All it took was a small nudge from her older sister, for Riley to truly learn her true potential
Riley's always stayed hidden away from the world, from judgment but this year Emily took it upon herself to break that curse and introduce Riley into t...
"We are slowly losing both of them" Eldon warned me as we walked into Practice a couple days later, Emily had been coming each evening but she doesn't talk to anyone and won't even dare to look at Riley Riley isn't really fitting into her new role of Dance Captain very well, she's stressed, she's anxious and is constantly second guessing anything she says or does
"How has she been in rehearsal with you and Henry?" I asked, the trio had been working on a dance to see how Henry meshes with all of us "She's okay, she's certainly come out of her shell a little but then her mind floods back to Emily as soon as the music stops" he explained making me sigh, I nodded knowing exactly what he means
I glanced over to see Riley stretching in her usual space with Michelle and Giselle near her in the attempt to cheer her up but I don't think it'll work "alright guys, how are we all?" Miss Kate asked before sighing looking at the two sisters
"how about we see the trio?" She offered looking to Eldon, Henry and Riley who all nodded before everyone cleared the floor
Riley glanced over at Emily who was looking in her direction but she was most certainly not looking at Riley This was going to be a different road to travel
The room irrupted in a round of applause been the proud three walked off to the side, Riley came straight over to me allowing me to wrap an arm around her as she continued to smile, this was the longest smile I had seen her have in a while
I looked further down the room to see Emily sneaking out, I'm surprised more people hadn't noticed but it wasn't long until she was out of the door "I'll be back" I whispered to Riley who looked at me worried before nodding
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I walked out of Studio A to find Emily sat on the bench just in the corridor "James please don't" She whispered and I nodded taking a seat next to her, little does she know. I remember a lot of things from over the years and it's about time I returned the favour
"Do you remember what happened on this bench last time we were both out here?" I asked making Emily look up from having her head in her hands "What?" She breathed out "You didn't think I'd forget did you?" I smirked leaning back against the world
"the last time both of us sat on this bench, I was contemplating leaving Dance, walking away for good and what was it you told me?" I asked "That sometimes a bad patch is there to prepare us for the bigger picture" She whispered making me smile "Exactly, take your own advice Emily" I said
"I know you and I have never truly seen eye to eye but I think we both know you are playing a losing battle with yourself that is only going to end with you get more hurt the longer you continue it" I explained "What you did was wrong sure but you already know that" I said "What you do next is what is going to define you" I smiled making Emily look at me
She sighed looking forward at the photo board in front of us "Things are so different already" She whispered and I nodded "Change is inevitable Emily, but how you grow from it says a lot" I explained making her chuckle a little before getting up towards the board
"When did this boy, the one who didn't know how to do a duet, become so poetic" She asked pointing at one photo in particular It was taken the first couple weeks into practice before we had the full team back "He started hanging around with your sister and it sort of happened" I said making her laugh
Emily started to fiddle with her fingers just like Riley does whenever she anxious, it's clear that Emily and Riley aren't really that different when Emily gets knocked down a peg or two
"is she okay?" She asked looking at me with her blue eyes looking as vulnerable as I've ever seen them "I'd be lying if I said she was. She's worried about you Emily" I said and she nodded "She shouldn't, I'm not her problem" She whispered looking back at the board and pointing to a photo of her and Riley
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"You guys are a lot more alike then you think Emily, whether you like it or not Riley will always be there when you fall" I said "Even if I hurt her in process?" She asked and I nodded
"That's one big thing I've learnt about your sister" I said making her look at me slightly confused "It doesn't matter if she gets hurt, it doesn't matter what damage is done to her. If she loves you like I know she loves you, she'll be there even when you throw all the punches" I said making Emily sigh and nod
"Does she hate me?" Emily asked making me smile "There is no part of Riley that could ever hate anyone, let alone you" I chuckled making Emily smile and nod
"How about we go find her?" I offered and Emily looked back at the board before nodding taking the first step towards Studio A
