Too Young

20

James

"What are we going to do?" Eldon asked as we all huddled in studio A. Riley was with Miss Kate in her office and for the first time in a while. Miss Kate was impressed 
"I've never seen her like this" Emily said running her hands through her hair
"She has literally turned into you Em, she's snapped" I said and everyone nodded

I looked over at the office to see Riley perched on the edge of the desk looking over some paperwork with Miss Kate before they both exchanged a small smile and a nod 
They soon left the Office heading over to all of us
Usually Miss Kate would be the one to talk to us but Riley was quick to speak up

"This week I want you all to work on things. If you aren't in the small group, Duet, or a featured dancer in the big numbers. I want you to work on your Solo's just in case the worst is to happen" She said making us all look at her a little taken back

"Emily and West if you can fill in on the small group, we need a firm foundation for the routine by the end of the night. James you'll be working with me on the Duet, we need that down pat like yesterday" She said looking in my direction
The eye contact didn't last very long before she turned back to Miss Kate who had a proud smile on her face

Does she not know the damage she has caused

--

Riley and I walked into the music room, the same room we always practice. But the whole atmosphere was different here, it wasn't our usual practice this one was more on point, more structured
We didn't have our dynamic anymore but I was going to do all I could to get that back

"Why are you doing this?" I asked making Riley tilt her head looking at me as she took a sip of her water
"What are you talking about James? I'm being the best dance captain I can" She explained but I shook my head

"No Riley, you're being a copy cat of Emily. Nobody here wants that no matter what they said, they don't ever mean it" I explained but she rolled her eyes

"You'll soon see that this was what was meant to happen James. It was about time I stopped worrying so much about everything, it was about time I took a page out of Emily's book" She continued
"a page? Ri you took the entire fucking book" I said making her shake her head

"My name is Riley, not Ri" she said making me look at her with a little gasp to my breath

She looked me up and down before shaking her head
"That girl that was so dependant on you in gone. She's long gone James" She said 
"I'm not being that girl anymore, she was a mess, she was hurting the team. She needed to learn to put others first and stop worrying about everything else" She said
"If you can't handle that then I think this practice is over" She finished walking to pick up her bag 

"Riley. One thing before you go" I said making her sigh before turning back to look at me again

"That girl I know, that girl I've started to fall for. She's in there" I said making Riley's breath hitch
"She's in there and she scared, she's struggling" I whispered

"And if you think even for a second that I'm about to let her do this on her own, you have another thing coming" I said
"You might not accept it but slowly one by one, I'm going to knock these walls you've magically put up down" I continued making Riley roll her eyes

"When I get my Ri back, she'll be here to stay. I can promise you that" I finished 

Riley took one look at me before placing her hand on her hip
"Are we done here?" She asked and I nodded
"We are" I answered before watching her leave

"For now" I muttered before hitting the wall next to me