What If?

.10.

As I headed to practice a month or two later I bump into someone's chest causing me to crash on the floor instantly
"I'm so sorry" I replied as I get up to see a tall brunette stood there too
"Hey, It's my bad. I must have hit you with the case" he said motioning to the guitar case next to him
"I think I walked into it" I chuckled
"Well I'm a clutz so it was most likely me" He chuckled 
"I'm Natalie" I smiled
"I'm Freddie" he smiled back shaking my hand
"I won't lie, i forgot this place was more then dancing" I said making him chuckle
"A dancer I take it?" He askes and I nod
"A guitar player I assume?" I replied making him laugh and nod
"What gave that away" He questions
"The jacket for sureee!" I joked making him laugh again
"How about to apologise for this bump I take you out for some coffee?" He asked, Was he really shooting his shot
"Hey Nat! you ready?" James asked. I nodded at James 
"I'll be in in a second" I replied. James looked Freddie up and down before walking past
"I'd love to grab a coffee, practice ends at 5?" I offered
"I'll meet you outside the dorms at 5:30 then?" Freddie asked
We both agreed on a location and finalised the times before I headed inside the team's new studio

"James zip it and stretch" Caiden warned him as he was loudly speaking to Kieran
"Natalie!" Ellie smiled as I put my bag down heading over to the boys
"Have you finalised your Solo yet?" Caiden asked. I honestly thought I was about to get a bollocking
"Now 100%?" I suggested
"Can we see it?" He asked and I shrugged agreeing
"We have news about it but we want to see it first. Don't mind Mr grumpy today" Ellie said patting my back as I hooked

People began to clap as I finished off the piece but Ellie and Caiden were stood there looking a little upset
"What is going on? You look like I've just shot your cat" I said
"Hey leave Greg out of this" James bit making us all laugh
"That piece is beautiful Natalie" Ellie started
"And it sucks that we can't use that at Nationals" Caiden muttered underneath his breath
"The reason we have this new Studio designed for us with the black out windows is because someone recorded your rehearsal and sent it to all the troupe we are up against" Ellie said making my breath hitch as we all started chattering amongst ourselves
"We know who did this right?" I asked the boys and they both sighed
"Do your reckon she would stoop that low" Kieran asked and James nodded
"I would bet on it" He muttered
I sighed knowing that as much as Jess won this round this stupid game noone wants to play is only beginning 

"So about that dude" James asked as we all sat on our small break
"What about him" i laughed drinking my water
"What's the story?" He asked and I laughed again
"What's it to you?" I questioned
"Curiosity killed the cat" he replied
"We are going for a coffee after practice" I replied making him tense up
"As a date?" He asked and I shrugged
"I don't know, I just met that guy" I replied getting back to my feet
"knock it off. Stop being so obvious" I hear Caiden mutter to James as we all take our positions again

"Natalie, come" Ellie said
"Hello" I replied standing with all 4 other girls
"We are working on our 5 person dance and want you to be our final member" She smiled, I looked at all the girls with a smile
"I'm honoured" i replied making them all chuckle as we all started working on it

Glancing over to James during rehearsal he was either looking like someone had slapped him or he was in a deep discussion with Caiden and or Kieran. There was no in between?
"You okay?" I asked as we were over by our bags ready to leave, he looked at me and nodded
"Just great" He grumbled before leaving. I sighed zipping at my bag before noticing Caiden was looking at me, I glanced at him and he offered me a smile
"Don't let him attitude bother you Natalie. He'll grow up soon" Caiden sat patting my bag
I wasn't sure what was going on but at the same I don't know if I wanted to. James and I have a good relationship going on even with the added side of drama from Jess. I wouldn't want to ruin that by digging too deep
"Hey" Kieran said coming over to me
"Hey, any idea what his problem is?" I asked hoping he knew I meant James
"Honestly, he's just a little butthurt" he said nudging me
"Why?" I asked
"You two are close right?" he asked and I nodded. We spend most evenings together
"He's a little jealous that you're ditching him for some random guy tonight" Kieran confessed
"I don't get it? We didn't have any plans tonight" I replied
"No official ones, but you and James just kind of end up spending the time together. But tonight there isn't an option for that so he's throwing a little hissy fit but he'll get over it Nat, just have fun tonight" Kieran said as we got to my room, I sighed and nodded heading inside

I don't want to hurt James, I just don't know what he expects from me. I want to be able to make some friends besides our dance ones. I want to be able to be friends with anyone I can without any backlash
"Ready to go?" Freddie asks as I got to the end of the dorms, I look over to see James sat with everyone just down the corridor. He was looking at me and I wanted to just go over to him but yet I found myself replying
"Yeah" I answered as Freddie and I started walking away leaving James with the gang. He's got people with him, he shouldn't miss me.
It's okay Natalie
It'll all be okay