Saving Riley

30

James' POV

Chasing her was my first thought but it was too late, she was gone.. 
I walked back into the green room to see all 3 boys still sat there, John was the last person I wanted to see right now
"you couldn't have just left it! You couldn't have waited for me to talk to her" I said slamming down my book on the table, he looked up at me and he did have regret on his face
"Look man, what John did was understandable, you should have told Riley" Luke said
"But John dude, you can't involve yourself that much in someone's relationship" Luke continued. Trust Luke to find a way to be on everyone's side.

After much deliberation we continued on with rehearsals. I've tried phone Riley, texting her and nothing. I'll have to go over to her tonight, I dare not even think about what is going on in her mind right now
"You prick!" Someone yelled making all of us turn to see Piper stood in the doorway
"uh oh" Theo said allowing him and the boys to excuse themselves
I'm getting this sneaky suspicion that Piper knows about the kiss
"Did you not learn anything from Beth!" She yelled slapping my chest
"Pipes listen" I started but she pushed me backwards, luckily I was caught by the sofa
"no you listen James. What the hell are you doing? I thought you loved Riley, I thought you wanted to make things better! Then I run into a crying Riley? What on earth are you playing at!" She yelled, of course Riley was crying
I know Piper, I know I broke her heart. I was going to tell her but" I started
"But what? Why did she have to hear from someone else! Better yet why did the kiss happen at all" She continued and she had a point. This should have never been a situation
"I'm going to make this better" I explained and Piper shook her head
"I wouldn't be so sure that is possible James. Riley said she doesn't think there is a comeback from this" Piper said, her tone more soft this time
I looked at her hoping I had misheard her.. Please don't tell me I truly have lost her, I don't think I could stomach that

--

"She doesn't want to see you" Michelle said as the pair of us stood at her door, I looked at Michelle with a look of guilt and hopefulness, Something tells me no matter what I say, Michelle isn't going to let me again
"Why James" Michelle asked and I sighed putting my head down
"I know this won't matter but she kissed me Michelle. I just told her I wouldn't go out with her and then she did that. I pulled away as soon as I realised what was happening, I swear" I said hoping that would help. Michelle slowly shook her head
"James, why wouldn't you just tell her the second it happened?" Michelle asked and I shrugged. I didn't really have an answer
"I didn't want to hurt her" I muttered and Michelle scoffed
"And you think keeping it a secret for god knows how long was a good idea?" Michelle asked and I shook my head
"No,I know I'm in the wrong, i know i should have told her but I didn't want to break her heart" I confessed
"And what do you think you've done now? This isn't just something you can brush under the carpet. Your 'don't even worry about it ' attitude won't be able to get you out of this one" She said, I looked at her and it brought back everything from the Beth situation. I watched as it ripped Riley apart. It truly put a huge dent in her self esteem, her confidence. The whole thing. I can't believe I've made the same mistake again
"Will you at least give her this?" I said handing her an envelope. Hopefully this will help. It isn't going to make Riley forgive me but maybe it'll help her realise that I wasn't intentionally trying to hurt her

--

Riley's POV

"He wanted me to give you this" Michelle said handing me an envelope as we stood at my flat door, I nodded to her before saying our goodbyes. 
I sighed closing the door behind her. It's been a long time since I've felt like this. Since I've felt so worthless, so belittled. 
I went through this once with James before, am I really about to let him do the same thing to me again?
The difference is that if we are thinking technical. James and I aren't in a relationship or at least we have defined ourselves as in one. 
Michelle told me the story. The one where Marie asked him out, he said no.. so she kissed him. I want to believe it, more then anything I want to believe it but I don't know if I can 

The next morning was a brand new day, a brand new start. I glanced over at my nightstand to see the envelope still sat there
Now I know what you are thinking. Why haven't you opened it yet!
Trust me I want to but I know that i'll be some form of apology. Some for of explanation and I'm not ready to unbox this yet. 
I have a day packed with classes today, maybe that'll get my head off of things

Well, that was easy. I managed to get through the day and only broke down maybe twice? I go to pick up the rest of the turn board when I hear the door to Riley's Corner open. There stand James and Piper, I want to kick James out but I don't want to upset Piper
Smart boy bringing someone with her
"Hey P, what's up" I asked hoping James would get the hint
"Just um came to check in" She said glancing between James and I. I'm certain he is using her as a way to see me
"I'm good, what about you?" I replied putting everything where it needs to be
"I'm er good" she said before being nudged by James. There was something he wanted to say, but he knew if he said it then he wouldn't get an answer
"Did Michelle give you anything last night?" Piper asked
"Besides alcohol?" I said making Piper chuckle with me
"Yeah besides that" She replied
"Yeah she did" I said picking up my dance bag
"Have you opened it" James said finally becoming vocal. I looked at him, his face looked like he hadn't slept at all. His eyes filled with a glimmer of hope
"Not yet" I replied before leaving Riley's corner
I maybe made it to the entrance of The Next Step before my legs started to thumble. I placed my back against a wall letting myself fall to the floor as my sobs become more uncontrollable
What I wanted right now was James
I wanted to be able to run into his arms and him to tell me this was all a bad dream
But I know it isn't I know that this is something I have to face.. Facing it will be something I don't ever want to do