Just Pretending

fortyfive

James

"Are you guys here?" I say on the phone
"Yeah front a centre, want to tell us why you made us come a day early?" Caleb asked
"You will see in a matter of minutes" I said smiling
Soon enough I hang up the phone before returning to Riley who still panicking
I can't blame her, if I was in her shoes. I don't think my usual phrase would work
"It's okay, Eldon has to go on first" I said to Riley rubbing her shoulder in the attempt to calm her down
It was most certainly not working
I guide her to the wings with Thalia to watch as Eldon takes the stage
"You've got this man" I said fist bumping him as he kissed Thalia before heading out awaiting his music to start

The crowd were mental but with all of Eldon's tricks and flips I'm not surprised they were going mental. There something about Eldon's style of dance that makes everyone go insane
"He was amazing" Thalia gushed making both Riley and I smile
"You have nothing to worry about Ri" I whispered to her placing a hand on her waist

About half an hour had passed and we were maybe a quatre of the way through the female solos, Riley is still freaking out, she hasn't prepared as much as she would have usually but yet I know she is going to smash it
"It's your turn" Eldon said to her, Riley took a big deep breath in that i think she almost forgot to breath out 
"You've got this Ri" I said giving her one last kiss before practically pushing her on stage
She took one more look at me before her music started and panic started to set in.
I told her I would be in the front row but in fact.. That was saved for someone else
Someone way more important

Riley

I can't do this, I really can't. The music starts and I can still see James in the wings. He isn't where he told me he would be 
Before I could run off or anything my music starts and I know I'm out of excuses
I almost stumbled on the first move until my eyes lock with someone I didn't expect to see here..
"Dad" i breathed out before seeing his whole face lit up at the sight of me
I knew in that moment I could do this 

I did it for him, I did it for mum and I did it for all the performances he is going to see in the future
As soon as I got off stage I ran into James' arms allowing his to pick me up as he held me close, nobody else was around, it was just the two of us and I couldn't care
"he's here" I cried into his shoulder
"Your dad? Yeah I know. I planned it all" He chuckled allowing me feet to find their spot on the floor again, I still stood with my arms around his neck while he's laid gently on my waist

"You did?" I asked and he nodded
"I figured it would mean more to see him in the front row then me" He said with a wink
"James" I said cupping one of his cheek
He tilted his head to look at me allowing a smile to form on my lips
"What?" He chuckled

"I love you" I said making his eyes widen and a large smile fall onto his lips
"I love you Riley" He said placing his forehead on mine before crashing our lips together 
"I love you so god damn much" He muttered in between kisses before he picked me up again wrapping my legs around his torso
I couldn't help but giggle as his lips were on mine again 
This couldn't have been a better end to our second day at Nationals