This part occurred a month before chapter 102 when Ione said Al made River scared in his life.
~~~
River Jude Bottom or his family would call him River Phoenix now was having another episode he never knew he had in his life. He rushed out entering the bathroom and locked himself over there for a while.
Today was a big day for him because
Washing his face with the iron-smelled tap water to refreshen his tired face and saw the reflection was staring back at him.
His blonde hair cut short, blue pupils surrounded by red veins and pockets below his eyes.
He had been stressed out; not only from the film premiere but also trauma he had when he was a little boy resurfaced again.
It didn't help when he was trying some drugs and smoking pot again yesterday, although it was only a little.
He had been doing it since last year on shooting location of
Then the two of them began their drug misconduct for the rest of their shooting activity. From consuming alcohol, smoking weed, and sucking cocaine in the set in Oregon.
It didn't affect their performance on set, so they continued doing it every time they finished their shots, and tomorrow morning, they went back to their usual self.
Also, sex was the only thing he had in his mind since he consumed that damned things. He always had an erection every time he was thinking about a woman. He can't stop those thoughts.
He had a secret that he didn't try to hide at all. That his parents were in the cult called Children Of God. He still had a little resentment at them because of it.
He lost his chastity when he was 4 years old with a girl in the same cult.
It brought a traumatic moment to him. He swore to celibate when he was 10 until 14 years old. Then his obsession about hooking up was let out like a broken dam.
After the shooting was done, he was back hanging around with his best friends. It was at that time he realized that his best friend is the anchor to keep him sane in this mad world.
It was at that moment he realized that friend was not someone who brought you to the cliff of the abyss but someone who pulled you out from that abyss.
He thought Corey was his friend but Corey only cared about a moment of pleasure. He stopped using that substance, drinking alcohol, and hooking up since he was back in LA.
He never dared to try those things again or else, the big daddy would be very mad at him. Yes, they called Al a daddy to just mess him up. They got an eye roll from him a lot and he was used to their shenanigans now.
Also, Al was an older brother he never and wished that had. Al was very caring towards him and everybody else.
When he was in that cult, he didn't have self-possession such as money or anything precious.
So he needed to spend his days sang on the streets to get money or else he and his siblings won't be able to eat. He had spent so the rest of his life became the shoulder to lean on for his siblings
For the first time in his life after meeting Al, he had someone to rely on, it was not a bad experience for him to depend on someone else.
Also, his traumatic past had lessened since he met his new family.
They enjoyed their life to their fullest. Al, Max, Anthony, Robin, Ione, and one more additional adult on the group Keanu.
Al ever told them how he hated drugs. He felt so guilty doing drugs, afraid that would disappoint Al, afraid he would disappoint-- Laura...
Yes, Laura; he had a crush on her the moment he laid his eyes on her.
He knew Laura since she was 13 and he was 14 at that time when she was not yet grown into a fabulous woman.
He enjoyed her quirk and they had become a close friend since then. Although she was a bit airhead, she was an interesting girl.
Then puberty hit her like a truck. He was just 160s cm that time and she grew a head taller than him. It made him fall harder for her.
But with Laura, it was different. He saw her as a woman and yet, it different. He cared for her, want to know more about her. His heart beat rapidly, his mind was wrecked, his gut had butterflies, unlike with any other woman.
Thinking about his second first time again, he suddenly had a massive erection.
'Fuck, it happened again. It must be the drugs.' He thought and felt shame again.
He can't be like this. He needed help. He must stop doing drugs. He also needed to pent up his desire to someone else, he wants it to be Laura but he just can't do it, he cared too much for her.
She was like a goddess to him, he would never able to treat her like that.
Should he go to therapy? No, it's not necessary. He just needs to open up with his family and maybe he must tell Al about this.
"River!! Hurry up, Al and Laura are here." His brother, Joaquin knocked on the bathroom door.
Oh yeah, he invited Al to come to his premiere, and how happy he was when Al said he would come. He said he would come to pick him up and his siblings to the premiere.
Not only that, but this is also the first time he asked Laura to come with him to the premiere.
Well, they had a few dates previously, after the accident when she was wrecked and drunk, she had been more open at him and accepted a few of his invitations, but nothing serious happened.
Until a few weeks ago when he asked her to be his date for the premiere. She was stunned at first but beamed in happiness and even hugged and kissed his cheeks.
Did she also feel the same as him?
He didn't know whether she was interested in him or not. Tonight, tonight, he would ask her the million-dollar question. He wanted something more serious to happen between them.
"Coming!" He screamed.
He got out of the bathroom and found Al was playing with all of his little siblings. There was also Gwen, Al's girlfriend coming with him.
'Well, looks like Al was ready to show his girlfriend to the world.' He thought.
