"No Riley, you get your ass back to that pier and show that girl what -" Emily started to rant until there was some rustling coming from the end of the line signalling I was about to be greeted with Will's words of wisdom
"What your darling sister is trying to say Riley, is that both of James' siblings invited you. You weren't just there for James" Will explained
"Just because one person out of 4 of them didn't want you here doesn't mean you need to run" He continued
"If she has a problem with is give me her name and I'll sort it out" Emily yelled so I could hear her
"What did you put in your tea this morning Em?" Will asked making me laugh
"I'm going to go handle your sister and cut off her caffeine supply. Let us know if you need any help" Will said
"Like back up!" Emily yelled making me roll my eyes before ending the call
I hadn't even been gone from the 4 of them for 10 minutes so they couldn't have gotten too deep into the arcade
And to my surprise, I was correct
I watched as Piper and Brody headed deeper, I didn't miss the disappointed look on Piper's face which instantly broke my heart. God I hope I can make that up to her
"She's on the scene? May I remind you how this wall all a dare for you James? That sick twisted you and the boys decided to play to get back at Spencer?" Beth yelled making my brows furrow
"Does she know this was all a game to you? To all of you?" Beth asked, please no.. please don't let it be true
"Is that true" I asked and the moment I did Beth's eyes widened meeting mine as James turned around with the same expression on his face
"Ri, I-" James started but the moment he took a step towards me I took an even bigger one backwards
"Is it true James? This was all just a stab to get back at Spencer?" I asked
"Riley listen" James said making me close my eyes, if he couldn't deny it straight off the bat the the answer was simple
"So when he saw you in the corridor the other week and you told me you didn't remember him? That was another lie? Everything else that has happened between us has been nothing but a hidden motive?" I asked but James shook his head vigorously
"That's not it at all" He said panic evident in his tone
"Then tell me James, what was it? Because I'm still not hearing the fact it wasn't a dare" I said watching as his hung his head low
"That's what it started as yes but now it's more then that I swear" He said making me shake my head
"No" I said softly watching the panic in his face set in deeper as he looked at me confused
"No?" He asked
"It's not more then that now. That's the foundation whatever this is was built in. There is no mending that" I explained
"What are you saying?" He whispered trying to take a step towards me again
"I think you know what I'm saying James" I whispered not wanting to say the words myself
"Riley please don't do this" He pleaded
"I didn't do anything" I said looking him right in the eye
"You doomed us to fail from the start. Had you really thought this could have been more, you wouldn't have lied to my face. You would have been honest with me about the entire thing" I explained
"but you didn't, you continued to lie to my face. You got your friends and my friends to lie to my face too" I said with a small hitch in my breath
"God I'm so freaking stupid" I groaned pushing all of my hair out of my face
"Riley please" James pleaded, hurt clearly in his tone
"Tell me James, what was the bet?" I asked. I didn't need to know, part of me was screaming at the fact knowing would only hurt me more but another part of me knew that I needed to know
"Riley" James whispered knowing he didn't want to
"Tell me" I warned watching him take a deep breath in
"The dare was the get your to fall in love with me" He whispered making my breath hitch as I raised a brow at him
He glanced up at me cautiously waiting for my next move
"Congratulations James" I said watching his face shift to confused again..
"You won your bet fair and square" I whispered before turning on my heels walking away
--
I couldn't begin to count the amount of missed calls I'd had this evening. Some from all of the boys, some from Michelle and some from Thalia. The only two people who I sent a text to would be Michelle and Thalia. As far as I am aware they didn't know about the dare, the game
I hadn't gone back to the dorm because I knew that would be the first place James would look and knowing he's roped in the gang now means they'll all be over there
"Hey kiddo" Will said walking into the room with a hot cup of Lavender Tea. The same Lavender Tea he saves for when Emily needs to calm down
"Hey" I said wiping the few remaining tears as he took a seat next to me on the porch of his and Emily's little house
"I'm not going to ask how you are or how you're holding up because I know that's a stupid question" He muttered making me let out a small chuckled scoff
"But say the word and I'll set Emily out on him?" He offered nudging me slightly
"There isn't any point" I said taking a sip of Tea
"Thank god because I love your Riles and I'd do almost anything for you but you're sister just fell asleep and we've learnt" He started
"We don't wake a sleeping Emily" We both finished earning a smile from the pair of us
"I hate seeing you like this" Will sighed
"I hate feeling like this" I shrugged leaning my head on his shoulder
Will has always been that older brother to me that I never asked for but that I always needed. There was nothing I couldn't talk to him about, there was nothing we wouldn't do for each other
I really couldn't have thought of a better match for my sister
"You're a strong girl Riley, I've seen you prove that day in and day out. You're the only one brave enough to fight against her father's own rules and demand" He started
"You dual majored just to stop the wrong that you ex was starting at that building" He continued
"You've conquered a lot this year and I know this hurts right now, I'm not taking away from that, but this is just a blip for you" Will added
"Give it a week or two and you'll find your footing again" He softly finished
"With or without James" Will said making me look at him confused
YOU ARE READING
Eyes On The Prize
FanfictionIt's a small town full of two types of people. You have the people who grew up, who know this town inside out Then you have the College kids - They have money to burn and walk around like they own this place James has lived here his entire life, h...
