river didn't go back home the entire day. he was ashamed but he didn't know why.

river decided to go to the game, only for Martha. she intrigued the young boy. no girl has ever intrigued river phoenix.

the game started but Martha nor sean and donny were in sight. then there was a tap on river's shoulder and he said happily,"Martha!" but turned around to find out it was Donny. "did you just call me, martha?" donny said. river hesitated,"you must have heard wrong, I said donny." donny sat next to river,"why weren't you at school?" his fathers death crossed his mind but he decided he wasn't ready to share the news yet,"I wasn't feeling too great this morning."

river got up from his seat in search of martha. and there she was. she stood in a white top and high waisted jeans with her blonde hair flowing down. "Martha! martha!" she turned around and saw river,"I'm glad you decided to show, mysterious boy." river hesitated,"oh right, my name is river phoenix." martha smiled,"whata unique name, river. I like it. now let's leave this joint!" river questioned,"wait, I just got here!" before he could say more, martha pulled his arm, leading him out of the school and to where river's car was,"take me somewhere!" river's eyes narrowed,"I just met you, Martha!" martha smiled,"what does that matter?"

river and martha sat in river's old red truck, not speaking. the car was parked in front of river's home. "my dad died yesterday morning and I haven't gone home since." martha stared into river's eyes while she held both her hands in river's,"I'm so sorry, you should have told me." river procrastinated,"I haven't told anyone, not even donny. and the one time I actually wanna be home, no ones home." river stared at his house, no lights were on and no cars were parked in the driveway. so river and martha went inside, waiting for his families return.