River had the whole house to herself, yet again. Mum was still working her overnight shift at the hospital, which had of course turned into a double shift. River knew why her mother had to work so hard; in order to support both herself and her older sister, to put food on the table and give them a nice place to live. That realization, however, did not seem to change the loneliness that River was feeling since her sister, Emmaline, went off to school. Normally the two sisters were inseparable, left to their own devices, but at least they were together. Now River felt like Emmaline had forgotten about her. She knew how wound up in studies her sister could get, but it didn't change the fact she missed her. The house just was not the same with only the young ten year old making it home.
Needing a little change of scenery, River decided she would sneak out just for a little while. She wrote a note to her mother saying she would be back soon (not that she would probably read it any time soon). River also left a covered plate of food in the refrigerator, so her mother would have some food when she arrived home before having to go to sleep. That had always been Emmaline's job, but River had definitely picked up some of the responsibilities now. With everyone in 'perfect order,' River closed the door to her house, making sure to lock it.
The young girl was off on a walk, not sure where she was going to end up. River often just wondered around her hometown area. She knew most of the area like the back of her hand. Humming to herself, River walked down familiar paths before coming to a park. This normally would not be a place that River stopped at, very little fun playing at the playground with no one around. However, River noticed a young girl about her age and her mother at the park. Maybe it was due to it being a weekend or maybe River just had good timing, but she felt like she would at least try to socialize. She would go insane if she did not talk to another person soon.
River walked down to the park, a bright smile on her face. She brushed a strand of hair out of her face as she wandered towards the girl eating ice cream. "Hey" River said hoping not to startle the girl. "I know this is completely random, but any chance you'd like to hang out for a little?" River said knowing her mother would disapprove of the lack of proper first impression manners.
