Change Your Mind

20

James 

I saw Riley storm out and her sister come out of the office a moment later with a smug smile on her face. Clearly she's still the toxic Emily we all once knew
My feet took flight in the search for Riley but I was soon pulled back by Emily
"Careful James, she's a ticking time bomb" She said looking me up and down

I rolled my eyes shaking my arm out of her grip before heading out the door, it didn't take me long to find Riley, it's safe to say lately.. I know the girl like the back of my hand
"Hey" I said making her jump before she turned to see me stood there
"Hey" she said as I came and sat next to her on the bench
"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked but Riley shook her head and I respected that

I nodded sitting back a little as Riley placed her head on my shoulder
"she's just so infuriating you know?" Riley whispered making me chuckle
"She was our dance captain for a couple years, i get it" I said
"God, she used to complain about all of you so much" Riley chuckled
"I don't know what she's done or said to get under your skin Ri but ignore her" I said making Riley look at me
"She knows how to do it well" She said and I nodded placing my hand on top of hers

"I know but come on, you're a lot stronger then this.. then her" I said making Riley smile slightly
"How about we go in there, showcase our duet, prove to her that you aren't the same little sister she thinks you are" I said shaking our hands slightly
"What if it doesn't work? What if she continues to try and push me down?" Riley asked looking down

"You just said it yourself Ri, she can try all she wants. But you don't need to let her be successful" I said as Riley's brown eyes locked onto mine
"You've got this" I smiled at her earning her usual smile back 
"Only because your here" She whispered biting her lip slightly

"I don't think I would even be on A-Troupe if you hadn't given me a little nudge, I wouldn't have been our soloist without your help either" Riley rambled
"Hey, you had it in yourself this entire time. I just helped you realise it" I smiled and Riley smiled up at me
I watched as her eyes began to search mine until the pair of us started leaning in

We were millimetres away when a voice made us jump apart
"Miss Kate wants you guys to come and do your duet" A voice said making both Riley and I to turn to see Oscar stood there with his eyes rolling at the sight of us
"let's go babe" I said to Riley making Oscar turn red while Riley rolled her eyes at me as we walked towards the building 

--

We got into Studio A to see everyone stood around waiting, Emily was tied to Miss Kate's hip while West and Thalia finished their duets
"Glad you two could finally join us" Emily said with a snarky tone to her words
"Careful, Emily actually waited for someone" Riley said earning a small commotion from the rest of A-Troupe. It's safe to say that Emily brings out a confident side to Riley when they fight 

"Are you guys ready?" Miss Kate asked, both Riley and I looked at each other before nodding
"Then let's go" Miss Kate smiled as both Riley and I took our first position 

As soon as we finished A-Troupe began cheering before engulfing us into hugs
"That was incredible!" Miss Kate exclaimed making Riley and I smile
"You two have been working on some fancy shit behind closed doors" Eldon said high fiving me
"What else have you been working on" Noah smirked making Riley roll her eyes 

After 20 minutes of talking with Emily in the office Miss Kate returned
Seeing that Emily was helping her to decide, I really thought that Emily would have had it out for Riley to the point that she would have prevented our win but..

"And our Internationals duet is! Riley and James!" Miss Kate called making me smile pulling Riley into a hug while the rest of the Troupe join in
"We did it!" Riley gushed into my ear making me chuckle

"Yeah we did" I smiled looking at her as we pulled away, both of us with matching smiles