentlemen-like for him to do that. "I can't wait for you to meet, Rain." He grinned. I could tell he was really excited that I was here and I was happy about that. I have never met anyone who was excited for me to meet their family.

We entered the house and I was greeted by an aroma of chocolate chip cookies. We then came into the kitchen where I was also greeted by a man with a long beard in an apron.

"Oh! I didn't realize we had company," he joked. He went to Mickey and shook hands with him. Then he put out his hand for me to shake. "I'm John."

"Christine," I smiled.

He smirked and replied, "Nice to meet you, Christine." He looked at me with his hazel eyes and I nodded. He politely turned around to finish what he was cooking.

At that point, it had gotten awkward so I just looked over to River. "So..." I broke the silence. He looked around to his parents, hoping they'd say something, but they didn't. They all dispersed throughout the room, trying to find something to get busy with. Then it was just me, River, and Mickey left.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps running down the stairs and a girl looking around my age came and introduced herself. "Rio... I see you've got another girlfriend now?" She smiled. She had huge, vivacious, emerald eyes and I couldn't stop staring. "Hi, I'm Rainbow. But you can call me Rain," She said sweetly. I beamed a smile at her and watched as she smoothed out her brown dress that matched her leather boots.

"Christine."

"Cool," She smirked.

"And who's this little guy?" She puffed out her lips and tucked her dark, thick curly hair behind her ear.

"Mickey." He flashed a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Mickey! How old are you?" He held up 8 fingers.

She was wearing a brown boho-chic dress, with white lace flowing around it matched with cocoa-colored boots that seemed to have been intentionally untied. I could tell that she was really fashionable and definitely made a statement through how she dresses.

"I am in love with your outfit," I almost drooled. It was unlike anything I had ever owned. All I wore were mostly my mom's old outfits from the '60s and '70s.

"Thank you," she said modestly, "I do feel like what you wear does mirror what you're going through or what you're interested in," She explained with an intelligent demeanor.

I never realized how smart the Phoenix family really was. Rain couldn't be older than 13 and she was very sophisticated and witty. I could also tell that she liked that bohemian style in clothing, and I admired it.

"Hey Rain, can we show her some music?" River finally spoke up. Rain checked her watch and paused for a moment, thinking if she has something else she needs to do or not.

"I guess we have some time," she agreed, "Get your guitar?" She asked him. He nodded and ran upstairs. "You can follow me," she turned to me. I grabbed Mickey's hand and followed Rain to the attic, which was decorated with sheer curtains and sparkling lights.

"So, this is our music hangout... We like to call it, Aleka's Attic." She looked around for something. Mickey sat on the closest couch and soon fell asleep. He sure was tired, so I didn't bother him.

"Aleka Zatic?" I asked. She nodded and picked up an acoustic guitar in the corner of the room. She started strumming a rhythm and harmonizing it with her voice.

"Your voice is so pretty," I complemented. She just smiled at me and continued strumming. I got up from the room, eyeing all the Bob Marley and The Beatles posters, and walked over to a keyboard.

I've always wanted to play an instrument, but I just didn't know which one to put time into. I banged on the keyboard with my fingers and slid across the whole board, making a very loud and obnoxious sound. Rain didn't seem to care though.

"So what does Aleka Zatic mean?" I asked casually.

"River likes to say something along the lines of some poet who used to write about his thoughts in this attic. And after he died, people read and discuss his views and opinions and spread his beliefs throughout the world," She laughed to herself.

"Not exactly, but closer than last time," River argued as he came down the stairs.

I thought over his words. What does last time mean? Could it mean that I'm not the only girl he's brought to his house? I felt doubts and regrets all of a sudden remembering Rain mentioning he brought another girlfriend over.

He walked over to me and watched as I hit random keys. "Doesn't seem like you know how to play," He sneered jokingly - although we both know it wasn't a joke.

"Well... it seems like you know how to play, Mr. Second Virginity," I laughed at my implied joke and he joined in.

"I really wanna learn... You know," he said, followed by more chuckles.

"Me too," I giggled, "Wait, what are you talking about?" I added, confused by the context.

"The piano," he pointed to the keyboard and tried not to burst out laughing.

"Ah..." I paused for a moment, thinking if I should say the virginity or the keyboard part.

"Oh, you love birds, stop flirting and let's get on with the jams," Rain teased with a hint of annoyance. It seemed like she was almost used to seeing River with girls. I hated thinking about that.