4. Fools & Romantics.

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River sits up, heart palpitating so loud, he can hear it beating as if within his eardrums. With a fidgeting thumb, he opens the email. To further aggravate himself, he waits ten seconds, but nothing happens. Another ten seconds later, his patience breaks. Yet there was still nothing. He opts to wait another ten, but he gives up after three, the moment he remembers owning a laptop. The only thing in the apartment connected to the next-door neighbor’s Wi-Fi.

“Crappy phone!” River curses under his breath, chucking the device on the bed.

River then forces himself to his feet and begins skipping towards his uncluttered computer desk where his laptop sits, half-cracked. He opens it up, narrowing his gaze as the screen lights up and within seconds, he enters his password and smiles. He pauses for a second, even more agitated than before. Head swollen with trepidation and rising anxiety. River squeezes his two eyes shut, clicking the mouse once. He lets out a dry huff of air, then opens one eye.

After reading the first line of the email, both of River’s eyes open like saucers as an excited scream erupts from his lips. Using both hands to kill the sound by jamming them over his lips, he looks towards the door to see if James was nearby. Which, much to his chagrin, comes three seconds later with James bounding into the bedroom, a bottle of moisturizer in his right clutch.

“You chose the wrong bloody house, mate!” A war yell erupts from James’ lips and River fights the urge to burst into a fit of laughter.

“Um,” River gleams, and James’ frightened expression changes to one of relief when he sees the amused gaze he receives.

“Thank heavens! I thought you were being attacked by a supernatural being!” James announces, clutching his chest with genuine concern written in his eyes.

River steals a glance from James to the bottle of lotion in his hands. “So you came to my rescue with... that.” It was more of a statement than a question, and James frowns at the revelation. “You watch way too much, anime.”

“Uh, I don’t, and yes. This thing can be quite the weapon. You should never get this bloody thing in your eyes.” James places the bottle atop the cherry wood chest standing beside the doorway, placing his hands about his waist.

“What were you going to do?” River asks and James’ left eyebrow rises in limpid puzzlement. “Moisturize them to death?” River queries, and the man’s wide gaze dissolves into a frown.

“Most people would be glad to have such a caring boyfriend.” James recites a tad too dramatic, and River groans in protest, somewhat rattled by the title.

Most of their friends couldn’t tell that James and River were on a break. One that had lasted longer than any of them planned because it solved some issues, even when forced back into the habit of friends. Fortunately, the awkwardness didn’t close out the memories they continued to make, even with nights spent sleeping in separate rooms. They both itched for each other, but weren’t willing to sacrifice the practice of caution. Awaiting the moment they’d notice how much they loved each other, or how much more apart they needed to be. Routines had changed, and they left some pleasant things behind. Like James having his rowdy band of jocks shaking the living room, and movie nights spent eating junk food and drinking soda.

“Thank you for coming to my rescue with a bottle of lotion. I shall pay you in prawn before the night turns dawn.” River muses and James cocks an eyebrow in his direction. “But as you can see, I’m fine and more excited than stripped of my heebie-jeebies.”

“That’s what that college girl scream was?” James asks, befuddled and River face-palms himself. 

“I’m excited because I got the internship.” River deadpans and James scowls, addled.

“Black & Co?” He asks and River gawks at him, incredulous.

“No, for nasty big butts dot com.” River mutters dryly, “Yes! For Black & Co., Kipling!” River snaps and James glares at him, but it soon turns into a broad smile.

“No bloody way!” James exclaims and River grins, proud. “And, Kipling?”

“Yes, bloody way!” He chirps in response. “Also yes, Kipling.”

“Strangely, I’m not offended by that reference, but I knew you would get it, love. You just have to crush the interview. Your credits, references, and recommendations opened the doors. Now it’s your turn to shape your own destiny, by crushing that interview.” James says with confidence and River blushes, an enormous grin on his face that hurts after a while.

“The interview’s Monday!” River announces, rising from his seat and sitting down beside James on the bed. “Shit.. The interview is Monday, Monday.”

“Monday, Monday?” James’s smile fades, worrying River.

“Yeah,” River nods, his smile peters out a little when he spots the look on James’s face. “I have to go see my mom.” His words renders James a little unnerved. “Why, what’s up?” He asks with a sigh.

He hesitates and River frowns, unable to hide his displeasure. “My father was coming into town and I wanted you to meet him.”

River scowls as he ponders the outcome of not going to see his mother. He considers not having to go, but the hospital only allowed visits twice per week in that ward. So River had a decision to make, and it was enough to drown his spirits. Yet, meeting James’ father was not on the list of things River was eager to do, even after a year.

“Ugh, you’re right.” River grunts, falling back on the bed, ruffling the bedspreads. “But meeting your father? James, that’s a little... m-much. Don’t you think?”

