My Neighbour

fifty three

James

"Has she spoken to you?" West asked, for the last two weeks. Riley hasn't spoken to me and I can't blame her
She's barely seen the girls too which of course I feel terrible about but Riley is adamant that this is our problem and there shouldn't be a reason why the girls are around
But I hate the fact she's isolating herself 
"Of course she hasn't" I said closing me locker
"I broke her heart" I continued as I turned looking across the corridor to see Riley stood at her locker

"if it makes you feel better, she reached out to us last night" Giselle said grabbing my attention
"Oh yeah?" I asked and she nodded
"What about?" Eldon asked 
"She wants us to know that she's still there if we need anything" Giselle said
"And she said to extend that invitation to all of you" Thalia said before catching my gaze with a soft smile
I glanced back over to see Riley closing her locker and walking away with her back to us

"So there is hope?" West asked and I shrugged
"Time will tell" I replied making both boys smile 

--

It was later that day, i was in the library for the first time ever. On my own at least
We used to spend a lot of time here as Riley would always be here but since the girls have been with us, they don't tend to be here
I figured Riley would have been here during the day. So I chose to come after school so I didn't disturb her space

But I was pleasantly surprised to look up and see Riley a couple tables away working on something. I hadn't seen or heard her come it
I glanced over at her only to see her look at up for a second
And with in that second she had made eye contact with me. I saw her breath hitch before she offered me a small smile
Gladly returning it she then put her head back down to work

Maybe there actually is some hope? God I really hope so 

I won't lie to you, the temptation to go over and test my limits right now is almost too much. But the risk, the aftermath isn't something I'm prepared for 
If I went over there and it went badly. I could lose her forever

As I glanced up again I could see her biting her lip but she soon took a deep breath before standing up walking this way
I looked at her a little confused until she took a seat in front of me
"I have news" she said making me smile
"What's up" I asked, she bit her lip again taking out her phone looking down at it before showing it to me

Congratulations. Your place at Julliard has been confirmed!

I looked at her in disbelief but with the biggest smile on my face
"Ri! That's amazing! I told you that you'd get in" I smiled taking her hand
Part of me thought she would have snatched her hand back but I was happily surprised when she joined me in celebrating

"We both know you played a big part in it James" She smiled looking at me, it had been a long time since I had been close to her or even heard her voice
"All I did was press apply" I answered making her shake her head

"Thankyou" she said making me nod
"you're welcome Ri" I said 
"Are we good?" I asked testing the waters 
But that was all it took for her to shut down again
She took her hand out of my grasp to begin fiddling with her fingers

"I want to say yes James but I need some more time" She confessed I sighed nodding making her look at me
"Take all the time you need Ri, I'll be here" I said offering her a smile, she returned it nodding before walking away

This may not have been the biggest Win, but it was a win none the less. The hope I have was solidified, we would be okay

Eventually