Change Your Mind

14

James

"Alright guys let's get started, for this week. I want you to all work on Duets" Miss Kate said, I looked around to see everyone here but Riley
"Any idea where Riley is?" Eldon asked West who shook his head
"The duets are as followed" Miss Kate smiled
"Amanda and Giselle, Cierra and Noah, Thalia and West, Michelle and Eldon, Max and Stephanie" Miss Kate said listed everyone one off
"and finally, Riley and James" Miss Kate finished 

Before anyone could object, agree or say a single word the doors opening revealing a very rushed Riley
"Riley!" Michelle cheered making Riley wave cautiously before putting her bag down joining us 
"Alright, you have until Sunday morning to get something down pat. Then we'll be performing them and narrowing it down to the top three" Miss Kate explained 

Everyone disbursed into their partners while Riley looked around looking more and more confused as the seconds went on
"Your paired with me I'm afraid" I said making her look at me and take a sigh of relief 
"What are we doing?" she laughed and I chuckled in return
"We are working on the duets, we have until Sunday to get them down" I said and she nodded
"Let's get started then shall we?" she smiled and I nodded allowing her to take the lead as we headed to another studio to work on something 

We walked into the Music room and Riley put her water bottle on one of the benches while I mimicked the actions
"So where do we start?" Riley asked and I chuckled
"Well what sort of Duet do you want to do?" I asked and she shrugged
"I'm not really one for decisions. I just do as I'm told" She laughed
"Riley, you have a unique style.. Surely it should be you dictating things?" I asked and she shook her head

"It's always been this way, since I started dancing with em up until this very day" she explained
"Well that ends here, you are having just as much of a say if not more" I answered making her smile a little
"So I ask you this time, where do we start?" I asked making her smile but shake her head playfully

I like this side of Riley..

--

Practice came to and end but Riley and I continued to work over the usual time. It was now 8pm and A-Troupe finished at 7pm, I knew where everyone would be 
"What are you doing now?" I asked as I passed Riley her dance bag
"I mean I was going to head home" Riley said 
"Want to come hang with the rest of A-Troupe at Parkour Alley?" I offered and she sighed picking at her fingers

"I don't know, B-Troupe go there too and I don't want any problems with Alex" Riley confessed and honestly I don't blame her
"if it helps, none of the boys would let him do anything" I said and she smiling still looking at her hands
"I wouldn't want to intrude" She muttered but I chuckled

"Now I know you are just looking for excuses" I teased making Riley roll her eyes
"If you really don't want to, I won't make you Riley" I said making her give me a comforting smile
"How about we go get a juice instead? Just us? No Alex, no A-Troupe, No strings" I offered

Riley looked at me a little nervous but smiled moments later
"Sure James said said before we both turned to head out the door 
I won't lie at all, I was not expecting a Yes 

We got to the little Juice place under The Next Step and Riley went to sit in one of the booth while I got us both a drink
"So, what would Riley be up to if she wasn't hanging with us in A-Troupe?" I asked as I took a seat next to her
"She would probably be in the Studio still or at home with her Dad" Riley laughed talking about herself in third person

"Is it just you and your dad?" I asked and she sighed looking down
"Yeah, mum and dad got a divorce around the time our thing happened. Emily took mums side so I barely see either of them. It's been dad and I for a few years" She explained
"There are a few new flaws in our plans now that I'm on A-Troupe" she continued and I looked at her confused

"What sort of flaws?" I asked
"Dad usually picks me up from school and drops me off here but he struggled getting out today hence why I was late" She said 
"Riley, you're on a Troupe with 11 other people! Why didn't you just ask one of us for a ride?" I asked and she looked down
"I just joined, I can't really be asking for favours already" She said and I laughed

"My first week on A-Troupe, I didn't buy a single juice but yet I had like three every practice" I said making her laugh
"A-Troupe is a family, trust me if the gang found out about today you would be forced into Michelle's car every day" I said making Riley laugh a little more

"I don't want to be a nuisance to anyone, I don't know if you've noticed but I'm a lot more closed off then the rest of you" Riley said and I smiled
"Closed off? Neverrr" I teased making Riley nudge me 

"How about this, every day we have practice, I'll give you a ride there and back. The least I could do for everything and the fact your stuck being my Duet partner" I said and she chuckled smiling at me
"Are you sure?" She asked and I nodded confidently

"Never been more sure in my life" I smiled before taking another sip of my juice