Three Steps Back

12

James

"She's probably still hungover" Michelle growled the next morning, we were all in group waiting on Riley and a couple others to arrive
"Michelle cut it out" Eldon said before I had the chance to
Michelle has been extremely bitter since seeing Riley's instagram and I think at this point it was getting on everyone's nerves
"morning" Riley smiled walking towards us, she gently pressed her lips against mine making me smile before turning to everyone 

"Look who finally decided to join us" Michelle bit making Riley raise her brow at her
"What's up your ass" she joked but little did she know, that was only going to fuel the situation
"Why don't you just go back to your friends, you know the ones that became family" She growled making Riley roll her eyes 
"Jealousy isn't a good look for you Mich" Riley teased but Michelle rolled her eyes

"your not actually annoyed at me for going out last night are you?" Riley asked with a slight stutter
"Yeah Riley, I am." Michelle said crossing her arms
"Why?" She asked
"Because we all thought we were family to you. Only to see you talking and hanging with other people?" Michelle asked and Riley scoffed

"that's rich Michelle, coming from your especially" She said
"When was the last time you bothered to check in with me? Hang out with me? You've moved on to your acting friends leaving me behind" Riley ranted
"Those people I went out with last night were people from my home town, people I've grown up with. People I competed with. People who have been there long before I even knew you existed, but if you want to be incredibly petty and be jealous over that then maybe, you aren't the friend I thought you were" Riley finished making all of us widen our eyes slightly 

"you don't mean that" Michelle said standing up
"Don't I?" Riley asked matching her confidence
"Tell me Michelle, do you even remember what today is?" Riley asked, I don't think I could ever forget what it was but I guess this is the real test to see if Michelle knows
"What?" Michelle asked and Riley sighed
"And I have my answer" Riley said bowing her head
"Come talk to me when your doing be petty, until then. I don't want anything to do with you" Riley said walking out the door

Of course I came running after Riley, I completely forget how fast she was for someone so small
As soon as I caught up to her outside we both stopped and Riley turned to me
"You aren't mad at me too are you?" She whispered amongst some tears, I shook my head pulling her onto my chest
"No Riley, I trust you remember?" I said kissing the top of her head 
I don't think Michelle truly realises what just happened

--

Riley and I were back in her dorm, neither of us returning to group but I'm pretty sure if Mr Anderson was to turn up, he would understand
"Do you think I would have disappointed her in the year she's been gone?" Riley asked as I traced circles on her arm
"No Ri, I reckon she's been looking down at you while you've done nothing but make her proud. She would have had the biggest smile on her face the entire time" I said making her smile as she cuddled up closer to me

"I miss her" Riley said sighing
"I know you do, She misses you two" I said making Riley look at me before closing her eyes putting her head down again
"Did you want to go see Liam or your Dad tonight? I can drive you" I offered and she looked at me again
"You'd do that?" She asked and I smiled
"Of course I would Ri" I said before she pressed her lips against mine again
"Can we go now?" She asked and I chuckled with a nod

We got into the car and text Liam to see if he would meet us at their Dad's to which he agreed and Riley and I headed off straight away
The moment we got there we realised that Emily had beaten us there without us even planning it
"Riley!" Peter called hugging her
"And James" He smiled hugging me next
"How did you beat us!" We heard another voice say behind us where we saw Liam and Lynsey getting out of the car

As soon as they got closer, Liam hugged Riley before hugging me
"You must be James" Lynsey said
"And you must be Lynsey" I said as she hugged me
"you tamed the untameable" I chuckled making Liam roll his eyes at me
"Warning Lynsey, those two get into a lot of trouble together" Emily said joining us all 
"Agreed" Riley said making us all laugh
This was something I think everyone needed but won't admit. I think coming home each year for this is going to become the best tradition this family has ever seen