Just Pretending

fifty

James

It's been a week since we won Nationals, it's been a week full of celebrations and some much earned rest. Although there is something that has been playing on my mind and I have a feeling it's been playing on Riley's too. But she isn't talking about it..

She had been offered and amazing opportunity with Michelle and now Giselle is attending but Riley hasn't even began to pack and they are meant to be leaving in a couple days
I walked into her house to see Andrew sat in the living room, I come over so often that Andrew practically gave me a key a couple weeks ago
"Hey James! Riles is upstairs" He said and I smiling nodding before walking towards him and taking a seat
"I need to talk to you first I'm afraid" I said and he shot me a look
"Oh boy" He replied making me chuckle

"Has Riley told you about this summer?" I asked and he furrowed his brow signalling a no.
"Riley, Michelle and Giselle have been given this once in a life time opportunity and I have a feeling she is setting herself up to miss it" I said and he looked at me just as confused as before
"She hasn't mentioned it at all to me" He said looking a little disappointed
"She found out a couple days before you got sick I think. Maybe she just forgot to mention it?" I offered and he shook his head
"No, I know what she is doing" He muttered before rising to his feet walking to the bottom of the stairs
"Riley! Can you come down here a second?" He called before I heard some footsteps, a door open and close until she was now on the bottom step
She smiled at her dad before looking at me and smiling again
"What's up?" She asked walking over kissing my cheek taking a seat next to me
"What are you plans this summer?" Dad asked, Riley gulped a little before flashing a fake smile

"I'm hanging around here, I might go to help at dance camp too! I think Piper is going again isn't she?" She asked me with a smile. I wasn't about to help her get out of this
"What about going away with Michelle?" I asked and she bit her lip
"That isn't a thing anymore" She said and I narrowed my eyes at her
"Why not?" I asked 
"I don't know, they changed their minds?" She said making it sound like more like a question
"No they didn't Ri, Miss Kate gave me your plan tickets this morning when I went to see her" I replied holding up the paper
She looked down at my hands and then shook her head walking out into the back garden
I looked over and Andrew who sighed
"I'll put money on it that she won't go because of me" Andrew said
"I have any idea, do you trust me?" I asked and he chuckled
"Of course" He replied 
With that said I rose to my feet heading outside to see Riley sat on the bench with her head in her hands

I walked over to her crouching in front of her taking her hands in mine so she would have to look at me, the moment she did I could see the tears in her eyes. 
This was a hard choice for her
"I can't leave him James. What if something happens? He'll be here alone. Emily is away with work, his brothers all work. I'm the only person here to look after him" he cried before collapsing in my arms
I sighed picking her up placing her on my lap as we both sat on the bench
"Listen to me Riley, you need to do this. If not for you then for your dad. He would not want you to miss out of something because he is sick" I said moving her hair out of her face
"I can't he could have another episode" She said looking up at me
"You don't need to worry about that. You need to go and have the summer of a lifetime" I warned her and she shook her head

"i'll do it" I said making her look at me confused
"I will spend the entire summer here with your dad. I'll crash in your room, I'll keep and eye on him and if there is a moment where he gets bad again. You are the first phone call I'll make okay?" I offered, she looked up at me searching my gaze for something
"You would?" She asked and I smiled
"Of course I would. You deserve this Ri" I said. She looked at me still a little hesitant but she knew this was the right thing to be doing right now

--

The day came a lot sooner than anticipated I won't lie. I had moved some things into Riley's for the summer while I helped her back for her summer. She still wasn't completely sold on this but her Dad and I kind of tag teamed her and she didn't really get a choice
Now here we are at the airport. Waiting to say goodbye

"Alright baby, remember. Don't worry about anything else but yourself. Have fun but not too much fun and most of all, look after yourself please" Andrew said hugging his daughter tightly, they had been saying good bye for 10 minutes at this point but I knew both of them needed this
"I'll meet you in the car" Andrew said tapping my shoulder wiping a tear as he left
I already knew he planned on leaving before she left or he would have back out and got her to stay 

I glanced over in her direction to see her stood there looking as awkward as ever. I know she was thinking of backing out but she would know by now I wasn't about to let that happen
"Are you sure you don't need me to stay?" she asked hopeful
"I've got this Riley, you need to do this for yourself" I warned her stepping closer so she was now in my arms
"But what if" She started before I put my finger on her lips shaking her head
"No what if's. You are going" I warned her
"You always put others first Riley it's about time you were selfish" I said to her making her roll her eyes

"are we going to be okay? I'll be gone for 3 months. That's a long time" she said and I smiled
"We are going to be great Riley. 3 months don't mean anything in the bigger picture" I said and she smiled
"Just make me one promise?" I asked she nodded looking up at me
"Don't go running off with a tall dark handsome stranger" I said making her chuckle before placing her hand on my cheek with a cheesy grin
"Why would I do that when I already have one at home" She said before we both leaned in pressing our lips together

"I love you" I said as we walked to her gate, it was time for her to board
"I love you more" She replied making me roll my eyes
"Call me when you're settled in okay?" I asked her once more earning a nod before she went to walk off. 

I sighed watching her in the crowd, I turned to walk out. It was it, she was gone.
"JAMES!" I hear someone yell, I turn to see Riley running towards me. What the hell was she doing
"What are you doing Riley? You're going to miss your flight" I said pulling her back in the right direction
"I just wanted one more hug" She said pouting, I sighed pulling her into the tightest hug
"I love you" She whispered into my chest
"I love you" I replied kissing the top of her head

--

After making sure to watch Riley get on the plan, I started to walk back to the car. It was official for the next 3 months. I was without Riley
"So it's just the two of us now?" Andrew asked making me sigh
"It looks that way" I replied smiling at him
"You know, I think this is the best thing you could have ever done for her" He said, I smiled in his direction
"Ready for a summer to remember?" I asked and he chuckled

The End