River admires Al very much in terms of celebrity. He said that he liked his fame but he always saw it as a necessary need.
One day he asked him whether he hated his fame or not. He answered.
"You can't escape the vanity of being a celebrity in this industry. It's a double-edged sword. Without fame, you won't get the role you ever wanted. Yes, there might be paparazzi or constant bickering from media who wanted to know your private life. As long as you only see the bright side, you won't be stressed out with it."
Then he asked again about privacy and he answered,
"Well, if you encountered any annoying paparazzi, don't answer their question or getting provoked to answer..." River nodded at that time, "Just punch'em in their face and break their nose!" Al said wisely like he was sage of six paths.
He smiled recalled that time. He didn't know whether he was serious or not, but his face was saying that he was true to his words.
Al never bothered with media, and somehow able to keep his privacy from the media. Although he got constant harassment from gossip tabloids, he never worried about that.
He started to joke with him that his position as a big brother in his family may be taken by Al.
But Al just said that he might be a daddy to these guys, as Robin had said to them.
His siblings all liked Al, they've met in one of their gatherings a few years back. After he was done playing with his little siblings, he stood up and Gwen came to him and hugged his arm.
Al gave a peck to Gwen, turned his face to him, and said, "You ready Riv? Laura had dressed to the nine and I hope you won't let her down."
"Yes, where is she?" River asked, he was quite surprised at himself about how impatient his tone was.
"She's outside talking with Rain, Summer, and Jodean. Go approach her and make some impression." Al slapped River's back and pushed him outside.
When he went outside, his jaw was hanging to the floor after he saw how beautiful Laura was.
Her long blonde hair was sparkling in the glitter of lights, curled on the end and hanging on her left side.
Her perfect sculpted face, high cheekbones, and light make-up enhanced her already beautiful face. Her red scarlet lips made a harmonious contrast with her bright blue eyes that sparkled in the dark.
She wore a shoulder-cut one-piece navy blue dress that reached her ankles. Her dress made her bosom looked bigger, her thin waist was visible from naked eyes and her wide hip was perfect beyond measure.
"Wow, Laura, you are so beautiful."
She laughed in embarrassment, her face tainted with red, "Thanks, yourself are not bad too."
Both of them didn't realize that their distance getting closer and their bodies were sticking like magnets. Their face was close enough just like they were going to kiss until they heard a cough.
They immediately separate themself and looked at where the coughing sound came from.
"Guys, maybe you can do that later, we are getting late for the premiere." His sister, Rain said while tapping her left foot and looking at her watch on her wrist.
River and Laura's faces were turned scarlet red and avoid each other gaze.
Al came from inside and said, "Okay everyone, let's go." Then chuckled at the awkwardness that was going on between River and Laura.
~~~
They arrived at the premiere. Any premiere isn't complete without the red carpet present on the occasion.
Both River and Laura were having a photo shoot on the red carpet, along with Al and Gwen, then the four of them taking a picture together.
Mostly, their attention was turned to Alphonse, asking him about his next film and the new girl beside him or where is the girl who he previously took to the premiere.
When asked why he was here, he answered that his friend had a role in this film and saw how close he was with River, everyone could guess who was his best friend.
Al gave a vague answer to the media, and confirming his relationship with his girlfriend then walked away from the red carpet in a heartbeat.
As the premiere would begin, they finally entered the theatre hall. Sometimes their steps halted due to some acquaintance who just want to say hello to them.
River and Laura sat close to each other and lean their body at each other like what couples would do. This made River sure she also felt the same as him.
As the film was playing from the beginning 'till the end, he heard some people crying or sniffing their nose. He also could feel Laura was sobbing beside him, especially when the part where his character died because someone had stabbed him.
The story ended with the following words: "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?"
River's heart clenched, he did something stupid like doing drugs, he needs to tell them his problem to his best friends and they would forgive him. This film really hit him in the heart.
When the light illuminated the theatre again, everyone was giving this film standing applause. River felt overwhelmed with the attention. Laura also felt very happy for him and kissed his cheeks. It made his face brighten with red color.
The director of
He thought that this River Phoenix boy would be a rival to Alphonse Brandt, but seeing how they interacted with each other, they were so close like brothers.
Two monsters were born in the same year, he wanted to know how many talented people this generation would bear and he can't wait to meet them.
First, it was Alphonse Brandt, now there was River Phoenix. Both of them are natural on the screen.
Would this become Marlon Brando and Paul Newman again? Who would be Marlon and who would be Paul?
~~~
Every premiere besides having a red carpet, of course, there would be a celebration party, especially if the film was predicted to be successful.
Al and Gwen blended with the celebration party crowd. The last time River saw them, they were talking with someone.
