Three Steps Back

17

Riley

It's been one hell of a long day. Michelle and I had been practicing most of the night before our Exam this morning. Now I'm heading back to my dorm where I plan of just collapsing and ignoring the world 
"See you later?" Michelle asked as we got to my door
"Sure, if I don't die first" I teased making her roll her eyes as I walked into my room
I was about to slump down onto my bed but something caught my eye before I had the chance

After throwing my dance bag into its usual corner, I headed over to my desk where an envelope sat in front of the vase that James will randomly fill with flowers
This time is was filled with Red Roses and Sunflowers, it's mine and James' favourite flowers all in one
I smiled before opening the letter 

'Riley,

I know you are probably exhausted and tired and I can't blame you. You put a lot on your shoulders constantly and I know you feel it most around this time of the year
So me being the best boyfriend I can be. I have a surprise for you.

But it isn't going to be easy, you'll have to find it.
Here's your first clue 

With a crash, started something beautiful

See you soon
James x'

With a crash? What on earth
I continued to walk around my dorm room until I chuckled too myself
"My old dorm room" I said
The day I met James, I crashed into him. Why did that take me so long!

I got to the dorm corridor and it was very nostalgic. It's crazy to think of everything that's happened in this corridor, I met James, the gang. We had the brief pleasure of Michelle and Eldon shooting their shot. We had the likes of Emma, we had to struggles of the battles
But most of all, this is where I fell in love with something more then dance

As I approached Pipers dorm room, I smiled seeing another note attached to the door 
I was correct or if I was wrong, I just skipped a few

'Well done, I figured you would get that one pretty easily, some time to step things up a notch now babe 

1 2 3, and then we C

Good luckkkkk'

What the hell does that even mean! 123 and then we C. But like the letter? Why the letter? Surely that means something 
"You okay Riley?" Piper chuckled seeing me in the corridor
"Yeah, I'm just trying to solves your brothers cryptic riddles" I said making her laugh
"Sounds like James, want some help?" She asked and I shook my head
"No, It's alright" I smiled making her nod as she headed inside her rom

C C C...
"Fucking hell Riley" I cursed to myself
Our old group room. Studio C...

As I arrived at the studio, I was happily met with another envelope showing me I was correct, or at least somewhat

' Honestly, I didn't think you would have got that one. I even confused myself writing that 
I'll make the next one nice and easy for you. Seeing it's the final one

A small town boy with some big city dreams

See you soon babe' 

I smiled at the clue, I would know that quote anyway
That was what James said to me on the Rooftop on my first night, it was the night where I really got to know him. The different side to the one he used to show everyone else

It didn't take me long to get from the Studio to the Rooftop. In fact, over the two years James and I managed to find a lot of different shortcut to the rooftop so that we could get there quicker after class
That place was really a safe haven for us 

As I walked up the stairs, I took one look around the place only to see it looking exactly the same. It's almost as if nobody had been up here since James and I were last here
I continued to walk over to our specific spot where I found a Laptop and a USB
"What the" I whispered to myself before picking it up plugging it in

It had three files on there, each labeled either 1 2 or 3 
I'm assuming that is the way to read them?
I opened the first file only to have a text document to pop up

'CONGRATULATIONS

You made it Ri, now sit back and enjoy the show. I'll be there soon I promise ;)'

I chuckled before clicking number two to which a media file popped up 

I would know that voice anywhere, it was Luke. As the song continued, I couldn't help but smile at the lyrics. they were beautiful
The melody, the lyrics is was just perfect in so many ways

After it came to an end, I opened up number three and the moment I did.. my eyes widened 

'Thankyou for you interest in 14 Jackson Court. I'm pleased to say your deposit and checks have been approved. We cannot wait to hand over the keys on the 25th of August.'

As I scrolled through the document, my eyes continued to widen when I realised it was the flat I had shown James the first day we had spoken about it, the one with the private rooftop
"Surprise" A sweet voice called making me look up from the laptop

There James stood with a proud smile on his face, I shook my head at him rushing over to him
As soon as I was close enough, I crashed our lips together while James picked me up wrapping my legs around his torso
"I love you" I said making him chuckle
"I love you more" he replied and I shook my head
"I love you most" I said making him smile before crashing our lips together again