Too Young

9

Riley

I walked into the competition with James on one side and Miss Kate on the other, it felt like ages since I last stepped foot on a stage and I couldn't be more ready
Last night after having some quality time with Grandad, I went home and I spoke to Emily and she even gave me some choreo tips to add to the routine. James and I worked them in and managed to make them perfect in a matter of minutes 

"It's all up to you guys now, are you ready?" Miss Kate asked making both of us look to each other with a nod as we headed to the side of the stage, Miss Kate stayed in the wings too but moved to one where she would see the full stage more clearly
"Are you sure about the new addition Ri?" James said and I nodded
"Emily and I spent all night working on them" I said making James look a me a little unsure

"Are you sure we should be trusting Emily right now?" He asked and I nodded
Surely when it comes to competition, Emily wouldn't do anything to cause us to lose? We are all on the same team
"Yeah" I said looking out watching someone else's number

It didn't take long for that routine to end and it was time for James and I to take the stage
I've never been one who can do something without worrying, I can't help but hyper focus on one thing and continuously worry about it until it's over and then I'll worry and micromanage about what I could have done better
I just hope this isn't one of those things 

"Are you ready?" James asked, I looked up at him before looking out into the crowd
"Don't look at them Ri, look at me" He said noticing my breath hitch at the first glance, I turned back to him seeing the supportive smile on his face

"shall we?" He smiled holding out his hand, I looked down at it biting my lip before smiling and nodding taking his hand walking out onto the stage

"Our Final routine in our Qualifier today, we have a duet from The Next Step" The announcer said making the crowd fall silent glancing at James and I as we took our first step on stage
I looked to James one more time as he took his first position before receiving a smile and nod right as our music started

--

Studio A was our next stop and I don't think anyone was really ready for what was about to happen
I glanced at James and Miss Kate who nodded before we walked in watching our 10 team mates rise to the feet rushing over
"oh we aren't smiling" West said
"Why aren't we smiling?" Hunter asked
"did someone choke?" Emily smirked making me confused 

"No she didn't, they both did amazing" Miss Kate said placing a supportive hand on my shoulder
"Then what happened? Are we going to regionals or what" Emily asked
"Regardless on what happened today, we were going to regionals" James said making the team look at us even more worried 

"Guys will you quit it and just tell us" Michelle said making me chuckle lightly before turning to James and Miss Kate who both nodded in my direction

"let's just say we don't need a trio or small group for the Qualifier" I said making all of their eyes widen before they charged at us, everyone but one person that is

"You guys won?" Eldon cheered almost lifting me off of the ground 
"We did indeed with a perfect score" James said smiling at me as his hand laid in the square of my back stopping me from falling backwards 

I looked around the room and the one person I wanted to be happy certainly wasn't, I thought she would be proud, I thought she would be celebrating with us plus if she hadn't helped me with some of our new moves, we may not have gotten a perfect score
I watched as Emily walked over to the Cubbies, something was on her mind, I could tell by the little light in her eyes

"What is it" I asked making her look up at me, A-Troupe were all celebrating while Miss Kate vanished somewhere else 
"What" Emily asked placing her hand on her hip
"What are you so smug about right now?" I asked making her chuckle 

"I'm just imagining" She said making me furrow my brows at her, at this point A-Troupe were trying to listen in subtly
"What do you think the Regional board with think when you've used recycled choreo Riley. Should have thought twice about letting me help you" She said grabbing her bag attempting to leave me speechless

"What are you doing Emily!" I yelled making A-Troupe all look at me, Emily stopped at the door and turned slowly to face me
"Don't yell at me" She warned me making me scoff
"You just sabotaged your entire team, your friends Em! Over what? Some pent up jealousy you brought on yourself?" I yelled back 

"Don't you get it Riley, I'm not jealous of you!" She said
"you could have fooled me" I said 
"I couldn't care about your talent or what you are doing Riley. What I care about is when you take things that are mine" She said and I shook my head
"All of this over a duet? Grow up Emily, what are we 3?" I asked making her scoff

"Grow up Emily? Try Grow up Riley. One of these days things aren't just going to get handed to you, soon the affects of being the new play thing are going to wear off" She spat
"And that day will be the happiest day of my life" She said looking me up and down again before walking out of the Studio 

She has gone way too far this time