Too Young

76

Riley

Nationals...

If you had told me back at Regionals auditions that I would be here right now, I would have called you delusional. 
If you had told me I would be here with out my sister, I would have personally checked you into the psych ward..

We walked onto the stage and I couldn't believe how much bigger it was then the Regional stage. It was almost double the size
I don't think any one here has ever been competing in this level 
This afternoon we start with the solos. Eldon is up first with the male solo followed by me shortly after 

Before anyone could even mutter a single word we were soon joined by another team with a fair few familiar faces
"Look what we've found" Henry said with his arm tightly around the girl I once called my sister 

"What do you want?" James asked taking me into his arms. I couldn't blame him considering Henry's track record
"Just came to see how you're doing with our sloppy seconds" Henry laughed nodding at Jackson who bowed his head 

"We could say the same to you" James said nodding towards Emily who rolled her eyes
"She's actually our secret little weapon. Her and her sister will be going head to head in all of the rounds" Henry smirked making me look at Emily a little confused

"Emily?" I asked but she didn't dare look at me for even a second 

"As cute as reunion would be. We should go prepare to beat your ass at these solo rounds" Henry laughed before leaving with Emily not even thinking of turning back to look at us 

I turned to look at the rest of the team who looked just as concerned as I did. This was about to be one of the toughest battles yet
Not because we couldn't do it, but purely because I was now up against one of my own flesh and blood 

--

Eldon had performed and I was in the dressing room attempting not to psych myself out when it came to this performance 
This is going to go one of two ways..

I'll walk out there and Emily will have taken the routine I showed her a few weeks ago. She'll completely stab me in the back and use the routine as her own

Or..

I'll walk out there and she'll be doing her own choreo and everything will be fine 

"Earth to Ri" A voice said making me flutter my eyes a few times on before zoning back in on James
"you okay?" He asked earning a blank look from me

I don't think I've been okay since this all started

"You've got this" he whispered pulling me in closely by the waist, I looked up at those same brown eyes that have never uttered a single lie to me in the entire time I've known him
I wanted to believe him
I wanted to believe it more then ever 
But the odds are stacked up against me and I really don't know what's to come

"I hate to break this up, but Emily is about on stage" Eldon said lightly tapping on the door, I close my eyes for a second before opening them and nodding
I left James' arms moving past both boys to get to the wings to watch my sister 

I wish I was supporting her, instead of just watching but that is not an option right now

"Riley, isn't this-" Becky said making me sigh with a nod
"My music" I said looking out to watch Emily's routine 

"That was your dance Ri" James breathed out only reminding me what I already knew
"She wants to play dirty" I sighed making everyone look at me

Miss Kate turned to stand in front of me, knowing Miss Kate she was concerned about the main problem at hand. I had to be on stage in one more dance and I no longer had a routine
After Emily finished her routine, she was declared the victor in her sectional. Meaning her team is moving on to tomorrow 

"I know what to do" I whispered looking at her as she had a smug smile on her face
I was going to take one song I know hits her hard and I was going to go full out

Emily was not prepared for what I had in store