Three Steps Back

30

Riley

"What is this?" I laughed walking out of my dorm to see Piper stood there with a grin on her face
"I'm on Riley duty" She smiled making me look at her confused
"What on earth is Riley duty?" I asked 
"I don't really know, all I know if I'm meant to escort you to where you need to go" She smiled interlocking our arms as we began to walk through the building 

It wasn't long before we were in our first ever studio. This was one of the places we spent most of our time together on the first year. The Rooftop takes the lead though 
"Thanks Pipes" I heard James said making me turn around, there he stood next to a small table full of candles and food 
Sure enough, Piper smiled at the pair of us before slowly leaving the room

"What is all of this for?" I asked walking over to him, James smiled placing his lips against my cheek softly before pulling out a chair for me

There was something about James right now that I couldn't put my finger on. Almost as if he was hiding something or that something was bothering him

"hey talk to me, what's going on?" I asked placing my hand on top of his, he looked over at me before bowing his head
"how about we enjoy tonight and worry about that later?" He asked making me furrow my brows
"James, you're worrying me" I whispered making him sigh

"That's not the intention Ri, everything is okay. Everything is fine" He said but I shook my head

"Tell me James" I said looking up at him

He sighed looking down before intertwining our hands and looking up at him
"Before I say this, I just want you to know that this wasn't the plan okay?" He asked making me nod
I didn't know what was about to happen and I had no idea what to expect at all

"What did you do?" I asked making him chuckle
"I didn't do anything thankyou very much" He said offering me a smile

"It's about Summer" He started making me look at him a little confused
"The summer we're meant to spend together? Before moving in together?" I asked earning a subtle nod
"The band were offered a summer tour and from what I've heard it's a rarity" he mumbled making me look at him confused

"Okay, so where is the problem James?" I asked, James' head rose to look at me with a look I could only explain as confused

"That I wouldn't be able to spend summer with you?" He muttered making me chuckle, I rose to my feet walking over to him
The moment I was close enough, James pulled his chair out slightly giving me the opportunity to sit on his lap
"Were you really that worried?" I asked as he nodded

"James, we've had 2 summers apart, what's one more? When you come back you'll be living with me to the point you'll get sick of me" I said running my hands through his hair

"I could never be sick of you Ri" He smiled
"go on this tour, I'll be right here when you get back" I whispered

James looked up at me with his deep brown eyes still looking a little hesitant, almost like he was scared that I wasn't being serious

"you've done nothing but support every single time I've left, every single choice I've made. It's about time I supported you" I continued before cupping his cheek earning a sigh from his lips
"But we were meant to use this summer to buy things for the place, spend time together and so on" He explained making me smile
"I'm sure that there will be time in your busy schedule to facetime while I'm in a store. And we'll still speak through the entire summer. Just because we aren't next to each other won't change anything" I smiled 

"I love you and I don't think this tour is going to change that, no matter how far you'll be" I winked making him chuckle as he leant forward pressing his lips against mine 

"I love you more" James smiled as we pulled away
"I love you most" I answered earning an eye roll