A New Life (River Phoenix)

And He's Back

Days later, I was awoken to the sound of Piper's cheerful scream and heavy footsteps.

Confused, I sat up in my bed examining the clock.

7:15. It was early.

Before I could get up, my bedroom door bursted open.

River.

He looked different than I remembered; his hair had been cut short for the film and his face looked rougher. It was like he'd aged numerous years since I 'd last seen him.

Regardless, he was still the River that I loved so dearly.

My eyes widened as he ran to me, tackling me against my bed and planting multiple wet kisses all over my face.

"I'm home!" He yelled. "For now, anyway."

I couldn't help but laugh out of sheer happiness. I was so surprised to see him again.

When his energy finally died down, we got up and entered the living room.

I forgot how much I missed the smile on Piper and Flea's face as they held each other, closely.

"Carmen!" Flea yelled, ripping himself from Piper and pasting to me like a magnet. "You haven't grown at all!" He joked.

"What am I? Five?" I sassed. "You can't expect me to grow that much."

He laughed and returned back to Piper as I did to River.

"Well, there's no time to waste! Let's go!" River yelled as he tugged me towards the door.

"I'm not even dressed," I protested, releasing from his grip. Before he could refuse, I ran off.

"I'll be quick, I swear!" I yelled from my room.

-

"So what did you have planned for us?" I questioned, raising my eyebrow at him.

He laughed and threw his arm around my shoulder, stuffing his other hand in his pocket.

"Who needs plans?" He wondered. "Let's just do whatever our impulse tells us too, hm?"

I nodded in approval to him as we walked down the Strip.

We walked aimlessly for a while, talking and observing the other pedestrians, until a young girl came up to River.

She roughly grabbed his shirt and looked adoringly to him.

"Oh my god," she started, clearly flustered. I took a step back from them.

"Are you River Phoenix?" She asked, earning them both quick glances from few bystanders.

Gently, River guided her to the edge of the sidewalk.

"Yes, I am." His voice sounded gentle and harmless.

"I'm a really big fan," she started, and I could tell by her rosy face that she was. "I love all of your movies and I have so many posters of you in my room. And now I've met you, and I can't tell anyone. If I do, my parents might think that I'm crazy."

River laughed and held her shoulder lightly.

"Don't worry about that," he insisted, smiling to her. "Why don't you give me your home phone number, and tomorrow I'll call and talk to your parents."

I couldn't help but feel my heart sink as she recorded her number and gave it to him.

Before walking off, they quickly embraced and she left with few tears in her eyes. Clearly, star struck.