Eyes On The Prize

13 | James

"I cannot believe you are making us all do this" Eldon groaned pulling at the sleeves of his suit while both Michelle and I rolled our eyes
"You make it sound like we wouldn't have ended up here anyway" Michelle said owning a very accurate point
"Plus James needs to keep tabs on his game" Hunter said making Michelle glance at me confused
"What?" She said making me realise how badly that Hunter had just dropped us all in it

Michelle had been left in the dark for a multitude of reasons, one of which being that she had become rather close with Thalia and I don't dare think about the aftermath when the big secret gets out
The look on Michelle's face made it obvious she knew that whatever this was, it wasn't good news 
But I don't think I'm going to get off that lightly 

"Look who decided to show!" Thalia said exchanging a hug with Michelle, both girl were wearing floor length gowns, Michelle evidently got that from Thalia's closet because I've seen that girls wardrobe and that is not it

"you boys look very handsome" Thalia smiled looking at all of us in some make shift suits we found in the tailors 

I looked through the crowd and I think anyone would be able to tell who I was looking for, but I was surprised when I couldn't find her at all
"Don't worry, she's here" Thalia whispered so only I could hear her 
Sure enough, the moment she said that I could hear Riley's laugh from across the room before my eyes landed on her 

She was wearing the same dress we had picked out a few days ago, her hair was curled and completely down while she made her way through the crowd smiling to people as she past 

It wasn't long before she was reunited with Spencer and they were both in ear shot so we could all hear exactly what they were talking about 
Spencer had his arm tightly around her waist almost like he was scared she would run off

"Riley" Another male's voice said grabbing my attention, I glanced over to see a brunette walking over to them. He took a hold of Riley's hand before she rolled her eyes at him
"Will" Riley said with a sincere smile on her face before the brunette turned to Spencer
"Spencer" he said with a dry tone
"William" Spencer nodded
"Do you mind if I steal your girl for a little" Will said making Riley look at Spencer who looked a little displeased

"Only if Riley is okay with me heading out now?" Spencer rebutted making Riley nod without a second doubt
"Go and enjoy your night" She said leaning in to kiss his cheek

"clearly your plan isn't working" Hunter whispered to me making me glare back at him
This whole situation has been a lot more delicate then we thought. It was never as simple as just making her fall in love with me
Riley needs more then another guy falling at her feet 

"Okay you can cut the act now" Will laughed making Riley smile as she took a sigh of relief letting her shoulders drop only making the pair laugh more 

"I don't get why you still do this sort of thing" Will nudged her
"You make it sound like I have a choice" She asked 
"Everyone has a choice Riley, even if it might not seem like it" Will said 
"I think you're forgetting who my Dad is and oh who I'm dating? Then tell me I can make my own choices" Riley laughed

"I still don't understand why your dating him Riley" he continued
"It's a business deal Will, it's always a business deal" She sighed tucking some hair behind her ear
"I don't buy that Riley. You've always been strong willed, you've always made your opinion known so why do you let him treat you like a doormat?" Will asked

"It's not that simple, he's not completely bad Will. It's just a pick your battle sort of thing" Riley said earing an eyeroll from William

"In that case, I pick this battle Riley. Fight it" He said making Riley sigh 

--

The evening continued and everyone who you would assume was 'boring' had left. Spencer being the first. 
Riley and Will were around here somewhere and the rest of us hadn't moved from our spot
"Oh come on Riley. What's the worst that could happen, I remember the days Emily and I used to do this" Will teased pulling Riley out to the floor where pairs of people were grouping for a dance

"Michelle your up" I said grabbing her hand dragging her to the dance too
"Fucking hell James, may I remind you not all of us could wear converse here" She said stabilising herself before the dance started

"Cinderella" I whispered making Riley's eyes widen as she fell into my arms
"James" She smiled
"You did get to go to the ball" I winked as we continued to dance 

We got to the end and Riley began to look around almost as if she was checking to see if anyone was watching, I can promise you now. They certainly were
"come with me" She said taking a hold of my hand guiding me out of the main hall

We ended up outside in a small courtyard area that I didn't even know existed. She smiled up at me again with the same smile she had for the last 5 minutes
"Cat got your tongue?" I asked making her roll her eyes
"What are you doing here?" Riley asked
"Complaining?" I chuckled

"No not at all, I just, I wasn't expecting you to be here. Didn't think it would be your scene" She said and Riley was right. This is far from my scene but the gang and I had made it tradition to crash this night long before Riley was on the scene

"Thalia invited all of us. I reckon it was more for Eldon then anyone else but hey, I'm not complaining" I smiled
I don't know when it happened or how but my hands were still firmly on Riley's waist while hers were placed gently on my chest
There was barely any space between us and I wouldn't mind if it stayed that way

"I don't mean to interrupt" A voice said making Riley and I turn to see Thalia stood in the doorway with the gang
"Someone is looking for you" She said looking directly at Riley

"A real life Cinderella? What are the chances" I smirked at Riley while she rolled her eyes leaving with Thalia and Michelle 

"Guess you are working faster then we thought" West sighed
"Yeah James, she is smitten with you. I give it a week or two and this will all be game over" Hunter smirked making me sigh

What if I didn't want it to be game over?