What If?

.6.

It's only the third day here and I don't think I could ever feel more at home. I was about to walk into the studio when my phone started going off. I look at it to see it was my mum. After mumbling a few curse words to myself I head to answer but it was too late the call had ended. I sighed in defeat before heading in, it's still early so maybe I can blag it and say I was asleep?
"Morning sunshine" Mila smiled, I smiled back at her
"Did someone sleep?" Jess asked with a smirk on her face
"No, I just had something to do first" I replied and she raised an eyebrow before turning around and stretching
"Don't worry about her, something has been up her ass the entire week" Ashley said tapping me shoulder
"Thanks" I smiled and she nodded
It was nice knowing that regardless on Jess' shitty attitude I've somehow already made a stable group of friends
"She's just scared your gonna steal James" Kelsie laughed as Jess continued to flaunt over him
"For a pair that aren't in a relationship, she sure has her claws in tight" Ashley laughed
"She just doesn't like that he's showing you attention" Ashley added
"I mean who wouldn't" Mila laughed 
"I couldn't really care about Jess' attitude. It doesn't affect me as much as I thought it would have, I'm here to dance not to win her over" I replied and they all nodded
"That is the attitude to have" Kelsie said nudging me

It was now the end of our dance day, today was a half day which I didn't mind. I had booked some rehearsal space to work on the National solo but I've headed outside for a bit to call mum. Figured I can't escape that for too long
"Hey baby!" Her voice chimed as soon as it connect
"Sorry I didn't answer mum, I was asleep and then I had to rush around before heading out" I said to her
"That's okay, are you heading anywhere nice?" She asked and I shrugged
"I'm heading into the city to meet John for lunch" I lied 
"That's great baby, how are things? I'm certainly missing having you home" She replied chocking up a little
"I miss being home too mum, things are good though, John and I are spending a lot of nice quality time together" I replied with a smile
"That's great. You'll both have to come visit soon" She answered
Neither of us had thought that far ahead, it's pretty easy for John to get time off of work but me getting time out of the academy? Fat chance
"I'll speak to him now actually as he's just walking in. I'll let you go and text you later mum" I lied as I saw James approaching
"Alright baby stay safe" She replied before we hung up
I sighed locking my phone, I can't believe I just lied straight to my mothers face.. Yet she had no idea
"Hey hey" James said coming to sit next to me, I whipped the one tear that was threatening to leave
"Woah you good?" He asked and I nodded
"I'm heading to a studio, wanna come?" I asked. There was clearly a reason he came over, might as well practice while he talks
"Hmm sure" he said jumping to his feet

The studio I had booked was the studio we practiced in last night, I like this one the best I think, there is just something about it
I put all my stuff down and begin to stretch while James messes on his phone
"Is there a reason you came over? Or was Jess a little to boring" I suggested making him laugh
"Funnny!" He said closing his phone 
"I came to see what you were doing tonight, the boys, Ashley, Kelsie and I are going out for some food and wondered if you wanted to go" He asked
"What about Jess?" I asked
"Let's just say, she needs some time to mellow out huh" He replied
"I'm free" I chuckled practicing some spins
James soon sat on the floor going back on his phone as I started practicing, I won't lie.. I had no idea what to put into the Solo at all. I wasn't expecting to have to do it either
"That's nice" James said as I finished a sequence
"Is it? I thought it was a little out of time" I asked catching my breath
"Maybe speed it up just every so lightly. Like this" He said copying what I had just done
"What about this?" I suggest as I continued and he smiled
"Yeah then add something like this?" He offered 
"that's brilliant" I smiled making him chuckle and smile back
I put it all together and continued to work on it while James sat at the back of the studio

"Do you ever wonder where you would be with dance?" James asked as I joined him sitting at the back. We had been here for well over 3 hours now
"I know where I would be" I replied earning a look
"Without dance, I wouldn't be here, I probably would have gone with my dads plan for me and my sister" I replied and he nodded
"Are you close with your sister?" He asked and I shrugged
"Growing up we were closer then close but that happens when you share a room. I'm a lot closer to my brother. We used to argue a lot but as we both grew up we learnt to work together instead of against each other" I explained
"Hence how he's covering for your ass this year" James finalised
"Exactly" I replied finishing my drink
"What are you doing to do next year?" He asked and I shrugged
"I'm still trying to keep up this lie at that moment, we will worry about the rest later" I chuckled packing everything up
"There you guys are!" I hear Mila say as she walked into the studio
"What's up Mi" I asked and she smiled
"Leon put up the list" she smiled
"List?" I asked
"Our partners?" James asked earning a nod
"I thought that wasn't happening until Friday?" He then asked and Mila shrugged
"Come onnnnn" Mila whined making us both chuckle as we grabbed our bags following her out 

There were a huge group of people surrounding this paper, I wasn't worried about who I was pair with because everyone here was crazy talented
"I got Kieran" Mila smiled, I hugged her before looking for myself. I looked over at James who had the same look on his face
"Partners huh" He chuckled noticing our names were together
"apparently so, I have on condition though" I said stepping closer
"What is it?" He asked looking down at me
"Don't drop me" I replied making him chuckle with a smile
"Wouldn't dream of it" He smiled again
I glanced over his shoulder to see Jess stood there with the girl and to say she looked pissed was an understatement... Oh lordy lord