Too Young

60

Riley

"I think there is something we need to talk about" A voice said making me turn around with my school books clutched to my chest
There leaning against the corner of the wall was West looking at me with concern

"Hey" I smiled making him shake his head
"You and I have something to talk about" he continued making me sigh. I looked at him and nodded knowing this would most likely be about James 

I followed West out of the corridor until we got to a bench in the courtyard. Across from us was James and everyone else. None of them noticing us yet which is probably for the best. I did not want any attention drawn right now considering Emily and Henry are only a few tables in front of James'

"what's up West" I asked making him look at me before pursing his lips together
"When were you going to tell someone you were blackmailed" He said making me look at him confused

"I know all about Henry, his plan with Emily and now his plan with you" He said making me look  behind him to see James glancing over but behind him I had Henry looking this way too

"What is his plan with Emily?" I asked and West shot me a look
"If I tell you, you'll talk to me about the James situation?" He offered and I nodded subtly

"Emily was only on his team so that it would mess with your head. He's only dating her to keep the ruse going" He explained
"I don't know what it is about him, but he seems to have this dangerous obsession with you Riley" He muttered

I closed my eyes tightly, I knew if I opened and looked around I would easily cry. I fell straight into his trap..

"Now James?" He asked making me sigh
I looked over at my tall brunette. The one who managed to make anything better by the smallest twitch of a smile 
Yet I threw that all away

"Henry told me if I didn't break it off with him then he would hurt Emily. Well he said he would make her existence hell" I mumbled
"I couldn't do that to Emily. Sure she hadn't been the most ideal sister as of recently but who's not to say he's been driving that?" I offered making West nod

"Oh no, I reckon he is the complete reason for the hatred you two had going on. But Riley, why wouldn't you come to us. We could have helped you" West said making my gaze land on Emily

My Sister, the stubborn one out of the two of us but also the most clueless in this moment of time.. how ironic 

"It's Em West. Before this came to light she wasn't talking to us" I said
"Why on earth would she believe me, or any of us" I asked making him sigh and nod
"No I understand that. I've already tried to talk to her about it and she shot me down" He muttered

--

I looked back over at Emily to see her smiling as she was cuddled up with Henry, James was looking at me with the same heartbroken eyes he had that night I ended it all 

"I had to choose between them both, it was an impossible choice. I was going to hurt one of them regardless" I continued
"I just hope I hurt the one that would forgive me" I muttered making West place his hand on top of mine

"Do you want my honest opinion Riley?" He asked, I bit my lip lightly looking up before nodding again

"You love James and James clearly loves you. This time apart is going to do nothing more then prove that" He said 
"There is something about the pair of you that is so undeniably perfect." He smiled making me gaze back at James 

"Just don't get into your head too much. Don't isolate yourself because you'll be your hardest battle Riley" He whispered

"Depend on us" He continued making me gaze shift back to him before nodding 

"Please don't tell anyone" I muttered making West look at me confused
"let me sort something, let me figure out what to do. Then I'll tell everyone" I said but West sighed
"Riley, I think this is a little more then one person can handle" He said but I shook my head

"Give me a shot West. For everyone involved.." I whispered, he sighed before nodding 

All I needed to do was get Emily to trust me again before I help with her escape plan. I just hope that James is still waiting by the end of it..

I looked over at James one last time, his gaze still on me. The same hurt eyes following my every move
I sighed once more before offering him the smallest smile...

The moment I did, I think I restored some hope for both of us..