Too Young

85

James

We were due to be going through the the finals tomorrow. Sure we were up against Henry and Emily but that wasn't even a concern. Our routine was solid, they stood no chance
But the one concern I did have was Riley..

Our team is oblivious to what goes on behind the scenes as per usual but I'm not. She may have said her two pence to Emily earlier but that didn't mean she wasn't struggling right now
We were all out for dinner, celebrating yet another day of victory, but I could see her sitting silently pushing food around her plate instead of engaging in conversation or eating properly

Her usual isolation technique..

I rose from my seat sparking a few curious glances but one by one all of the boys started smiling along side Becky nodding slightly turning to Riley who was still avoiding all eye contact 
As I moved towards, I tapped her shoulder lightly making her turn around allowing me to motion her outside 

Now I had my doubts on her agreeing, after all we weren't on the best of terms given the circumstances
But if I know Ri like I do. This would be exactly what she needed

"What are you doing?" Riley said, her tone almost impassive.

Without saying another word, I pulled her into another hug. She didn't say anything but she instantly took a deep breath wrapping her arms around my torso closing her eyes while I started to stroke her back 

"Talk to me Ri" I said but she shook her head
"there isn't anything to talk about" She whispered against my chest
"Riley" I warned, she didn't say another word. We both stayed in the same position
"How about we get out of here?" I whispered pulling her in a little closer
"We can't James, we have the team dinner and-" She started 
"Screw the team Riley. You need space right now" I said
"We can't, I'm meant to be taking space from you" She whispered 
"I love you Riley but screw your space. It isn't what you want nor is it what you need right now" I said making her pull away too look up at me

"And what is it that I need?" She asked, her big brown eyes searching mine ever so slowly, the same eyes that only had to blink before they pulled me in
"You need something to take your mind off of all of this" I said
"You need someone to be there for you" I continued

"Let me be that person Ri, please" I whispered

There was a small subtle smile attempting to play her lips but Riley was doing her best not to let it show. And she was succeeding but I'd know that smile anywhere
That's the one smile that made me fall in love

"Okay" She whispered this time biting her lip while mine had a wide smile before taking her hand guiding her out of the restaurant completely leaving our friends far behind 

--

"How on earth did you find this place?" Riley asked as we walked into a small play park.
I was working on minimum knowledge of this city but I saw this place as we drove in at the beginning of this competition
The best way to cure her isolation is to get her mind of the situation at hand and I mean who wouldn't want to do that with a set of swings and a slide

"Want a push?" I asked making Riley look at me with her usual side eye
"I know your trick James. I'm not falling for that" She said as we both practically ran over to the swings taking a seat on the two that were next to each other

"And what trick would that be" I asked making her roll her eyes
"You'll push me ridiculously high to the point I want to throw up" She said 
"Would I ever do such a thing" I asked, Riley look at me and glared before nodding
"Yes James, yes you would" She said causing us both to laugh 

This is what I want, this is what I miss. Hearing her laugh, sitting around joking about. It's one thing we've lost through all of the drama and I hate it 
We've never had the smoothest sailing but we've always had each other no matter what was happening around us 
But I don't think this time around Riley realises that she still has me

"Alright Jump!" I said seeing Riley and I had both caught a manageable height
After finishing that sentence I leapt from the swing watching as Riley stayed put shaking her head

"Riley! Jump!" I called 
"No way! I don't want to die" She squealed 
"You seem to forget we both have to dance tomorrow!" She said kicking her legs about
"Riley Jump, I'm right here" I laughed
"no James!" She said making me chuckle
"Either jump or I'll push you higher babe" I said making her glare at me

"You wouldn't dare" She muttered
"Oh but I would" I smirked moving from my spot to head towards the back of the swing
"No no no okay okay I'll do it!" She squealed in terror
"Get your ass over here James" She yelled making me laugh as I returned to the front of the swings

I looked up at watching as she looked around almost trying to figure out her options but soon enough, she had jumped out of the swing heading straight for me with a loud scream leaving her lips and not stopping until she was safely in my arms

"I told you once I would never drop you Ri" I whispered making her open her eyes and look at me
I gently put her feet down to the floor stabilising her balance before she turned back to me, on hand still wrapped around my neck while the other laid flat on my chest

Riley looked up at me as if she wanted to say something but no words left her lips at all, instead she stood on her tippy toes leaning forward pressing our lips together in a soft and gentle kiss 

My arms snaked around her waist before reaching up to cup her cheek pulling her in closer before Riley pulled away placing our foreheads together

"You'll always be that person James" She whispered before letting me crash our lips together again