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

Unwanted Grass

"Sure, why not?" I finally answered.

"After River finishes with the milk money scene, we'll meet up and head out," He said.

I nodded and walked over to the corner, trying to hide from any responsibilities I had to face. Work had solely become a burden for me, and it was almost torturing. I didn't want to be here, and I didn't want to be with River after this next scene is over. I don't even want to be with Corey either... I barely even know him.

"Actors to the studio please," Rob said through a bull horn. Wil came out from his trailer and came into the set background. I was dreading the moment I'd see River. He was in a white shirt and blue jeans, and I thought he looked quite a lot like James Dean. "ACTION!" Rob yelled out and leaned back onto his chair.

"Christine, you need to wear this so we know you're an assistant on set," One of the producers whispered quickly and put a key card necklace over my head. "We need you to help with wardrobe, follow me," He motioned towards the makeup counter. But I really wanted to stay and watch the scene... "Make sure none of the clothes have tears, hair, or any mysterious stains," He added. I nodded and proceeded to check the clothes, but as soon as he walked away, I watched the scene.

"I just wish... I could go somewhere where no one knows me," River cried and it looked really believable. I never knew he was such a great actor. But then Rob yelled cut and ran up to River.

I couldn't hear what he said very well, but it was something along the lines of "Think of a time an adult has let you down."

After Rob left the stage he started up the cameras again. I could tell River sat there, kind of dumbfounded. He looked as if he was about to cry, but I couldn't tell if it was just an act - or part of the scene. As he sat down, he quickly wiped away some tears, and that's when I knew that it really hurt him. As the cameras rolled, I saw the tears come back again but this time his performance was rawer. What Rob had yelled at him seemed to have lacerated his heart.

"Christine! Clothes!" The producer turned around and noticed me slacking off.

"And cut!" Rob yelled out again. He ran over to River again and embraced him, knowing that the words hurt him more than he initially intended them to. "Thanks, everyone! Have a good night!" The set lights shut off and everyone starting packing up. I stood at the exit door waiting for Corey and River.

After a few minutes of trying to find the exit in the inky darkness, I heard someone call my name.

"Hey Chris," I couldn't recognize who the voice belonged to, and all I could see through the surrounding darkness was just the slightest notion of a human silhouette. I froze up but I couldn't see him hence it was too dark. "I'm sorry..." River.

I was too fragile and transparent so I had to say it's okay... But I had to stop saying it's okay... When nothing's really okay.

"It's okay," I kind of huffed or scoffed, hoping to get it in his head that I was lying. I didn't want to hurt him after what Rob had told him so I kind of reserved my anger a bit.

The studio lights turned on again, nearly blinding me with the sudden flash. As I finally fluttered my eyes back into focus, I found myself lost in his emerald eyes. "You don't seem okay." Thank god he caught on because I was definitely not in the mood for explaining it.

I rolled my eyes and sarcastically added "...No..."

"Look, Chris, I'm feeling horrible... I had to do a movie. I started working on Mosquito Coast a few days ago... But I did call you back last night to rain check," He leaned back onto the wall and faced away from me. "Around midnight to be exact." Wait... But the producers called me last night... Around midnight to be exact. "And you didn't pick up," He said, interrupting my thoughts.