Three Steps Back

37

Riley

Everyone was at practice while I sat around in my dorm doing absolutely nothing, I knew for a fact if I had tried to. Either James or someone else would have almost murdered me for it
But I cannot sit around doing nothing. It's the most tedious thing on this planet
Which left me with one option..

"Riley, to what do I owe this pleasure" Liam smiled as I walked into his office
"well I can't exactly dance right now and staring at the same four walls was" I started before he cut me off with an eye roll
"Driving you insane?" He asked as I nodded
"Typical little Riley then" He chuckled
"you never could sit still for longer then 20 minutes" he winked making me roll my eyes 

Liam and I started to walk the halls, I barely spend any time here. The only time I've ever really come here is when I'm meeting Liam and then we're here for maybe 2 minutes or when James has practice but then I'm limited to one room
I've never really looked around

"So, how much is everyone smothering you?" Liam asked throwing his arm over my shoulder as we walked into a room full of sofas 

"Oh you have no idea" I muttered rolling my eyes as we sat down
"I mean I had a panicked phone call last night, something about you going wondering" He asked with a raised brow
"Don't you start please" I said making him chuckle
"You could have come here is all I'll say" He said making me nod
"Whether your ignoring everyone or not. You can always go missing here and I wouldn't tell a soul" he winked making me chuckle

"So little miss, Summer? What's happening?" He asked, I won't lie.. I didn't know
"Well James will be off touring" I said 
"But what are you going to do?" Liam asked
"I don't know, I have a million and one things to do before we move into the flat but I didn't really want to do them alone" I muttered making Liam sigh with a nod

"I mean James certainly has his timing" Liam said rolling his eyes
"but hey Lynsey and I would happily help. Plus let's be honest Dad will be smothering you too seeing as you're moving in with a boy" He winked before wriggling his brows 

"You know, I never thought that when I agreed to you lying and coming to the academy, I would be signing you away to a guy" He smirked

"Signing me away? Alright Dad" I said nudging him earning a laugh
"When I first met James though, it sort of clicked. Like you two are almost too perfect for each other" He said making me smile
"You think so?" i asked fiddling with a loose string on my jumper

"Oh I know do Riles, he levels you and keeps you lifted while you easily real him back in when his boots get too big" He chuckled

"That happens more often them not" I chuckled rolling my eyes
"It's James, I don't doubt that" Liam smiled
"But I also couldn't have asked for you to fall in love with anyone better" He winked 

The thing is, James and Liam have always got on like a house on fire. I think if they hadn't, it would have rang a few alarm bells for me and maybe James and I wouldn't be where we are today. 

--

"There is little lady!" Hunter cheered as I walked into the common room to see everyone in their usual spot, I headed straight over sitting next to James as he wrapped an arm around me instantly pulling me in close

"How was practice today?" I asked making them all shrug
"I think we are all going to kill this showcase, it'll be the best one yet" Michelle smiled
"What did you get up to today?" James asked stroking my hand lightly
"I went to see Liam" I said turning to look at him with a smile on my face

"Yeah? How is he?" James asked making me chuckle
"He's good" I said 
"What aren't you telling me?" He said narrowing his eyes playfully
"Hey brother sister talks are confidential. You have then with Piper, I have them with Liam" I teased tapping his nose

"It's fine, I'll just ask Liam myself" He warned making me roll my eyes
"Good luck with that, I swore him to secrecy" I smiled

 "Riii" He whined making me laugh again

This year is coming to an end but i can't help but think this is just the beginning of the next chapter.