Chapter Text
River had ended up in America mainly because of some weird political conflict between his family and whatever other rich people were around. Typically, River cared a lot about these, or was aware of them at least. This one seemed particularly inane so River paid it no mind. And yet, it ended up being important enough to ship him off to the middle of nowhere.
“It’s a fairly large city,” his brother, Hawthorne, who was exiled with him, claimed.
River scoffed, “I doubt that.”
Thorne sighed. As far as River knew, Thorne was sent to America with him to look after him. For some reason, Juniper, the baby of the family at eight years old, wasn’t sent with them. Instead, she got to stay with family a few hours away in Italy. Sage, the oldest, stayed home. She was deemed “responsible”. Thorne probably would have been able to stay if not for River. River was not a problem child. He was a problem solver. Which admittedly sometimes led to issues.
Thorne and River were staying in a two bedroom apartment. Thorne had taken it upon himself to try to decorate. River hoped they wouldn’t be there long enough for decorating to matter. He spent the summer mainly holed up in his room, reading, although Thorne managed to drag him to eat, to the park or to the library occasionally. Now, school was starting. River stood in front of the mirror, considering. He was wearing well fitting black trousers, a white button down shirt and his favorite blue peacoat with a butterfly pin on the lapel. His curls were still pink, which was good because he wasn’t in the mood to re-dye his hair. He straightened, pulled his shoulders back and headed out to Thorne who was driving him to school.
“Are you sure you’ll be fine?”
“Yes. I will be fine. Please go now.” River was done with his brother.
Despite being 13, River had skipped a grade and ended up in high school. Also, the schooling system was different so who knew what was happening anyways. Thorne seemed concerned about River fitting in. River was never going to ‘fit in’, which he was already aware of and cared very little about.“Call if you need anything.”
“Goodbye Thorne."
River stepped out of the car, grabbing his bag on the way out. He gave a half hearted wave before walking inside.
School was school. He went to classes, took notes, ate lunch alone, and generally kept to himself. He made polite small talk with some people he sat next to in various classes but instantly forgot all of their names.
“Did you make any friends?” Thorne asked him that night.
“No.” River paused, looking up from the table where he was doing homework. “Did you?”
Thorne shrugged, “There are a few people in my science class. My lab partner seems pretty cool”
“Interesting.”
Thorne made them dinner which consisted of a frozen pizza and some salad. They hadn’t gone shopping recently.
“I’ll go this Thursday,” Thorne promised.
River ate without complaint.
They watched a stupid movie.
The main character had a cat.
River missed his cat. She was what he thought about for the rest of the movie. He hoped she was well taken care of.
Thorne shut the TV off.
“I’m going to bed. Don’t stay up past like… 12.”
River made a non-committal noise.
“River.”
“Hawthorne”
“You need to sleep. School tomorrow. Early… ish.”
“I am aware. Same as today.”
Thorne shook his head, “Okay. Sleep well.”
“Yes.”
As the door closed, River remembered to say, “You as well.”