Time To Reconnect

4.

James 

"This is the place?" I asked looking over at the tall building. When Emily said a small studio, this is not what I had anticipated at all
"Apparently so" Eldon said checking the address one more time 

We walked into the building only to be greeted with what looked like thousands of kids all numbered rushing around 
I glanced at everyone else who looked just as lost as I did, that was until a small blonde woman came over to us sharing a strange look at us

"You look a little old to be auditioning" She said looking at her clipboard
"We're friends of Riley. Is she around?" West asked making the blonde look up
"Oh yeah, she'll be in auditions till this afternoon but if you follow the blue line to the gallery, I'll send her up there when she has a free moment" She explained with a smile
We all exchanged a look before doing as we were told

Soon the blue line took us to a set of stairs leading to a balcony before we were in some sort of hall where tons of kids were stood on the side lines
And that's when my eyes landed on Riley

"This will be the audition piece, you should all know it inside and out by now" Riley called into a mic
"But just in case, we'll show you" Josh, the guy from earlier called before Riley rolled her eyes at him throwing him her mic

"Now that's the same Riley we all know" Eldon smiled, I knew exactly what he meant and I think everyone else did two 

"this seems a lot more intense then The Next Step" Michelle as we watched Riley and some of the staff walk around the children as they danced
"Would you have the same confidence you did when you walked into our auditions?" West asked and Michelle instantly shook her head

"Alright! I think we have everything we need" Josh called as the final group finished
"Isn't that what I'm supposed to say?" Riley asked making Josh roll his eyes
"Can you two keep your flirting to a minimum, there are children here" The same blonde from earlier said 

Riley looked at her glaring before turning back to the children offering all of them smiles almost individually
"You all did amazingly, since I joined here all I've seen if you guys completely flourish! I'm pretty certain that the Mini team is going to be killer this year" Riley continued making me turn to the guys and they all had the same look on their face

"minis? There is more then one competition team here?" Michelle blurted out before we all turned back to continue to watch 
"The list with the new 12 members will be posted online tomorrow morning! Good Luck!" Riley called before she disappeared backstage with the rest of the staff 

--

I headed down off the balcony a few moments later, figured this would be the best time to attempt to look for the toilet but the further down the hallway I got, the more I got lost
"When someone told me that I had visitors. You 4 were not who I expected" A very familiar voice said making me quickly turn around 

And sure enough, there Riley stood leaning against a door frame

"Hey Ri" I said making her shake her head at me
"Don't hey Ri me, what are you lot doing here" She asked making me sigh before looking at her again

"you didn't come back for the reunion, we wanted to come and check on you" I said making her shrug this time
"There you've checked on me now can you go. I have far too much to be worrying about this week then you 4 being around" She worried, I took a step forward making her look up at me
"We aren't here to cause problems Ri, we are here to just get back in touch with you again. You'll barely know we are here" I said making her sigh with a small nod

"Where are you guys staying?" She asked 
"We hadn't thought that far ahead, I think Eldon was going to book a hotel" I said making her shake her head
"How long are you here for?" She questions but honestly, I didn't have the answer to that at this point
"That isn't decided yet. It won't be long I don't think" I said making her sigh

"I'll text you my address and you guys can crash there. No point in wasting your money on a hotel" She muttered making me smile

There's my  Riley..

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