Too Young

34

Riley

Breathe Riley..
Breathe..

I sat on the bench by the front of The Next Step in the hope that some sort of fresh air would bring me back to the mind set I needed right now 
If I had half the brain cells I pride myself in having, I would have seen this coming 

There had to have been a reason as to why he agreed to help me so quickly. I walked straight into his trap and now I was dealing with the aftermath 

I placed my head between my knees in the attempt that I would calm my breathing but it just wasn't working that way
I had solely just destroyed our chances at Regionals. How on earth are we meant to create new routines this close to competition 

"Breathe" I heard James said making me turn to look at as he headed over taking a seat on the bench 
"Are you here to kick me off of the team?" I asked making him chuckle before shaking his head
"Why not? Emily almost ruined our chances and she is now an alternate. I have ruined our chances and yet you want me around?" I asked and he nodded

"Riley you made a mistake, you're human. When Emily did what she did, she did it out of spite. Too purposely hurt you and the team but you were completely oblivious to it. You had no idea he was doing this" He explained 

"Plus you haven't ruined our chances Ri. We've got this, we always do" he smiled making me sigh
James chuckled leaning back against the bench opening one arm letting me cuddle into him slightly

"Now more importantly Riley, are you okay?" He whispered kissing the top of my head gently
"I just can't help but think that everyone is going to blame me, hate me, that this is all my fault" I explained but James shook his head
"It's okay to feel like that Riley but you also need to know that isn't the case" He said

"Anyone could and would have made that mistake. Plus it wasn't completely you considering that he was in every team practice so he saw it all for himself" He said and I sighed
"The only two dances he hasn't seen is ours and the Small group" he explained making me nod

"All we need to do is work on a new routine and a Final routine and we are golden" He said making me nod again laying firmly against his chest
I just really hope that this all works out...

-- 

Practice was well and truly underway and we had some solid idea's planned, enough that I think we actually had a fighting chance
"See that was great" James cheered as we finished
I won't lie, when he first elected as dance captain I'm pretty certain I wasn't alone when I was concerned.

James has always been the laid back kind of guys the 'Don't even worry about it' guy but this is just proving he's a lot more then just that
A lot more 

"I think we are done today" he continued looking at the time
"Are you sure? We don't mind staying a little later?" Michelle questioned but James nodded
"I think it's best we all head home and get some rest. We have all week of this" He explained making everyone around us nod 

Everyone started to file off until Emily turned to me
"Riles do you need a ride home or are you preoccupied" She said before smirking at James 
"She's good" He chuckled throwing an arm over my shoulder

"Don't hurt her James" Eldon said coming to join the three of us, James looked at me and smile
"I would never" he whispered before everyone else started to leave, leaving both James and I here alone 

"Come here" He said holding out his hands, I looked at him confused but soon obliged reaching forward where he took one of my hands twirling me around causing me to burst out in a few giggles

He soon grabbed my waist dipping me slightly before we continued to slow dance 

"This is cute" A voice said making me confused as I turned around to see a small blonde walking into the Studio
I furrowed my brows looking at James in the hope this wasn't an Ex or anything

"You came!" he sung pulling away from me to hug the girl, I shortly followed joining the pair at the front of the studio
I stood there for a moment awkwardly twiddling my thumbs before James soon grabs my hand pulling me closer
"Ri this is Becky the family friend, Beck this is Riley my girlfriend" James smiled, I looked to the small blonde who had a smile from ear to ear

"It's lovely to meet you" I said making her smile wider if that was possible
"Oh Jamessss she's pretty and sweet. What on earth is she doing with you" Becky teased making James roll his eyes

"Becky here is going to replace Henry as an Alternate heaven forbid we need more then one at Regionals" James said making me widen my eyes slightly 
"I'm glad you could come so quickly" He said turning back to her

"Of course James, anything for you" She smiled making me chew the inside of my cheek 

Was it wrong to feel like a third wheel right now..?