Three Steps Back

9

James

It's been a 3 weeks since classes started and the pressure is certainly hitting all of us. We thought our classes were stressful enough, but having the usual classes plus and extra curricular.. That's a lot
"ello ello ello" West said jumping down on the sofa in front of us
"How do you have so much energy" I asked and he smiled
"Caffeine my friend, caffeine" He said
"Where are the girls?" Hunter asked and I shrugged
"I think Riley is still with Piper and their one to ones" I said and they nodded
"but Michelle, I have no clue" I chuckled

Moments later Riley walked in coming straight over to us with a smile on her face
"Somebody's happy" Eldon teased making her roll her eyes
"Of course" She said pressing our lips together before taking a seat  
"Riley, I need you" Michelle said running in and grabbing Riley's arm before anyone could say anything

"Dare we even want to know?" Hunter asked making us all laugh
"Knowing them, probably not" I said 
I glanced over my shoulder to see the girls long gone. Guess I'll have to spend time with Riley another time then..

--

The next morning, I walked into the music block to see Liam stood there almost as if he was waiting for me
"James" He nodded
"Liam" I said matching his tone
"What's up?" He asked and I raised my brows
"Let's step into the office" he said making me look at him even more confused but I did as I was told

 "First Riley's moody, you've been gloomy all week. What is up with you both" He asked
"Riley's moody?" I asked and he nodded
"Has she not bit your head off?" He asked making me bow my head
"I've barely seen her" I said making him raise a brow
"that explains the long fancy and Riley's agitated state" Liam muttered to himself
"Why aren't you two seeing each other?" He asked and I shrugged

Honestly, our schedules just clash so much we barely get a spare moment together and if we do, one of us is usually exhausted
"I'm pretty much here all the time like Riley is with her one to ones" I said and he gave me a look
"You both managed to go two summers of long distance but you can't get over a little scheduling nightmare?" He asked making me sigh again

"When are her one to ones?" Liam asked 
"Monday 12-4 and Thursday 1-3" I said 
"Sorted, instead of coming in on those mornings. Come in when she's at her class" He said making me look up at him
"What about the boys?" I asked
"The boys are here 24 hours of the day, a little movement like that isn't going to do shit James" He laughed
"Now will you go and get my sister off the spike that's up her ass" He laughed making me nod running out of the building

You know, there are times where I'm glad Riley has Liam. For one big reason.. It means I have Liam too and that boy, he's a fucking saint

I ran back into our building heading upstairs to Riley's dorm. My guess is she's working on her coursework in her room
And from the scene the moment I open the door. I was correct
"What are you doing here?" Riley asked looking at me
"Thought you had band?" She continued to ask but I wasn't about to delay this. Fuck her questions for a minute

I rushed over to her crashing our lips together making her giggle lightly before wrapping her arms around my neck while mine scooped around her legs picking her up
"James" She laughed motioning to the door, I rolled my eyes before kicking the door shut with Riley still in my arms 

--

"As much as I enjoyed that, James why are you here?" Riley asked stroking my cheek as we laid in her bed
"I've moved a few things around, band is now when you have your class" I smiled making her smile
"You did that?" She asked and I pulled a face
"Well... Liam did but hey I'll take the credit" I muttered pressing our lips together again

"He made a very valid point" I said making her look up at me with her innocent eyes
"You are my priority Ri, how we managed to get this distant is beyond me but I'm going to do my damnedest to make sure it doesn't happen again" I said 
"i love you, you know that?" Riley asked and I smiled
"I love you most" I said pressing my lips on hers again