My protector

34. In Trouble

James POV:

I see the garden flood with people in a matter of minutes. And with that, all my nerves and anxieties kick in. But I can't let it get the better of me.

Im here for Riley, I'm doing this for her. I have to pull it together. I can't teach her how to step from her comfort zone if I can't myself.

The music is balering from the speakers and I can barely here myself think. Everyone's shouting in attempt to be heard creating even more noise. God I hate parties.

I scan the garden in search to find Riley and I soon spot her. Talking to some of her friends by the drinks. I then push through the crowd in that direction, not 100% concidering my choice.

But then I stop.

'James you gonna embarrasse her, dont cut in mid convo.' I tell myself. I cant just jump in, it will aggravated her friends. So instead I chose to grab a drink slightly further away, that way, if she wanted me over there she'll pull me over.

"oh, James, come over here!" I then hear a familiar voice shout. I take a sip of my freshly poured drink and turn to face her.

Now do I act like the couple we are or do I not? I don't know if they know and or if she wants them to know... Its like there's a bad possible outcome for everything I could choose to do.

"hey" I say casually walking towards the small group. By not using a nickname at all it won't seem to werid and it won't give anything away. Once I know who knows what I'll be able to know what to say. God this is stressful.

"so who's that?" I hear one girl quiz. She has curly long black hair and is wearing a pastel green dress, finishing at her knees. I recognise her from school but I can't remember her name.

"this is James, my boyfriend" she says with pride. I smile weakly. I honestly thought she was going to friend zone me in effort to not be embarrassed. But thankfully I was wrong.

I snake one arm around her shoulders and pull her into a side hug, kissing her forehead lightly in the process.

"awww cute!" the other girl gushes. I chuckle softly and take another sipe of my drink.

We stand and chat for a while. Ive suddenly felt less nervous since I've been with Riley. The way she smiles and laughs with her friends somehow comforts me.

So long as she's happy I'm happy.

"hey James! I'm going to head inside to grab something to eat! I'll be back in a minute" she raises her voice due to the loud music. I nod and pull her in for a kiss before she walks away. Gaining a few 'oo's and 'aww's from her friends.

"so how long have you known Riley for?" a girl with light ginger hair enquires.

"for quite a while actually" I say simply. Watching her walk into the building. I know she's known me for not so long but I've known her since we were kids. So she's no stranger to me.

"and how long have you been dating for?" another girl follows up.

"uh not very long" I say as simply as I can while scratching the back of my neck.

They continue to bombard me with questions until I'm suddenly hit with a
Pain in my chest. I wince at the pain. Catching the girls attention.

"are you alright James?" the black haired girl asks in concern.

"ya I'm fine I-" I start but wince again. What the fuck?

I quickly excuse myself from the crowd and wonder towards the building. Sitting down on a kitchen stall once I'm in.

I thought sitting would ease the pain but it does nothing. If anything it hurts more now.

The pains more so around my heart. As if im reading or watching something sad. It's not the easiest thing to describe. It's just like a ache in the heart, I suppose.

Wait a minute...

I scan the room im in, in search for the table with food piled on top. Riley went in to grab snacks... But she's not there...

The pain doesn't go away and I'm starting to panic.

Rileys in trouble...