Eyes On The Prize

22 | Riley

It's been a whirlwind of a month.. I'm wearing myself thing and I know that but that isn't going to stop anytime soon
"So! How are things going?" Will asked as I sat at lunch with him and Emily. This was a ongoing tradition we seemed to have developed. Once a week we meet up to make sure I'm not going insane
But truth be told I probably was

Before I even had a chance to reply, out attention was caught by the laughter of someone we'd slowly been noticing more and more 

I looked up to see Beth stood with James by the entrance of the Café the pair laughing at something like usual. I hadn't even noticed Beth until recently but the only time I ever see her is when she's working here or when she's with James
Her and James have become rather close lately, maybe he's actually find someone now?

I mean the first time I saw Beth properly was at the pier the night Dad and I came to the agreement, Emily and i took a trip there that night only to see the pair of them cuddling on a bench 

"What's the story between you two now?" Will asked clearing his throat, I turned to him and shook my head

"No story, nothing at all" I sighed looking back at James 

Neither James or I had uttered a word to each other in almost a month, sure there have been the odd smile when I pass through my dorm room. Or the occasional greeting but we haven't spoken properly in a while. I'm beginning to not blame him for moving on 

But was there really anything to be moving on from? It was a kiss, that was it 

"Have you signed the contract yet?" Emily asked making me snap back into reality, I nodded lightly taking a sip of my water
"Everything is signed, sealed and delivered. All I've got to wait for now is business to kick off again" i explained
"Are you going to advertise?" Will asked making me furrow my brows at him

"How would I even begin to do that?" I asked 
"Well, it's loved by a lot of the kids right?" Will suggested
"Get them involved one way or another" Emily smiled making me hum to myself thinking about it a little more 

--

After class that night, I headed straight to my dorm to head to bed. Honestly I was utterly wiped out
I walked in dropped my bag to the floor, kicking off my shoes and putting my books on the counter
"Without scaring you, you should know I'm here" A voice said making me jump out of my skin

I looked into the living room to only see one person around
"What are you doing here? Alone James?" I asked walking into the living room, his gaze landed on my and travelled up and down my body before his eyes latched onto mine with a small smile playing on his lips
"I uh, Thalia and the gang were heading out for food but I had already eaten, I was just waiting for them to come back I guess. I don't know" He rambled making me roll my eyes chuckling 

"Maybe don't be a weirdo and wait in the dark. You can turn a light on James" I said flipping a switch making James nod as I walked back to my room 

"Ri?" James asked making me jump as he knocked on the door, I looked up from my book to see James stood in the doorway
"You okay?" I asked

Honestly, I didn't know how to react or even act around him but then again this is the first conversation we had had in a month, this was the first time we'd even been alone in a month 
I didn't think either of us were prepared 

"You know I am sorry for what I said to you right?" He asked, I nodded sitting up on my bed looking at him as he slowly came and sat next to me

"I know, sure it wasn't the best way for me to find out but after how I cut things off with you I don't blame you for it if I'm honest" I chuckled offering him a soft smile
"That still doesn't make up for half the crap I said to you. You didn't deserve that at all" He said 
"Clean slate?" I asked offering my hand, James looked down at it with a furrowed brow making me roll my eyes
"If you don't shake it James then it'll stay up the entire timeee" I sung making him roll his eyes before shaking my hand with a laugh 

We sat in silence for a little but for once it was not an awkward silence more of a comfortable one I guess
"So Beth hm?" I asked making James turn to look at me before a smirk travelled to his face
"is someone jealous?" he asked poking my sides
"no, why would I be. Your allowed to date who you want" I said rising to my feet attempting to walk away

"Riley" James warned making me turn back to him to see the same smirk on his face 
"Stop" I warned him continuing to walk over to my dresser 
I began to rearrange things in the hope James would take that as a hint to drop this topic, but the moment I saw him stood behind me in my mirror, I knew that wasn't the case 

James stood there with the same smirk on his face and something tells me it wasn't going to go anytime soon

"Riley" He whispered making me look up with a raised brow 
"You're allowed to be jealous" he said but I shook my head
"But I'm not so it's fine" I said offering him the fakest of smiles 

He chuckled stepping forward placing his hands with side of my waist making me jump slightly at the touch as I continued to look at him through the mirror
"I think you might be, just a little at least" He whispered into my ear maintaining eye contact, I bit my lip lightly watching as he moved slightly closer to his body was pressed against mine
"not even a little bit" I muttered making James jealous

"Alright, I'll go see Beth then shall I?" He smirked letting go of my waist attempting to leave the room. I sighed deeply shaking my head grabbing his hand pulling him back
The moment I did I couldn't help but notice his stupid smirk again

I pulled him back watching as his hands fell straight to my waist again before I crashed our lips together making James chuckled as he pulled me closer
It wasn't long before James hands had made their way to my thighs picking me up as he began to walk back over to my bed placing me down gently 

We pulled away for a second catching each other's gaze before a smile caught both our lips before they were pressed together again