He guessed it was Stephen King, Al said he had another business to attend to and it must be for meeting him.
Leaving both Laura and River alone at the celebration party. Laura was intrigued by the buffet on the table and leaving River alone.
"Rivy," Somehow Laura started to call him in a pet name, "Can I get that food on the table? It looked tasty." She said with her saliva dripped from her chin.
He was laughing so hard on his mind, "Of course Laura, you can take all the food from the table, but mind the manners, Al would be embarrassed if you are dirty from it."
"Pfft, yeah right, Al has been so caring with me lately. He won't be mad at me anymore." She puffed her chest.
"Oh really? Remember how you forget to wash Bella and Lola last week."
Laura's face darkens, "Ahhh, yeah that." She then laughed awkwardly. "Okay, I will keep myself clean when taking the food."
She suddenly disappeared and ran to the buffet, leaving a trail of dust. River chuckled and shook his head, he wished Laura would stay like that forever, that's the thing he likes about her.
He then smiled when he saw how innocent Laura was when she picked up foods and drinks.
Suddenly he was approached by someone he knew, his acquaintance, Corey Feldman.
"River, brother, why are you here alone?" He asked. River felt that Corey was high by the way how slurred his speech was.
"No, I'm waiting for my friend there picking up food." He pointed at the buffet table.
"Damn, what a babe, you score yourself a good ones Riv," Corey exclaimed.
"Don't say that out loud, she's Alphonse Brandt's little sister and my friend." River warned him.
"Shit, then I will back down. I don't want to be the second Charlie Sheen." He joked, "Oh yeah, hey Riv. Want to continue what we are doing in Oregon?"
"What do you mean Corey?"
"You know, the thing." He grinned. "Yoh can bring your girlfriend too, a babe like that must be interested in taking these things."
River walls crumbled. He remembered how good it was taking those substances. Not only brought his sex drive up but also calmed himself.
He snapped from his thoughts and slapped himself. He must not lose to temptation.
But Corey didn't give up. He kept pestering River to go with him and enjoy life with some cracks or weed.
Corey began to be an annoyance. He decided to satisfy his request and follow him but he won't be doing it. When Corey passed out, he would escape the room and live his life like usual.
"Ok, but I don't want to involve her with those things. And I still have to accompany her here."
"Chill bro, it's just 15 minutes, then after you take it you can go back to your girlfriend and maybe get the best fuck you had in your life with her."
Laura who was enjoying the banquet was interrupted by many assholes who hit on her or said that they could make her famous to become an actress.
Laura didn't care about those things. She had a dream to become a designer and model. She didn't need their help, her brother is the person she depended on the most, and she knew what he had planned for her.
Turning down all of their requests and carrying the full plates of food, she got to the place where she separated from River.
Her face paled when she didn't found him in that place. 'Where is Rivy!?'
She was searching for him and asking everyone about River Phoenix. Then she was brought into one of the rooms where River might be there.
They said he was in this place and when she opened the room, she saw him kissing a whore! She also saw everyone in this room had a cloud in their eyes while some people were sucking a white powder from their nose.
Anger rose from her chest. She knew what he was doing, getting high. Al had told her about drugs and anything else.
And she also so furious at how that whore was kissing his River. Then her heart numbed, a slight pain appeared on her heart.
River who was still kissing the woman heard someone was calling his name.
"Rivy?" The feminine voice came to the entrance and suddenly felt his stomach fell into the gutter.
Laura saw him kissing a girl and he could saw sadness and anger reflected in her eyes.
Laura turned around and left the scene, River chased after her but lost her in the crowd.
He lost her. Then he felt a hand was grabbing his shoulder and dragged him to the secluded corner where he thought no one could see them.
It was Al who dragged him here and he was furious. He could see the anger and a glow in his amber eyes within the darkness.
He had never felt such fear in his life. He would rather be faced with his alcoholic father and fought him than dealt with furious Al.
Al then punched his face and he felt his nose was broken by that punch.
"You awoke now?"
River nodded.
"Good, let's go home and an explanation will come later. You made two worst mistakes. I'll give you one last chance or else, you will regret this forever. Understand?"
"Yes..." His head bowed in fear and shame, "I'm sorry Al."
"It's not me who you should ask forgiveness from." Al's tone was full of venom.
Al couldn't believe that history ran through its course whether how hard he did to prevent them.
He should have paid attention to River more when he was shooting that film. Alas, he also had business to attend to.
The thing he needed to do for now was to mitigate the damage. Both Laura and River were many of the people he cared about.
Al didn't know whether he had sucked it or not, but when he saw what's in that room. He might guess that he had done it whether it was tonight or long before.
To Be Continued...
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