Three Steps Back

36

James

"but where is she now?" Hunter asked making me turn to him with a glare
"do you really think I would be sat here twiddling me thumbs if I knew that" I exclaimed
"Boys chill out, it's Riley. She's probably gone to let off some steam" Michelle said trying to calm the situation

"How do you figure? We've looked everywhere" West said
"We all know Riley well enough to know she'd have a few tricks up her sleeve. Give her till morning then we'll go from there" Michelle said 

But I couldn't do that, I wasn't about to sit around waiting. I needed to know Riley was okay, I needed to talk to her
I needed to find out what was going on

I rose to my feet heading back out of the room, I wanted to give this one last stab before giving up. I didn't want to give up but Riley was really limiting my options
"James!" A voice called making me turn around to see Emma stood there
For someone who was very much involved with us last year, it's strange to think she's been here the entire time and we were yet to bump into her

"What's up?" I asked, hoping the conversation wouldn't take much
"I erm just bumped into Riley. She asked me to ask you to meet her" Emma said making me furrow my brows
"Where to?" I asked
"Where else" She smiled

I smiled to myself before nodding heading back to the first years block, we may have lost to rooftop when we moved dorms but we've still spent a lot of time here this year

As I walked up the stairs, I could see Riley sat in the spot we would always sit at, it had the perfect view of the city, it was very much a staple in our relationship
The creak of the old door was what alerted Riley to my presence, she turned to me offering me a smile
A smile that was almost difficult to read..

But sure enough the moment my arms were open, Riley came over allowing me to engulf her into a hug
I didn't know what was going on but something tells me I will shortly

--

Riley and I went to sit back on the ledge, I won't lie I miss spending every evening up here
"Ri, what's going on?" I asked but she sighed gently stroking my arm as it laid on her waist
"I don't know, I guess I got a little too in my head. You and everyone else were so concerned about my injury and I don't know it got a little much?" She offered, I sighed placing a kiss on the top of her head

"I don't want you to throw everything away over this Ri, it'll get better as long as you rest" I said making her nod
"I know" She muttered

"I'm not giving up, I just, I don't know I had a moment?" She offered 
"And you are allowed to have them but please don't shut me out" I asked
"You had no idea how worried we all were not knowing where you were. We looked everywhere" I said making her chuckle lightly 
"Clearly not everywhere" She winked making me roll my eyes this time

"Where were you?" I asked, She turned to face me with a smile on her face
"Fourth year corridor" She said

"What? Why?" I asked making her laugh
"Because it was the only place none of you would have looked and would you look at that I was right" She teased as I rolled my eyes
"I spoke to two fourth years there who opened my eyes to a lot of things" She smiled, I tilted my head to encourage her to continue

"All you need to do is get back on the horse but to have someone around to catch you when you fall" She smiled 

I copied her smile before gently leaning down to kiss her
"I'll always be there to catch you when you fall, as long as you continue to let me" I whispered, Riley smiled wider before reaching up and wrapping one arm around my neck pulling me in to another kiss

"I wouldn't want it to be anyone else" She whispered closing the gap between us again