Three Steps Back

34

James 

"So Riley managed to talk your Dad down?" Michelle asked as we all walked to meet the boys. I had to head to meet Dad shortly but best believe Michelle wanted the gossip
"Apparently so" I said making her laugh
"Trust that girl to be able to do that" Michelle said rolling her eyes
"She keeps on surprising us" I said as Michelle began to smile 

After leaving Michelle in the hands of the boys, I headed down to the hall to meet Dad as he stood watching Piper's showcase. I was already late but Piper asked that I didn't show up until the second act 

"Hey!" Dad called as I walked down the isles of the seats until I found him next to an open one
"Hey" I said taking a seat next to him
I looked up on stage to see some of Piper's friends currently invested in a trio

"I figured out why Piper didn't want you here at the beginning" He said causing me to turn to him confused
"She did a duet with Finn" He said making me roll my eyes earning a laugh from here

Piper knows well how I feel about Finn, so I guess she's smart after all

"Now what other numbers are we waiting for?" he asked, I looked at the time nodding
"Just their closing number, Riley will be in that one too" i explained
"Can I ask why?" He asked making me nod
"During third year we explored extracurriculars. I chose Music, most of our group chose Acting or Choreo but Riley chose teaching" I smiled

"so she taught some classes?" Dad asked but I shrugged, I guess you could say that?
"She had one to one sessions with Piper for her confidence and a boy she used to dance with to work on his Duet connections" I explained making Dad smile
"Sounds like you've got someone special James" Dad said making me nod as we watched as Piper and Matilda took to the stage to start the number

"I had no idea this was the kind of things you guys did here" Dad chimed making me smile
"Oh just you wait till you see us third years, we've upped our game" I said earning a smile from him

We turned back to the stage right as Riley re-joined for her Solo part of the number, it was all going well until the lights dipped and Riley jumped
Now I know Riley, she knows that jump like the back of her hands but she didn't land it 

And then when she started limping off stage, I knew the worst had happened

"Uh James?" Dad said but it was too late, as I was about to head back stage Riley was back on stage with the rest of the group
"What is she doing" I mumbled to myself. You do not dance on an injury.. She knows this 

I watched as Oscar caught her towards the end taking most of her weight but from the expression on her face, she was playing hard ball and wasn't about to admit something was wrong 

"She isn't going to go full out is she" Dad asked as I intently watched Riley prepare for the last jump, one I knew meant landing on the injury
"It's Riley, she'll push herself to an early grave" I muttered closing my hands into fists as Riley leapt into the air

--

I rushed back stage with Dad in tow but the moment I got there, I could see everyone crowding Riley while she tried to usher them away
"Will you all chill, I am fine" She said through gritted teeth
"We both know that's bullshit Ri" I said making her eyes widen at the sight of me 

I walked over letting everyone move as I got close, I took a closer look at her ankle to already see it swelling
"That's fine is it Riley?" I asked tilting me head
"I've had worse" She said once again trying to play hard ball
"Piper get your friends out of here please" I said making Piper and her group all nod while I took a kneel in front of Riley

"What happened? I know you, this isn't something that just happens Ri" I said but she shrugged
"I don't know, I didn't know the lights were turning off so when I jumped I misjudged how high I went. Then when I landed, I landed a lot earlier then I anticipated" she muttered looking down at her ankle 

"It's okay, we'll figure it out" I said kissing the back of her hand
"But for now, stay off of it please?" I asked but Riley bowed her head

"I can't James, we have practice tomorrow. Our showcase is in less then a week - This isn't time to stay off of my ankle" She argued
"Riley, if you want to even think about partaking in the showcase, you need to stay off of it. We'll go to the Nurse and see what she thinks the damage is. But if she says no dancing" I started before being cut off

"Then we'll agree but I'll dance anyway" Riley said with a bluntness in her tone
"Riley, if she says your not dancing. I will chain you to your desk to make sure you don't" i said making her roll her eyes

"James this is the last showcase" She whispered, I sighed taking a seat next to her
"I know Ri, but I would rather you live to dance another day then give it all up while you are fit enough to enjoy it" I said making Riley sigh resting her head on my shoulder

"We'll figure it out okay?" I asked kissing the top of her head
We will, we've come this far, we have to..