Change Your Mind

8

James

It's been a couple weeks since I gave Riley the letter, I hadn't heard anything back but I wasn't expecting a reply
A-Troupe auditions were next week and tonight is our last scrummage with B-Troupe. I hadn't gone to the last 2 just merely to give Riley her space but the rest of A-Troupe have asked me to come along tonight
As long as I stay in the back and don't speak to Riley, what hard can I really do 

"Ready?" Eldon said as we walked into the usual spot where B-Troupe spend their days
"What's the score now?" I asked watched as everyone merged 
"we stopped doing battles, it's just showcasing things people have been working on" Giselle said
"and I needed to be here because?" I asked

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they wanted me here but I sort of made a promise that Riley could have a James free world
"It's the last one, you had to be" Hunter said
The only people aware of the situation at hand are Eldon, West and I. I agreed with them it should stay that way

I glanced across the room to see Riley with her group of friends, her whole body language was different then the last time I saw her
"alright, does anyone else have anything they want to show?" Maggie asked but everyone shook their heads

It was evident that a lot of people in here weren't the most confident
Give it some time and I bet they'll all be beating our ass at auditions 
"In that case, girls? Shall we?" Neve asked before she joined Maggie centre floor with Riley front and centre 

As soon as the dance came to and end, everyone irrupted into a cheer or a clap
The routine was flawless, it was so soft and just I don't know
"A-Troupe, I hope you are ready for some of us to come for your spots" Alex said throwing his arm over Riley's shoulder as she joined his side

"I think this is the first year in so long that we're actually scared" Michelle said making B-Troupe laugh
"you should be!" Neve said crossing her arms causing us all to chuckle 

The auditions were in a week and I had no idea if I would be auditioning. I don't know whether Riley wants her shot or not
I guess I'll show up and go from there? 

--

As soon as I got home I headed straight to me room only to then be disturbed by Piper
"What do you wants Pipesqueak" I asked as she instantly rolled her eyes at the nickname
"I was just coming to say mum and dad just left so your baby sitting" She said and I nodded heading back to my phone

"Your dance bag sticks" she groaned pushing it off the bed, the moment she did the contents poured out 
"Thanks for that" I said pushing her out of the way to throw everything back in until I came to a letter
One similar to the one I had put in Riley's bag merely 3 weeks gap

"Out" I said to Piper pointing to the door
"God don't need to get so hormonal about it" She said slamming the door behind her
Yeah.. I'm the hormonal one

I sat back on my bed instantly opening the letter, only to come to hand something I didn't expect at all

'James, 

Since I guess snooping in each others dance bags is now a thing (you need to wash your stuff it reeks)

I couldn't stomach giving this letter to you and I had no clue which locker would be yours so I knew this would be the only shot I had

First off, like you said yourself. I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive what you did, in fact I'm still not completely over it myself
I was already struggling a lot, you took that opportunity and made my life 10 times worse 

But I'm not the same little girl I was back then
I came back from it and I know now the warning signs 

So that said and done, now I've had time to manage myself, cope with it all and really think about it
Don't give up A-Troupe, those people are your family and I'm just hoping you aren't the same guy you were back then

I may be auditioning, I'm still working on stomaching the idea but if I was to do so. Just know I'll be civil with you
But as far as anything else is concerned
Give me time, Give me space

and we'll see I guess

Riley'

My first comment would be how long has that letter been sat in my bag for
And secondly, Time and Space will be my new middle name if it means I could potentially put this all behind me 

This letter may have just been that bit of closure Riley truly needed..