“It’s not. I don’t care for this break, but I understand it’s important if I plan to marry you someday.” James recites the words, with fluid precision and the lobes of River’s ears shudder along with the rest of his body.

“You’re crazy. You know that right?” River asks, and James gazes at him with a nervous grin as he lays back.

Lost in thought, they both gaze up at the ceiling. River was thinking of his memories, and James had opted to remain quiet. To give River time to think about his options. Make a plan of action that would hopefully include James. For the thought of going their own separate ways scared them both in ways they’d never admit.

“Do you think she’ll wake up?” River asks, and James can only offer a shrug in response. “What if she does and I’m not there?” He queries, but James didn’t have the answers he sought, only advice that would be unpleasant for River to hear.

“It’s been a year,” James sighs, his worry for his best friend and partner, obvious and genuine. “This internship is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If your mum wakes up from her coma, I’m sure she’ll understand why you weren’t there.” James advises and River grits his teeth, considering James’ words and his own feelings.

“The Interview is at three, and visiting hours start at two, which is a week from now on Monday.” River acknowledges, and James nods.

“Your mother lived her life, despite how it turned out. Let nothing stop you from living yours,” James advises as he stands up, nudging River’s cheek with a gentle pinch.

“Ok,” River purses his lips, rising to a sitting position.

“I will make us some pasta, and you can tell me all about this new internship.” James chuckles and River blushes, smiling, thankful he had someone like James.

“Ok,” River nods, and he raises an eyebrow at him. “Love,” River lets out, exasperated, and James points a finger at him, pleased. 

“My dad will love you.” James says in an inaudible whisper. It reminds River of why they had risked their friendship for a thrilling romance. 

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River’s fingers tap the steering wheel of his 2004 Mini—A little car nestled between two larger vehicles, both expensive and a little too gaudy. His impatience stalwart as his idle gaze drifts to the passenger seat, observing a blue file-jacket. Stacked with his resume and other irrelevant files and documents he’d typed out of interest. 

River gazes ahead once more, just in time as the traffic lets up. Going twenty-five miles through Manhattan’s streets, River gasps as he gets a glimpse of the Black Co. building, hovering in the distance. At least a quarter mile away, and much bigger than River thought it was. 

Its dark tinted windows, encase the concrete, marble, granite, all reinforced in a circular structure. Crawling 60 stories high, shimmering from the glare of the sunlight. River marvels at the building, his mouth forming an O. Wonder enlightening him when his thoughts echo in his head.

“That’s one prominent ass building,” he murmurs to himself as he comes to a halt at another stoplight. “Two more days. Don’t screw this up, River Kennedi.” He scowls, viewing the red lights—with three cars ahead of him.

The city hums with enterprise and existence. People go back and forth, drinking coffee whilst rushing to catch their train, or whistling to hail their cabs. An unbroken stream in the sprawling concrete jungle that was Manhattan. Alight with its many groups of people, like an inhabited forest with a spicy, diverse commixture of wildlife. A place of potential development, affirmation, and some lurking menace. 

A smile brightens River’s face, and his mind lifts when a curious, fresh feeling—a sentiment he wasn’t expecting. The inkling that perhaps he might enjoy working amongst New York’s brightest. He gazes out at the ocean of people and buildings, rumbling in many movements and tones. Slowly easing his car behind the ones before him, his eyes smiling again as though trapped in a daydream. Yet there was an ambivalence in his brown orbs. River wasn’t certain if the dream would sustain, but at the very moment, it is a splendid feeling.

A horn blares behind River, and for a moment he breaks from his reverie, watching as the street lights shift to green and River feels his nerves heighten, but his excitement builds to a daunting degree, so extreme that it disturbs him, how he sits there squirming. Fingers gripping the steering wheel, mind frazzled by a burgeoning nausea, but he speeds up. 

A sigh follows when he arrives at the end of another traffic-filled block and the red light clicks on. His lips harden, but he stops despite being tempted to cut it across the junction.

“Yay.” He deadpans, a sound ensconced by the practical conclusions he invokes, however juvenile. Reminding himself of the hope, the dream of something big happening, even when events around him seemed to shatter to fragments.

It disrupts his joy when a car crashes into his rear end and jostles him—penetrating his nerves with a disconcerting and intense tremble. He jams his foot down on the brakes out of instinct, heart racing in his rib cage at perhaps the speed of light. “What the-,” He murmurs, but all eyes are now on him, and whoever had slammed into the tail of his old jalopy.

He gazes around furtively, struggling to see behind him with a frantic gaze, but there is only the top of a much larger vehicle. River releases his seatbelt and jerks his door free to step out, eyes scanning. Pondering his plight, or rather what impediment he’d have to confront just a day before his big interview. Voices fill the street, and so did the owners of the gasps and whispers that file around to stare. Partly anxious, and awfully apprehensive, River’s palms press against his face when he sees the dent in his car.’

