I can't even remember how many jobs I've applied for today. It's taking a lot longer than usual considering I haven't had any WiFi set up in my apartment yet. I've been here two nights and the next appointment I could get for the box to be fitted is on Sunday. So I've been making the most of my mobile data to hotspot my laptop which is painfully slow.

Yet I've been patient. I have nothing better to do. Until I'm seconds away from submitting a cover letter and my CV for an amazing company. One that sounds absolutely amazing to work for. Just as I lean over to hit the submit button, my mobile stops working.

My eyes blink at the action, noticing how the WiFi icon is now light grey instead of black. "Fuck," I curse to myself and rush to my phone.

Zero data left.

I slump back against the chair. "Great."

My eyes scan across the screen. Today is the last day to apply. I could run over the road to a cafe and tap into their internet but the thought has my stomach churning, I've not yet mastered the act of leaving the house and doing normal social activities by myself.

I chew on my lip and debate what to do next. My thumb flies through my phone, checking how much it would cost to get more data. My eyes almost bulge out of my head at the price. "God," I rub a hand against my forehead and stare back at my laptop.

Then I glance at the door remembering River. He told me that if I ever needed anything.

No. I can't go knocking on his door. But he did tell me which number he lives at for a reason, he wouldn't say it if he didn't mean it. Right?

Before I can think more nonsense into my head, I slam shut the laptop and grab my phone. I walk straight towards the door, not before checking my pocket for my keys. As I approach River's door, I raise my fist and knock.

I step back and face the wooden door. One second ticks by then two and suddenly I am panicking. Shit. What am I doing?

When there is no immediate answer I turn around and head back to my apartment, what a stupid idea. Of course he has better things to do on a Thursday morning.

The sound of a door unlocking echoes in my ears but I keep walking. "Alex?"

I stop as soon as he says my name. For a second I take a breath, then another to make sure that my lungs are actually functioning.

"Sorry, I was just in the shower. Is there something you need?"

Slowly I look over my shoulder, River's hair is dripping wet and he's dressed in a white t-shirt and denim jeans. I shake my head at him, clutching my laptop tighter. "No, don't worry. Sorry for bothering you."

Before I can take another step, River moves closer into the hall. "Alex. You're not bothering me at all. What did you need?"

I stare into his emerald eyes. He's being genuine, that's obvious. He wants to help but suddenly I feel hot inside, my cheeks are most definitely stained right now. So I clear my throat and look to the floor in an attempt to hide it.

"I was wondering if I could borrow your WiFi so I can upload this CV and cover letter," I swallow to dampen my throat. "The Sky man is coming this weekend and I've just run out of data."

When River smiles it's like I had nothing to worry about in the first place. "Of course," he nods and beckons his head into his apartment. "I doubt it will work from over there but you can come in."

My mouth opens but when I don't say anything immediately I shut it again. River is still standing in the hall waiting for me to move, so I take one step closer and then I follow him inside his apartment.

I take one quick look around and I don't try to make it a rude glance, just an observant one. I'd hate for someone to come into my house and examine every little thing because I would want to know what they were thinking on the spot.

Instead I thank him and River guides me to his table where I place down my laptop and open it up. He hands me a piece of plastic that has the WiFi name and password on and I smile at him gratefully.

When River perches on the chair beside me, I quickly type in the details and wait for the internet to reload. Once it's connected I hit the send button and it's gone. Another application down, a step closer to finding a job in this small town.

"What job are you applying for?"

I glance at River through my fair lashes. "Oh," I clear my throat, not expecting the question. "I went and studied at a culinary school. It's always been my dream to be a chef and work in the kitchen of a modern or contemporary restaurant."

River's eyes widen like he's impressed, that does nothing for my glowing cheeks. "Oh wow," he leans his head onto his fist. I take particular notice of his ring on his index finger that has a black band with silver detailing. "So you're an amazing cook then?"

My finger rolls around the trackpad so I don't have to keep staring him directly in the eye. "I wouldn't say amazing," I laugh hesitantly. "But I think I'm pretty good, yeah. I'm really into experimental foods at the moment. You know Heston Blumenthal?"

"Yeah, that guy who does all the fancy foods. He had that show where everything was edible but it didn't look edible."

I nod. "Yeah that one. I mean, I'd never be as great as him but something like that. Working at a restaurant with a quirky side, doing something different than cooking the same burger and chips everyday. You know?"

River watches me as I speak and I find myself licking my lips. Everything is becoming so dry. Why does this guy make me feel so nervous? It's probably because he knows that I wanted to end everything and he's the person who made me see sense.

He has a lot of power right now.

"Sounds like you've really got your aspirations in check," he leans back into the chair. When he pushes a hand through his dark hair, suddenly I find myself in awe. I shake my head to rid myself of any ludicrous thoughts. "Good luck with applying. I really hope you get the job you're after."

"Thank you," I say and turn my attention back to the laptop.

