Change Your Mind

12

Riley

As I walked the halls the next morning, I couldn't help but have that stomach aching feeling that everything is about to change again 
And I wasn't wrong
Usually I would be greeted or joined by Alex but after last night, I don't think that's applicable for a while
For a while I'll be flying solo 

I got to my locker only to have a small envelope fall out, with the same handwriting from almost a month ago. I looked over my shoulder to see A-Troupe in there corner
As soon as I looked over I could see James looking at me offering me a small smile, a comforting one at least 
I smiled back but it soon dropped as soon as Alex walked past with Chloe 

Taking a deep breath in I closed my locker and headed to the only safe haven I have left in this place
As soon as I sat down at my table with my back against the wall, I took the letter in my hands and opened it to reveal another letter from James 

'Hey,

I just wanted to check in, I know that I'm probably the last person you'd want to confide in but I could tell something was up last night
I'm not going to push you to talk to me, I won't over step at all
But I just wanted you to know that if you did want to talk. I'm here? 

Congratulations on making it into A-Troupe though! We are so glad to have you honestly, I reckon you're a force to be reckoned with. You could easily be the sole reason we win internationals 

Now since sending Letters seems to be out thing, I upgraded to putting it into your locker
Or at least I hope it's your locker, I mean it is the one you are always opening

For future references, if you want to reply..
And don't want to delve into the gross smell that is my dance bag, my locker is 203

I hope you are alright Riley.

James'

I smiled a little, laughed a little at some of the comments before sighing putting the letter on the table 
James made a mistake with what he did to me, but I really think that he's learnt from it
I really don't think he is the same guy he was back then

I don't think West would be friends with the old James, that is for sure
Plus James has only lived up to his promise of leaving me be 
Maybe he really has changed

 --

I walked into The Next Step that evening only to come face to face with Alex
"Hey" I said making him look my up and down
"A-Troupe practice is in Studio A" He said and I sighed
"Al please don't do this" I said and he scoffed

"We were best friend Ley, best fucking friends and you didn't think it was worth mentioning what James had done to you? How the fuck are you so chill with him!" Alex yelled and I sighed attempting to walk away
"Yeah go on, run away from your problems yet again" Alex said as soon as my eyes locked onto A-Troupe standing in the door way
I closed my eyes slowly turning around
"Just fucking stop" I warned him but he raised his eye brows and shook his head

"Maybe you should have learned that word sooner. Maybe then you wouldn't have been taken to be such a mug" Alex said nodding to James 
"Alex" I said a little louder
"Ah so I'm not the only person left in the dark" He said 
"Enough man" West said stepping forward 

"You know Riley, I thought more of us. I thought we were able to tell each other anything" Alex said looking at me
"you're one to talk Alex. How long did it take you to tell me about Chloe? How long did it take you to tell me about your parents?" I asked
"That's fucking different and you know it!" He warned me 

"Is it? We all have our skeletons, you are just choosing to use mine to cause some sort of argument" I said
"Is this what your plan was the entire time? I make A-Troupe and you find a reason to cut me off? To cut me out of your life?" I asked, Alex looked at me a before stuttering attempting to find an answer

"Consider it done. You were right, we were best friends but now since it's what you so badly want. We'll go back to being nothing but fucking strangers" I said, Alex attempting to take a step forward towards me but I shook my head at him 

I took one last look at him before turning moving past A-Troupe to head into the Studio
That was the last time I was going to be made a fool..

I get it, he wanted me to tell him but I could barely stomach it myself. Back when it happened he was in a love bubble with Chloe, he didn't need to know
And I didn't need to tell anyone that didn't need to know 

If that means I have to lose a friend over it.. were they really a friend to begin with?