Moonlight Drive [River Phoenix]

Chapter 19

My hands tightened into fists at my sides as I stared at my mom from where we stood. River looked to me with a worried expression, seeing as I was quickly getting upset. Before he could say anything, I stormed over to the group of people my mom was standing with. River tried to grab my arm, but wasn't quick enough.

My fists remained clenched at my sides as I approached her, my face burning with anger and disbelief. I pushed past a few people, ignoring their rude calls at me as I drew near my mom. Her back was turned to me at this point as I stopped in front of her, my heart pounding in my ears. 

"Mom," I spoke firmly, anger seeping into my tone. She didn't turn around. "Mom!" I raised my voice several pitches, resulting in her facing me. Her face drained of color as if I were a horrifying creature. "Hana, I-" she began before I cut her off, River standing behind me a ways back. 

"Don't," I spoke shakily, letting a breath out, "don't say anything. How could you? Dad is heartbroken! So am I! How can you just leave us without saying anything and then go out partying only a few days later?" I let all my emotions out, the people she came with giving me judgmental and confused stares. 

"Don't you dare talk to me like that, I'm your mother," she spat back, which earned a scoff from me. "You're not my mother anymore. You left us, you left me! You obviously don't want to be around me so no, I will NOT consider you my mother anymore," I snapped, tears filling my eyes quickly. 

I took a step back and grabbed River's wrist before my mom could say anything else. "C'mon Riv, let's go," I spoke lowly, trying to keep from crying. Just when I was beginning to cope with everything that has happened, it had all fallen apart.

River walked me home in silence, and I could tell he desperately wanted to say something to me to make me feel better. Once we arrived at my front door, I let out a long sigh and looked at down at the wooden panels of the porch. Then, the tears I had tried so hard to keep back poured out.

My shoulders shook as hot tears fell from my eyes, soft sobs escaping my lips. After a few seconds, I had felt warmth envelop my body as I cried. River wrapped his arms around me tightly and held me close to his chest as I let out all of the pain I had bottled up for the past week. He stroked my hair gently as I tried to calm down, feeling at ease in his embrace.

After a few minutes, I slowly pulled away and wiped my eyes. River took a step back as well, giving me a bit of space which I had appreciated. 

"I'm gonna head home now, okay?" he spoke with a slight nod, giving me a soft smile before beginning to turn away. 

"Wait," I called to him, biting my lip gently, "please stay."

River turned back around and looked into my eyes with a soft gaze. "I don't want to be alone anymore, River," I spoke quietly, in almost a whisper.  He nodded once more and made his way back to me slowly. I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly, pulling him into another warm embrace as we stood out in the cold night.

After another few minutes went by, I pulled away and led him inside. I quickly looked around for my dad, but found him already asleep in his bedroom. I led River back up to my bedroom and shut the door behind him quietly. I took a seat on my bed and patted the spot next to me, which River complied and sat on. 

I leaned my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes. "Wanna listen to some records?" I asked quietly, earning a soft "mhm" from him. I got up and rummaged through my crate of oldies, pulling out an old Johnny Mathis record. I put it on my turntable and soon enough, the soft and slow music began to play. I turned my lights off and made my way back to River.

I fell back onto my bed, exhaustion consuming my body. River hesitated for a moment before laying next to me, staring up at my ceiling as the music filled the quiet room. I looked over to him and smiled to myself, subconsciously reaching up and brushing his hair out of his eyes.

He smiled and looked down at me, a sleepy look on his face. I bit my lip and moved closer to him, resting my head on his chest and closing my eyes as I listened to his heartbeat. He wrapped his arms around me after a moment, holding me close to him.

We laid there in silence as the music lulled us both into a night of peaceful sleep.

A/N: wow a long chapter for once!! i was feeling extra soft tonight so here u have an angsty & super fluffy chapter :) i have so much inspiration for this story again, it's insane! thank you guys so much for continuously supporting my work, it means the absolute world to me! also i didn't rlly revise this bc i got lazy so sorry for any typos hehe