Time To Reconnect

5.

Riley

Out of all the weeks that they could have come for a spontaneous visit.. Tell me why it had to be now? In the midst of auditions 
I'm not the girl that they remember, after everything that happened while I was studio head at The Next Step, I realised I had to royally grow up before I hurt even more people 

So I moved here, I got the fresh start I needed
But why now is my past creeping up

Before I could overthink it any further, the doorbell went meaning everyone had arrived, I sighed to myself leaving the final spare room. The perk to this house is that there is enough spare rooms that they can all have their own
When I moved here, I wanted to find a place that I could grow into meaning, when I eventually found someone
All my ducks were in a row 

I walked over to the front door, opening it to reveal the 4 people I used to call my best friends
Eldon has been like a brother to me ever since I joined baby ballet, Michelle and I instantly clicked the moment she walked into Auditions. West well, he's West.. He would never let you go through anything alone
And James, we all know the story there..

"Riley" Michelle smiled attempting to come in for a hug, it was one I happily accepted
Was I completely overjoyed with them being here? No 
But do I completely hate the fact they are here? Also no..

"there are 4 rooms towards the end of the house that you all can fight over" I said making them all chuckle as they started to pile inside
They all disappeared with their bags towards the rooms in mention while I walked over to my laptop that was balanced on the kitchen island 

Regardless on them being here, I still had a job to do. I had to turn a list of minis from 203 to 12 kids
Each one of them had a completely different strength, it was just finding the correct balance  

--

After what felt like an eternity, I had managed to pick the kids that we needed for the team adding them to the list that would go live in less then 10 hours
I know for a fact they will all be bothering their parents until they know 

"Sooo" Eldon said breaking the silence making me glance over to see them all sat around the living room
"you could have told me you lot were back" I said getting off my chair to go join them
"Well you looked like you were in a bubble" Michelle said making me chuckle
"Welcome to Audition week" I muttered sitting on the sofa next to James, the only available spot 

"Audition week? Why do you guys need a week?" Eldon asked making me chuckle
If only it was as straight forward as The Next Step used to be
"We have our Mini's that you all saw today" i started 

"Then we have our Preteens which would be i don't know, J-Troupe?" I offered
"Then our two teen teams, One does more of like the more convention type competitions so like travelling to small towns" I explained
"While the other does Regionals, Nationals and so on" I finished making them widen their eyes
"And you do all of that?" West blurted making me nod

 "Mini's practice every morning, the main Teen team practices every Evening from 7-10" I continued
"Then the Preteens and the other teen team alternate dates from 3:30-6:30" I said watching as they all sat their speechless

"Do you ever have a free moment in the day?" James asked and I shrugged
"it depends on how many classes I have that day" I said 

I have a lot on my plate, I know I do
But I'm the one who put it there. There for, I know what I can handle this time around

"Sounds like you've built a strong life for yourself" Michelle said bowing her head
"What's wrong?" I asked 
"Nothing" She said but that was clearly not the truth

"Is this about me not coming back for the reunion?" I asked looking at them all one by one, from the looks of their faces.. I've hit the nail on the head

"We never meant to make you think you needed to distance yourself from us Ri" James said making me shake my head
"You guys never made me think that. I did it all off my own back. When I moved away, I just wanted a fresh start, I wanted to leave all the drama behind me" I explained making them all look at me confused 

But they soon all exchanged the same look.. knowing I was right

"So where do we all stand now?" Michelle asked looking at me a little hopeful

"How about you let me get through audition week then we'll address it if you are still around. Talking to me about it right now isn't going to end well for any of us" I warned making them all nod 

"We'll still be around" James said offering me a small yet sweet smile 
Like he always used to do whenever I was stressed 

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