Teaching River

Chris

MYSTIQUE

"Hi, I'm Chris." Chris had a dazzling white smile- which was odd considering he smoked so many cigarettes- dark brown hair, and the most captivating emerald green eyes. I could barely breathe as I felt the shyness and nervousness sink back into my bones. Popular people made me nervous.

"H-hi." I said softly. Lacy's eyes widened at my lack of confidence. I suddenly felt a shove from my side and saw River giving me a pointed look. Obviously my "teacher" was not quite impressed with me. He then put his hand forward in a way that said, go on.

So I took in a deep breath and said, "And obviously I knew your name was Chris. River can't shut up about you! In fact, at first I thought you and River had a thing!"

River looked blown away with eyes wide in shock and his mouth agape. Chris and Lacy were none the better as they both looked at me, dumbstruck. Chris quickly recovered and said, "Well, you taught her well Mr Louman."

River turned to me and asked, "Where did that come from?"

I was about to say you, but I didn't want him to feel special so I just shrugged.

"Must be the atmosphere. Or maybe I'm transforming into some kind of Jenny Monster!" I said the last part in a spooky voice. They all laughed and soon Jay joined in on our conversation. He didn't look quite impressed with me though and as soon as he came, grabbed me away from River and wrapped his arm around my waist. Clearly someone was jealous.

"So, how long have you and Jay been dating?" Chris asked motioning to us both.

"Um what... no we aren't, I mean, no I'm not-"

"We're not dating...yet." Jay said. My heart kind of melted slightly at the "yet" part.

Chris had that mischievous smirk on his face and so did Lacy as they both glanced at each other.

"Okay, if you say so. So how do you know my beautiful Lacy?" He asked giving Lacy a kiss on the head. She blushed slightly. River on the other hand rolled his eyes at the two, clearly not at all impressed that his sister and bestfriend were now dating.

"Well, she was the first friend I made... So that's how I actually met her." I said.

"Oh, I see. Well you truly are something else. Why did you need confidence lessons again?" He asked.

"It's not that she needs confidence, she needs more self-confidence. She is extremely confident, she just needs to believe in herself. That's where my job comes in!" River said, wrapping an arm around me in a friendly way. Jay, however, misread the situation and moved River's hand away, using his own as a replacement.

"So, tell me about yourself Chris," I said taking a seat across from him and Lacy.

"Well, I have been River's best friend since I can remember. I hate math and English and could seriously need a tutor, and I recently started dating your friend Lacy here." He said looking at Lacy and giving her a kiss on the cheek. "She's my first serious relationship."

"Okay, I see..." I said. I loved how in love they looked and I wished for a second that one day I could have the same.

It was then that River pulled me away from Jay who looked angry as I was dragged over to the snacks table.

"What do you want now Skyscraper? I'm doing good aren't I?" I asked frowning.

He rolled his eyes and told me to keep quiet.

"Yes, you are, but I called you here to get you away from your overpossesive boyfriend over there for a moment. Chris can't be himself when Jay is there because he still respects him too much. So I need for you to get rid of Jay, okay?" But I could sense that this was not the real reason at all.

"No, I'm not getting rid of Jay. And I don't think that's the reason you want him gone. What is it?" I asked.

Skyscraper huffed.

"Fine, I don't want him there because I don't like him okay? And I don't like how he treats you like a possession!"