Three Steps Back

14

James

"How is she doing?" Eldon asked as we sat up in the Gallery waiting for Riley's assessment to start
It was just the boys and I. Michelle was nowhere to be seen but the boys said that after Ri and I left yesterday she left too
"She's okay, it's Riley. She always bounces back" I said looking down to see her stood with Oscar laughing before they were joined by Piper
"so what are we about to see what Riley has been up for half the year?" West asked and I nodded
It's sad to say that none of us truly know the extent of what Riley has been up to 
Like she's spoken to me about it here and there, I've heard bits and bobs from Piper too but None of us really took the time to know more

"I can't believe how distant we all became" Hunter said and I nodded
"It's the trouble with school, you get so invested in things you neglect the little things like friendships" West said and I couldn't have agreed more
"Alright First years!" Mr Anderson said coming into the room
"Why are they all here, I thought she was only helping Piper and Oscar?" Eldon asked and I shrugged
"Man I'm as blind as you all" I said with a sigh

"Up first we have Oscar?" Mr Anderson said making Oscar nod stepping forward
"At the beginning of the year when this all started, I had asked Riley for some help with Duets. I never understood the point or the need. No matter what I did, I couldn't connect with anyone but since having Riley's help I've done plenty of duets with people in this class" Oscar explained making me chuckle
"Trust Riley to be the one to help people connect" West said laughing alongside all of us 
"She taught me that the purpose of a guy in a duet is to showcase his partner but also finding the balance of showcasing himself" He continued 
"Alright, let's see what you've learnt" Mr Anderson said before we watched as Riley and Oscar took to the floor 

I have to give it to Riley and Oscar, that duet was one for the books. It's obvious that with Riley's help, Oscar has grown alongside his first year, just like we all did in our first year with Riley
"That was great" Hunter cheered
"Looks like she dipped into some choreo too" Eldon joked making us all laugh

"Next up, Piper" Mr Anderson said making Piper step forward
I've watched Piper over the last few months and she's become a lot more at home, she's grown, she become confident and I have a feeling Riley is to thank for that too
"Riley and I have been working on my confidence. I'm not the strongest dancer here and I'll happily hold my hands up to that" Piper said doubting herself again
"But through working with Riley, I managed to dip into this side of me I didn't know I had. The drive to make sure I'm the best" Piper continued
"through our playful dance battles all the way to the negative comments. Riley truly helped me grow as a dance" Piper said smiling widely at Riley who matched her smile

"Alright Piper, Let's see" Mr Anderson said allowing Piper to take to the floor 
"I've never heard Piper speak that much" Eldon said making me laugh
"Tell me about it, she's not so much a Pipesqueak anymore is she" I said nudging him

"Well fuck" Hunter cursed making me laugh
"I didn't expect that" I confessed
"that is not the little Piper that used to follow us around the studio that is for sure" A voice said from behind us, we all turned to see Michelle joining us

"No it certainly isn't" I said smiling as she took a seat next to me
Could this be the beginning of Riley and Michelle's Epic comeback?
"Alright and finally, you all have been working on something?" Mr Anderson said and everyone nodded before Piper's friend Matilda stepped forward 

"When we had Natalie leave here last minute, we had a huge shock to our system, she stopped meshing as a team. We were divided and no matter how hard we tried. We couldn't over come it" Matilda started
"Until Riley came and sat in on one of our rehearsals" She smiled looking at Riley
"Riley helped us learn to work as a team again, she helped us become stronger then ever" She continued
"she reminded us you are only as strong as your weakest link" Matilda smiled
"She taught us what it really meant to be a part of a tight knit team, so close I would call some of these people family" Matilda smiled making Mr Anderson nod along with every sentence 
"Alright let's go" Mr Anderson said before we watched as everyone including Riley took to the floor 

As soon as the piece finished everyone engulfed Riley into a hug making me chuckle
"She continued to conquer while we were busy" Michelle said and I nodded
"Of course she did, it's Ri" I said and she smiled

"How mad is she at me?" Michelle asked and I sighed
"I'm pretty sure if you were to go and talk to her Michelle, she'd take you back in a heartbeat. Your her best friend whether you two are arguing or not!" I said making her smile
"But I forgot" She whispered and I nodded
"I know, that hurt her but she isn't one for grudges" I said
"Just grovel a little and you two will be back to crying at stupid romance films in no time" I said nudging her making her chuckle

It was true, Riley continued to smash through her college life while we were off worrying about ourselves, she felt isolated so she put her head down and worked hard
I honestly don't think any of us could be any proud of her right now