“No, no, no, no, no!” River exclaims, livid, agitated.

“Wonderful.” A statement follows, so profound, River’s legs shake when a towering figure looms beside him. “So much for driving myself today.” The man mumbles again and River turns to see Sebastian Black, not near as dismayed as himself.

Unfortunately, River is oblivious to the individual standing before him with devilish, smooth features that display humility. A trace of mischievousness, coupled with his perfect ebony fade and taper. Sebastian’s unblemished skin is flawless against the blue, dual-breasted suit he wears. Stressing his charming looks that shout his individual dignity and purpose.

“That’s all you have to say?!” River turns to him, promptly captured by the fellow’s fierce gaze. “What went on back here?” River’s tone, although soothing to the ears and virtuous, throws Sebastian off.

Struck by the younger, delicate creature before him, Sebastian’s lips separate and tightens. Unaware of the reason his chest constricts and his heart performs a skip, he attempts to assuage himself from the momentary enthrallment.

“Sorry, but this isn’t my fault… entirely. For all I know you-... you could have been on your... phone?” Sebastian replies with a sour glare and River scoffs, then spins his gaze backward at the wreckage. The man’s pricey Chrysler seemed to have only suffered a few scrapes whilst River’s car suffered a dent the size of a baseball in the fender. “It’s just a scratch, you’ll be fine.”

“Nice try, but you rear-ended me at a red light, not the other way around.” River gestures to the streetlights that turn green the second he glances at it. “You’re not as smart as that suit, but you sure have the ego to match.” River retorts, clenching his fists, reminded of the phone in his hand.

“Well, you don’t have to insult the suit. Miles worked hard on this.” Sebastian straightens his collar with a plastered-on look of insouciance and cockiness etched on his face.

After an anguished groan, River decides it best not to escalate the situation. “Let’s just... call our insurance companies and have this figured out.” River shakes his head, then pace once he’d figured out how to operate his own cellphone. “God knows I can’t afford to fix that.” He signals to the dent, but Sebastian frowns. “What’s your name?”

“Let’s both just calm down and work this out. Do you even have insurance?” The giant of a man asks, rendering River frozen in place.

Incredulous, River turns on his heels and glares at the man with his phone halfway to his ear. “What makes you assume I don’t have coverage?” He demands, his hand with the phone in its clutch falling to his side. “Great. Out of all the people to rear-end me, I get some judgmental... buttface with... a car that could probably pay for all semesters of college.” River slaps his forehead, yet Sebastian takes offense to the statement and he pushes forward-closer to River.

“Did you just call me... a buttface?” Sebastian’s frame hovers over River, yet the shorter man is far from daunted by the scowling fellow who stands just two feet before him.

“I c-could think of worse things.” Coming to terms with a peril he could suffer, River takes a step backward. “Now back the hell up. Your um... tall frame won’t daunt me.” River threatens, yet Sebastian takes heed when he gives River a once over.

The man has to take a stock, clear his head, and prepare himself to call Grover. The way River’s sharp gray eyes drill into Sebastian, he has to reconfigure himself. Pushing aside the part of him that would lead to judging River Kennedi. A youthful man with the fire in his eyes, strength in his voice and charisma to his step. Such maturity, planted too deep for many to see unless they knew the baby-faced stranger—or they had Sebastian’s gift of perception.

“You don’t have to be so defensive, kid. I’m sure high school is critical, but you were to blame just as much as I.” The defense seems weak, unlike River’s tenacity.

“In the current structure, there are cameras all over New York. We’ll discover who is liable when footage from my tiny but ass-kicking insurance company’s remarkably intensive investigation comes out.” River’s voice lowers, and a few gasps come from the dissipating crowd. “Also, I’m not in high school, sir. I don’t appreciate you judging me when you’re not that worried about your own car.” River smiles and Sebastian frowns in consternation to the younger man handling him in that way.

“God, you’re a breath of fresh air.” Sebastian smirks, but it merely aggravates River further when the man fishes out his wallet, and plucks out a bundle of hundred-dollar bills he gives River. “This should more than cover the damages.” He saunters away with a swagger in his step.

Still in awe, River watches As Sebastian gets into his car, backs away, and drives off without as much as one more glance. “How fortunate. I’m still registering a claim, whoever you are.” River grunts, counting the money, astounded when he hits the first thousand. “What the-,” he flounders, skittish about the eyes around him as he wraps the bills back together. “Did you all like the show?” The crowd disperses with a chorus of awkward murmurs. “As you were.” River frowns, trudging back to his car with character and an awkward flare in his wobbly gait.

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