flying • james and riley

| chapter two |

the feeling of dancing freely is greater
than anything in the world

"ATTENTION DANCERS!" Hearing the voice of The Next Step Dance Studio owner, Raelynn stood up from her spot on the ground next to Alfie. The brunette had strolled into the studio after spotting Alfie parking his car next to hers. "Welcome to the A troupe auditions." The group cheered with excitement. "Skylar is bringing around envelopes." The brunette flashed a smile at the young girl that gave her a brown paper envelope.

"I have two extra envelopes," Skylar said as she handed them both to Kate. Raelynn felt jitters crawl within her, unable to contain her excitement. She was literally buzzing on the spot. The brunette was wearing a white crop top with a pair of blue Adidas sweatpants. She wore a pair of fishnets under it, pulling it up all the way to her hips. Her brown hair was let loose as she paired the whole outfit off with grey sneakers that made her feel beyond comfortable when she danced in them.

"Everyone please open up your envelopes." Raelynn easily tore it open, pulling out a black card. "If you have a white card, please raise it up." Half of the room raised their card. "You'll be auditioning in the morning. If you have a black card, please raise it up." Raelynn raised her hand along with the others. "You will be auditioning in the afternoon."

Raelynn glanced to her left and grinned once she saw the black card in Alfie's hand as well. Even if they just became friends, they weren't going to go easy on each other. The brunette wanted to get into A troupe, and nothing was going to stop her.

"You have an hour until the first auditions. Use your time wisely. Warm-up, practice and good luck."

Once Kate explained everything, Raelynn walked off with her water bottle in her hand. Making her way through the studio, she found an empty room and grinned. She placed her bottle on the floor and laid down on the ground, slipping in her headphones. Raising her legs off the ground, the soft r&b music slowly began to fill the dancer's ears, her nerves dying down as relaxation poured into her, soothing her.

"Do you mind if I join you?" Hearing that sweet saccharine voice that lingered in her head for the past few days, a small smile broke out onto Raelynn's face as she opened her eyes, nodding her head at the older brunette. Riley felt her own grin spread across her lips, plopping down next to her. The two of them stretched their bodies with a comfortable silence surrounding them. Other people soon entered the room after them and did their own thing.

"So, how are you feeling?" Raelynn asked as she lolled her head to the side, stretching the muscles in her neck.

"Okay. After competing in internationals, I feel like I can do anything." The brunette hummed, nodding her head as she spread her legs in a v-shape, sliding down and stretching her back muscles.

"That's good." The two continued to do their own thing, basking in the presence of each other until Riley walked over to another girl who looked oddly familiar. Recognising the familiar facial features, Raelynn realised that the teenager must have been Riley's boyfriend's sister. The brunette increased the volume of her music and continued to stretch until they were all called back in. Raelynn placed her phone and headphones in her bag, sitting on one of the benches next to Alfie, their knees almost touching at how close they sat.

Raelynn watched Riley in amazement. She was in awe. The way Riley danced was so elegant and professional, her heart swelling with warmth — something she never felt in her whole life. She couldn't help but feel even more determined to dance harder. She wanted to be on the team with Riley. To dance with her.

"Amazing job, you guys!" Kate excalimed once the freestyle and choreography were over. "That was phenomenal stuff. Thank you so so much," she clasped her hands together. "We have an hour break, and the afternoon session will begin." Everyone clapped their hands and Raelynn walked over to Riley, a big grin on her face.

"You were amazing," she congratulated. Riley felt her cheeks darken in colour as her heartbeat picked up at the sight of the brown-haired beauty.

"Thank you," she grinned, panting slightly.

"Come on. Let me buy you a drink." The two girls laughed softly before making their way down to the juice shop at the ground floor. Once they got there, they ordered their drinks and Raelynn paid for them, ignoring the protests leaving Riley's mouth.

"I could've paid," Riley mumbled as she sat on the edge of the wooden table. Raelynn let out a laugh, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear as she crossed her legs.

"Yeah, I know. But I invited you, so I pay." The brunette winked. The two conversed with each other until a beautiful blonde came and joined them.

"Michelle, this is Raelynn. Raelynn this is Michelle," Riley introduced them, smiling kindly. The two shook hands before they all talked about how the auditions were going.

"I'm kind of nervous," Michelle admitted, clutching her hand around her juice bottle.

"All you got to do is focus, and everything else will be perfect." Riley squeezed her hand encouragingly, an act that sparked a dark feeling inside Raelynn's stomach. She didn't like Riley touching Michelle at all.

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Raelynn reassured, throwing a smile at her. "After all, there's only one person I know who's been Miss National soloist twice," she grinned, winking. "Anyway, I'm off. I'm gonna go stretch some more."

Raelynn waved her hand goodbye as she walked off, her hips swaying as she did so. Riley couldn't help but watch her leave, entranced by the beauty.

"You like her, don't you?" Michelle noted as she placed her chin on the cap of her juice bottle.

"W-what? I don't know what you're talking about," Riley said her cheeks painted over with a searing hot red. Michelle giggled, shaking her head as she knew her best friend a lot. She could read right through her, and she knew that Riley really liked Raelynn and she was going to make sure it happened. No matter what.