After the show, I'm hanging out with Mariah when I get a text from River, telling me he's here. I get up and make my way to the stage door, where he's waiting. I push open the door, shivering involuntarily when the cold air comes rushing in.

"Hey!" He smiles when I open the door, stepping inside to escape the cold. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine." My answer comes out a bit colder than intended, so I smile slightly to soften it. "Come on in, I want to introduce you to some people." I take him around, introducing him to the cast and crew members we come across. River seems a bit disinterested, and he's checking his phone more than usual. While we're backstage, I find a spot for us to sit down.

"Looks like you're having fun," he says, glancing at his phone again.

"Who are you texting?" I ask curiously.

He quickly turns his phone off and puts it down. "No one."

I hesitate, confused by his short tone. "Okay. So, how's work? We haven't really talked a lot lately."

"Work is good," he answers, falling quiet again. After a few more seconds of awkward silence, I can't stand it anymore.

"Why didn't you come see me in the hospital?" I question.

River sighs. "Jack, I told you. I was busy with work and my classes. I barely have any down time anymore."

"But I was in the hospital, River. Surely you couldn't have talked to your professors and taken a day off. They would have understood," I argue.

He shakes his head. "I didn't want to get behind. Don't you care about my future? I need to go to work and pass my classes."

"Don't you care about my health?" I retort, getting angry.

"No need to get upset," he says patronizingly. "I'm sorry that I couldn't take a few days off to come visit you, but I'm here now. And I'm only here for two nights, to visit you and make sure you're okay. So let's not argue, okay?"

"Fine," I say, getting up. "Come on, I want to introduce you to a few more people." We continue walking around the theatre as people begin to leave.

After a while, River decides to go back to his hotel for the night. As we head towards the door, he stops. "Oh, I think I left my phone backstage. I'll be right back." He turns to go back, but he's stopped by Sky approaching us.

"You left your phone," he says, handing it to River. "Didn't want you to leave without it."

"Thanks," River takes it from Sky, watching him carefully. "Let's go."

"Oh, actually," Sky interrupts, stopping us. "Jack, can I talk to you for a minute?" His serious tone makes me a little nervous, so I nod. River tightens his grip on my hand a little bit.

"I'll be fine," I assure him. "I'll catch up with you tomorrow morning, okay?" River finally agrees, kissing me on the cheek before leaving the theater. I turn to Sky. "What's up?"

Before he answers, he finds a spot for us to sit down. He takes a deep breath. "I think River is cheating on you," Sky says.

It takes a few moments for me to actually process what he said. "Wh-what?" I question finally.

"Yeah," he says seriously. "And he's not bothering to be subtle about it."

"Sky, I...I have no idea what you're talking about. How do you know?"

"Well," he starts. "He's been blowing off your serious talks lately. He's been way more attentive to his phone than normal, and he's been really vague about his work and classes."

"No." I shake my head, trying not to get upset. It's been a long day. "He wouldn't do that. We've had our differences in the past, but he'd never do anything like that to hurt me."

"Jack, I'm not crazy. Please, just listen to me."

I turn to Sky. "How do I know you're telling the truth? I know you want me to break up with him, but I still don't know why."

"You don't know why? Jack, you have to be kidding me. Think about your relationship! Do you think that's healthy?"

I stand up, grabbing my crutches. "What, because you could do so much better?" I snap.

He seems taken aback by my reply. "Yes, actually. I could." As he says those words with a serious tone, my heart skips a beat. He sounds confident, as if he's thought about it a lot.

"You didn't answer my question. And why do you even care so much?" I stop myself. "You know what, Sky? I can't do this right now," I mumble, starting to leave.

Sky stands up quickly, calling after me as I leave. "Because I love you!" I freeze when I hear his words, my heart skipping what seems like more than just one beat this time. "That's why I care so much," he continues, his voice softer now. "It's because I love you, Jack."

I'm afraid to look at him. I'm afraid to do anything but leave. So I quickly step out the door, leaving Sky behind me.

~~~~~
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