Just Pretending

twentyone

James

"It's boys night" West said practically jumping on me as Riley and I joined A-Troupe a few days later
"What?" I asked
"Every year before a competition, we have a boys night and a girls night" Riley said summing it all up, I looked at her before returning to the boys who all but one look excited for me to be invited
"There isn't any getting out of it I'm afraid" Riley said kissing my cheek walking over to the group of girls 
"I'm not going this year" I hear Beth squeal
"Fine by me" Riley chuckled
"I'm not going either" Alfie spat
"awh man that sucks" I said earning a laugh from Riley

We had all went our separate ways, I had tried to say goodbye to Riley but she was already been pulled away by the girls
God I think I know how Arthur felt on the night before his wedding 
"Right where to?" Eldon said patting my shoulder as we walked out of the building
"I don't know, you guys are the ones who are dragging me along" I chuckled
"Honestly, I'm glad Alfie bailed" i hear Noah say, Noah is quite a timid boy. I've never really heard him speak
"careful, Noah's hanging with the men" West teased making us all laugh
I glanced over the carpark to see Riley being almost forced into Thalia's car
Tonight was going to be interesting that is for sure 

--

 The boys and I decided to grab some food and just hang out in Parkour Alley, it wasn't anything fancy but it's giving us some chill out time that I swear we all need
"So, any regrets in joining the team?" Eldon asked and I was quick to shake my head
"none at all, I think it was one of the best choices I've made this year" I said with a sincere smile
"The best one being getting rid of Beth, I'm sorry but she is the most annoying person I've met" West laughed
It takes a lot to get that kind of opinion from West. So congratulations Beth..

"Now you and Riley, that was certainly a shocker" West continued making me roll my eyes
"I like it though" Eldon said eating his food
"Me too, you two are great together" Noah said with a smile
"Well I'm glad you think so" I replied smiling at the trio in front of me
"I don't know how you did it though" Eldon said making me furrow my brows at him
"You've brought back the old Riley we knew and loved" West said, I looked at him even more confused
"You've lost me" I said and they all sighed
"Before Riley started dating Alfie, she was the girl you know now but when she started dating him he somehow managed to slowly close her off the world to the point that even her sister would argue with her over him" Eldon explained
"Alfie never met Andrew because Riley didn't want her dad to murder him. Riley is an easily influenced anxiety filled mess but she would do anything to please someone she thought loved her back" West said 

I was even more confused then I was at the beginning of this. I didn't realise Alfie did that to Riley. I guess this Play Pretend really helped her 
"But with you, man she's that fun loving happy girl that we used to always protect" West smiled, I know that these boys have been in her life a lot longer then I have. They are her family and I don't think they'll ever understand how greatful Riley is
"You've made her fall in love all over again but this time, it's returned" Eldon said making my breath hitch
"Love?" I asked and they all nodded
"Whether you two are ready to admit it or not. You both love each other" Noah said and I looked down a little before allowing a smile to creep on my lips
"I don't care what happened in order for you to get to where you two are. But whatever you do for the love of god" West started
"Don't hurt her" All four of us said together
Hurting Riley was the last thing I wanted to do. I just needed to somehow figure out how she felt too..