I should probably leave. I used his WiFi and now I can give it a rest for the day.

"You know," he catches my attention again. "If you're in desperate need of WiFi again and I'm not home. There is a cafe just across the street that my friend's mum owns, my other friend works there too. They have good WiFi and it's a nice vibe there. Nothing like Costa."

The thought of going to a cafe still doesn't sit well with me but I don't tell River that. I don't want him to think that I'm still incredibly mentally unstable enough to walk into a cafe alone.

"Oh really?" I plaster a fake interest across my expression. "What's it called?"

"It's called Chessman's," he grabs his phone for a second to tap the screen. "You'd like it. It's quiet and relaxing. Sometimes the bigger cafes are carnage."

I nod in agreement. "I hate Costa."

River's lips twitch and then he laughs softly. "That makes two of us."

We stare back at each other for what feels like an eternity. I'm not good with eye-contact because it feels like they're looking into my soul and they can see every inch of me that is damaged even though I'm trying really hard to mend myself.

"So, did you move here recently?" River asks curiously.

"Yeah," I lean on my elbow. "Kind of just packed up my life in London and moved out here."

River's eyes almost jump out of his head at my statement. "You moved here from London? That is dedication. This place is nothing like London."

An awkward laugh leaves my chest and I find myself rubbing the back of my neck. He's right, anyone who would move from London to this small little town would seem crazy. There aren't hundreds of opportunities or connections here but that's what I love about it, it's a small community. Everyone mostly knows everyone. Nothing like London where if you brush someone's shoulder they might pin you up against the wall and tell you to watch yourself.

"Which is why I moved here. It's different and I feel free already."

River's expression softens at my words which seems unlikely in my head considering he has very chiselled bone structure, sharp cheekbones and a cutedge jaw. But somehow his eyes drop to a round shape and his lips press together in a look of understanding.

"Do you not have work?" I blurt to stop myself from examining every inch of his face.

He clears his throat and glances at the time. "Yeah, I'm going in a bit," he says. "I work for a youth charity and the hours are always different each week."

"Youth charity?"

"Yeah." He offers me a smile.

I never took him for the kind of person that would work with young people but now he's said it, I kind of understand. Even when he stood in the middle of town with that sign, he did it to help others.

He might look like a rugged bad boy but deep down I realise that he's just a kind, caring person who wants the best for other people. That's why this town is known for its living satisfaction.

Because people here care.

"So you work within the community a lot?"

"Yeah, you get to know a lot of people very quickly. Most of the kids in this town can point me out on the street, although sometimes I wish they didn't because I like my privacy sometimes," he releases a small chuckle.

I'm still stuck on the fact he works in the community. I blink once and then twice, recovering my expression so River doesn't think that I'm having a stroke. I lick my lips and swallow to allow my throat to become damp, it's already gone back to being bone dry.

So I open my mouth and ask the question anyway.

"Did you know someone called Liam King?"

River's eyes flick between mine slowly. He sucks in a breath. "Yeah... I did."

Everything inside me becomes tight. I wanted to come here so that I could get closer to my brother, so that people could tell me the stories they have about him, about what he did for this small town.

But right now this all feels too much. It hurts. It's so raw.

My chest feels like it has been ripped open. Someone else knew him. River knew him.

"Why?" River's question snaps me back into the room.

I open my mouth but nothing comes out. My hand slaps down the lid of my laptop, River flinches from the sudden sound. "I should go," I mumble to myself, standing from the chair that almost tips over from behind me. "Thanks for the WiFi."

I'm already heading towards the door and I can see River's confused expression from behind me. "Oh," he sounds deflated but blood is roaring inside my ears and I need to be alone so I can control this before it gets out of hand.

Desperately needing to get my shit together. This is what I wanted and I can't even hack it. Fuck.

My hand latches onto the door handle, River is right behind me. I can't meet his eyes, I keep my gaze low. "I'll see you around?" It's more of a question than a statement.

I nod at his words. "Yeah," I rasp. "Sure."

Then I'm gone. Heading straight for my apartment, trying to get my keys out of my pockets with my severely shaky hands. I keep scolding myself in my mind. He must think I'm fucking crazy. The mention of someone's name and I'm off?

He's probably concerned about my wellbeing all over again when really I just need a couple minutes to myself to regain my thoughts. I'm going to have to talk about it at one point or another.

And I will need to come to terms with what happened.

❖ ❖ ❖

Read up to chapter 28 and bonus chapters over on Patreon!

www.patreon.com/dreammcatcher
Link is also in bio!

Author's Note

Hello my loves. What did you guys think of this chapter?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

Being neighbours sure is going to be interesting with these two!😉

Also River knew Liam. Eeeeek, is this going to be something in the future?

Thanks for reading. Don't forget to vote! Love Savanna x

Insta:SavRose.x
Patreon: dreammcatcher
Tik Tok: SavannaWritess