two weeks passed.

river was still very friendly with martha plimis. river still didn't know why donny beat him up because he was completely avoiding him. him and sean talked when donny wasn't around. and river had found a drinking problem about a week ago. there were two weeks left of high school and he knew he had to get everything together. his grades, his friends, his family, and himself. he was now focusing on only three things, his school work, martha, and his beer. he had a D in math but was striving for a B by the end of the year. martha was one of river's top priorities. he wanted to make her happy and make her proud of him. river thought very strongly of her and loved her.

river wasn't very close with his mother so he would constantly now go to her with his struggles and what he needs improving. she always answered with the same thing,"then stop drinking, dear river!" he always replied,"it's not that easy, mother!"

river was hanging out with his siblings more. he would put them to bed, wake them up for school, and take them to go get treats once in a while. he would spend some nights at Martha's house, though, so he couldn't do those things.

river applied for a music school about five hours away from where he was living now. if he got in, he planned to take martha with him.

river was only just starting to get over the death of finchel and his father. there was a lot more healing left.