What If?

.20.

The following morning rolled around and everyone was pumped for the real competition to start. First up was our duet. We all know that Ellie and Caiden have this in the bag. There is no way that they don't
"Natalie!" Ellie called pulling me away from the group. She was due on that stage in a matter of seconds
"What's up" I replied
"I can't do this" she said and I looked at her confused, this was not the time for her to get nervous and bail
"Yes you can Ellie, your routine with Caiden is flawless" I replied. I had the chance to already see it and it was perfect
"I can't. I've spent the morning watching all the other teams and theirs is so much better" She replied, I took my hands in hers
"Look Ellie, you and Caiden have something the other teams don't have" I answered making her look at me
"you have each other, now trust me when I say that is enough to help us win this thing" I smiled. She sighed and shook our hands that were still together
"Are you sure?" i asked, I glanced over my shoulder to see both Caiden and James looking at us with worry in their eyes
"I've never been so sure in my life" I replied
"Now lets get you back before the brothers pounce" I said making her laugh a little noticing the boys on the edge of their seats

It was time, Ellie and Caiden were about to take the stage and I could tell that Ellie was still panicking
"you've got this" I whispered
"Up next from The New York Academy, please welcome! Ellie and Caiden!" The host called, Ellie took one more look at me before nodding and heading on stage

It was perfect, it was outstanding, Ellie truly looked beautiful on stage
"And The New York Academy scores a whopping 98 points! Putting them in first place with 118 points! While Pittsburgh Dance World is in second with 95 points" The Host called making Ellie look prouder then she already was
As soon as she ran off that stage, she ran into my arms hugging me tightly
"Thankyou" She whispered, I smiled back at her
"I knew you could do it" I replied before she ran into Caiden's arms allowing him to pick her up before kissing her
"I don't know what you did, but I think you just made a friend for life" James smiled hugging me from behind, I chuckled and smiled
"I think over this year, I've made a lot of lifetime friends" I said cuddling into him as he kissed the top of my head

--

"What if we drop you?" Kieran asked, he's been saying this for the last 10 minutes. We've agreed to include some of the lifts I wanted to but not all of them because of their worries
"You won't" I replied stretching and using James as a support while doing so
"How do you know?" He asked
"Because I trust you boys, I'd trust you with my life. So I know you won't drop me" I replied. The rest of the team were sat in the audience. They wanted to be back here but there are far too many people here today
"This could knock us out of the competition though" Kieran exclaimed
"We are ahead by 23 points Kier" James reminded him
"But that doesn't mean that we won't get knocked out" Kieran rebutted
"Look Kieran, I get it your nervous. So was I on my first competition. Hell I still get that on Solo's but you need to stop doubting yourself okay?" I said placing my hands on his shoulder forcing him too look at me
"If you can promise me, it'll be okay" He replied looking at me with hopeful eyes
"I promise" I replied with a comforting smile
"Up next from The New York Academy, Lost in the Middle. Staring Natalie, James and Kieran" The host called
"It's go time" I replied looking at both boys before walking on stage

The music finished and I looked to both boys who had wide grins on their faces. I knew in that moment that they had conquered more then they realised
"I told you" I said to Kieran as we stepped forward to await our scores. He smiled at me right as the host began to speak
"The New York Academy scores 96 points leaving them in first place with 214 points!" The host called making all three of us jump with joy as we walked off of the stage

We were through the Semi finals tomorrow. The only routine to take us to the Finals is our 5 person dance. We need to be one of the top 2 scoring routines in order to get there. I know we have this, of course we do

We all decided to head out for dinner together, it was a cute little place. You were able to dance while you waited for food or afterwards
"Want to dance?" James smiled, I smiled back taking his hands going on to the dance floor with him slow dancing
"It's crazy how things have changed this year" He said earning a smile
"I never thought that going to the Academy would lead to all of this" He smiled looking around
"I know. It's all so crazy. I can't believe the year is over in a matter of weeks" I sighed. It feels just like yesterday I got here
"It's flown by" He chuckled
"What does that mean for you and I though? I'm assuming you'll go stay with your brother or sister?" James asked and I sighed
"I don't know, I haven't really thought that far ahead" I replied
"I think, if you were to go to Pittsburgh that we could make it work. Whats a couple months of Long distance" He chuckled, I looked at him and could tell her was serious
"You would really do that?" I asked and he nodded
"Of course I would Natalie, I wouldn't want to lose you for anything. No matter the miles" he said with a sweet smile before pressing his lips against mine as he dips me

"Mind if I cut in" We hear a voice say, we turn to see Caiden stood there. I won't lie I was a little confused but James nodded and began to dance with Ellie
"Hey" I smiled at Caiden
"I want to that you" He smiled, I looked at him confused again
"Thank me? For what?" I asked
"First off.. Without you, we would have gone home today. We've never made it this far" He chuckled
"And secondly, I've never seen James this happy. You've truly turned him into this amazing guy. I don't think his younger self would even recognise him" He said looking over at James spinning Ellie
"I didn't do anything" I replied smiling
"you may not have on purpose but you did in the long run Nat, but it's a good thing" He smiled
"But if he ever does anything to hurt you, I mean it. Call me and I'll end him" He said making me chuckle
"I saw you two carved your names in the tree. He never took that lightly. Out of all the girls he's dated. You are the first he even thought about doing that with" He smiled
"And I don't think he could have chosen a better person that take that chance with" Caiden replied
"Who knows maybe one day you'll be my sister in law" He chuckled making me laugh too with a small eye roll
"How about we try and survive 4 years first" I replied making him wriggle his eye brows at me
It's true though, James has changed. The first day I met him he was with a new girl every 10 minutes. Full of smirks and dirty minded jokes.. and now? Now it's pure smiles and happiness and luckily no girls other then me