Save Me

Chapter 15

A/N

So I don't want to give anything away, but I feel this is important to address. In this chapter we finally meet River for real. It appears uncomfortable between him and Athena, but it's supposed to be that way. I won't give too much away, but River pausing between words and sentences, remaining silent for long periods of time, coughing/ clearing his throat, and appearing frustrated while speaking is supposed to happen. You'll find out in later chapters why this happens, but just be aware of it. I try to make things obvious without being too obvious, you know?

Chapter 15

The room is mostly silent except for the dull music drifting from the speakers and a machine whirling behind the counter where the employees whisper softly amongst each other. I glance around briefly at the empty booths and tables, a sure sign that it's a Monday afternoon and no one is recovered enough from their busy weekends to do anything other than go home after work or school.

I pull my mug of coffee closer to me, the black liquid not the least bit appetizing, but I needed something to warm me up as the temperature outside has already began to drop again. I wish for stable weather so that I don't have to keep taking my layers on and off throughout the day, but in the Northeast, stable weather doesn't truly exist.

River clears his throat for what must be the third time in the last five minutes and I find that I actually begin to enjoy the sound. When people seek my attention, it's most often because they want something and the conversation is completely one sided. With River, I feel like I'm an equal to him and he isn't seeking an unqualified therapist like Mia or money or a favor like Luke. I don't think River wants anything except for my company.

"I'm not great with talking," he tells me suddenly, staring at the thin layer of broth at the bottom of the orange bowl in front of him. After River insisted on buying my meal, I just went with a soup and coffee since I didn't really understand if this was supposed to be us just hanging out or a surprise date. Seeing as how I've never been on an authentic date, I'm unsure how it actually works.

"Me either," I say, trying to bite back a smile as I realize the uncomfortableness between us actually makes me feel comfortable. With other people, I've never been able to rid of the uncomfortable feeling that communicating brings, but River's long pauses and lack of questions makes me feel at ease, despite how strange this whole encounter is.

River pushes his empty water cup to the side and I think about how strange it is that he doesn't use ice, even just one or two pieces. All the things he does are so out of the ordinary that it always draws my attention to him and I almost feel guilty for observing him like he's a piece of art in a museum. I have enough knowledge of him to consider him art, but it would probably be weird to him for me of all people to think that about him.

"I-um," River starts, his eyes moving to the left of him to the parking lot outside before quickly meeting mine again. I see something change in him, like a look of defeat as he dismisses what he was about to say and takes a new strategy. "Mia's told me about you."

For some reason I find this funny and a soft giggle escapes before I can stop myself, my hand quickly coming up to cover my mouth as if that would take it back. My cheeks flame in embarrassment and I glance away briefly, feeling strange that River of all people is the first person to make me laugh in what feels like years.

"Why is that funny?" River asks, a soft smile lighting his face, but not really reaching his eyes. I get the feeling that River wants to be more outgoing and often tries to, but something, maybe out of his control, holds him back.

"Sorry," I apologize immediately, a habit I might not ever be able to break thanks to Luke. I don't want River to feel as though I'm laughing at him, incase that reason plays a role in why he doesn't socialize or speak. "I'm just not sure what there is for her to say about me."