Saving Riley

18

Piper's POV

When I joined The Next Step, I knew I had big shoes to fill. After all, I'm James' little sister. The guy who won internationals with his gorgeous duet with Riley. When I joined here I thought I could use his legacy and turn into my own but I stand corrected
I spend day in and day out trying to get it out of people's heads what they expect from me because of James
I'm not just his little sister, I'm Piper. I'm Piper Ann Tordjman. I want to be able to come out from behind his shadow and show people who I truly am. And today, today is my chance
"Hi Miss Kate. Can I speak to you?" I asked knocking on her door that was already open
Miss Kate looked up from her laptop and smiled at me before allowing me to come in
"What's up Piper" She asked as I took a seat
"I want to Audition for the National Solo" I said making her raise her eyebrows
"Really? I mean of course you can but are you sure Piper?" Miss Kate asked and I nodded
"I've never been so sure" I smiled
"Well, Auditions are in a month so be prepared" She smiled
I nodded and made a swift exit, I knew I had some tough competition against me but I knew I had to do this, I need to prove to people who I am

I walked into Lost & Found to share the good news and to hope Riley would be there too so I can ask for her help, sure enough I found James but no Riley
"What's up Pipesqueak" He asked ruffling up my hair causing me to shoot daggers at him
"I'm auditioning for the National Solo" I said making him smile and widen his eyes
"Wow Pipes! I didn't know you wanted to do that!" He said hugging me
"Well I can't stay in your shadow my entire life can I" I replied making him roll his eyes
"Piper, You are your own person, you make your own choices and decisions. You aren't hiding in my shadow. If that was the case you would have listened to me about waiting to join A-Troupe" He said
He wasn't wrong. When I first told James I was auditioning he did all he could to talk me out of it, but being at The Next Step was something I wanted from a very young age when James started to progress here
I saw how happy it made him, how determined he was and I knew this place would be a good place for me too
"Regardless, I'm constantly graded next to you whether we want that happening or now. People look at your achievements then look at me" I replied and he sighed
"I didn't realise it was that bad Pip, why didn't you say anything?" he asked and I shrugged, I figured it was a normal sibling thing
"You could have spoken to Riley too, she went through this all with Emily" He confessed and I nodded. I knew if I needed to talk to him or Riley about that they would be ready with open ears but I never saw the point
"Speaking of Riley, where is she?" I asked and James furrowed his brows at me
"She should still be teaching?" He asked and I shook my head
"Her space is closed, lights are off and everything" I replied making him look back towards the corridor before looking at me again
"I don't know then Pipes, why do you ask?" he then asked
"I was going to see if she had time in her crazy schedule to help me with my Solo" I said and he chuckled
"I'm sure she would be happy to help you, believe it or not. Riley auditioned for the National and International Solo" He smiled
"Really? What happened, I thought Michelle was the National and then Giselle was International?" I asked
"Yeah they were, Michelle took a leave of absence and we had to try replace because we didn't know if she was coming back and then Riley was all ready to perform at Internationals but Ella, our exchange from England stole Riley's Solo after Riley learnt to trust Ella" James asked and my eyes widened
"Is it that toxic in competitions?" I asked, I had been to plenty but I had never been a showcase, I was always in group dances that was it
"It can be but you'll have the team around to fight with you Pipes, don't worry" I said ruffling my hair again

--

James' POV

Walking into the Venue to meet the boys, it was surreal. It felt like our first time all over again but amped up a lot, it was something knew. I don't think we have played a venue this big yet
"Isn't it crazy!" Theo said jumping around and tapping my shoulder, I chuckled as John grabbed him by the shoulder to tell him to calm down
"Theo man, you are gonna burn out all of your energy" I said but Theo shook his head before showing a cup of coffee
"Who gave the boy coffee?" A familiar voice said from behind us
We all turned to see Michelle, Eldon and West stood there. They all smiled at us before walking over and hugging us one by one
"Have you spoken to Riley?" I asked Michelle as she hugged me
"Nope, We headed to meet her after her last class but Miss Kate said she took the afternoon off, I figured she was here?" She asked as we pulled away
"No, Michelle I did something stupid and I think I've messed up" I rambled, Michelle gripped my arm pulling me off to the side
"What did you do?" she asked glancing back at everyone to make sure they weren't listening
"I went to Lucas' hotel room to confront him and now he's on a bender to her Riley and I" I confessed causing Michelle to sigh
"It isn't your fault James, I don't blame you. I wanted to do the same but Riley made me promise I would never go looking for him. She knew what he was capable off and didn't want me getting hurt. I guess she didn't warn you?" She asked and I scratched the back of my neck
"Well uhm... She did warn me" I muttered
"And You didn't listen? James!" She exclaimed and I sighed
"See, I've messed up and now she won't even talk to me, she said she needs time to sort it all out. What does that even mean?" I asked 
"You know Riles, she likes to have all her ducks in a row. Give her the time and space she need James" she whispered and I sighed nodded. Michelle was right, but I won't ever admit that

Riley's POV

Here I stood, on enemy territory. This was the last place I wanted to be but at the same time, it was the place I needed to be
I had to stand my ground with Lucas. I had to make him know that I'm not willing to be his victim anymore, I've grown up and I know what I am worth, and He isn't worth the worry
"Well look who it is?" Lucas' voice said as he leant against the doorframe after opening the door. My breath hitching at just the mere sight of him...
This was going to be harder then I thought../