Mutual Ground

Two| James

"And you were there when it happened?" A small voice said making me look down the corridor to see Eldon and his friend Riley walking past us 
The fact we were here alone didn't make sense, everything happened in the blink of an eye and I don't think anyone could have predicted this being the start of the year
"Chill Riles, I wasn't there. I had left before then okay? Tucked up in bed like the good little boy everyone pegs me as" Eldon said making Riley scoff
"Yeah sure, that's what people peg you as" She said with a little laugh 

"This place is a lot nicer then ours" Hunter laughed looking around the corridor
"Can you believe that we have to spend the entire year here?" Michelle sighed
"What's wrong with that?" I shrugged
"It's easy for you boys, the guys probably won't bat an eye lid but the girls here are lethal" She confessed
"My roommates alone are giving me enough reason to  want to drop out!" She exclaimed as we walked through the corridors towards the main hall which was already full of people 

It didn't take long to search the crowd and find the only two people we knew in this place
Eldon looked like he was in a deep conversation with Riley, Riley looked a lot more calm, laid back and comfortable here then she did at the party

"Welcome all!" Someone called sternly making us all take a seat at the closest vacant seats
There was such an obvious divide here. You could tell who belonged to our school and who originally came here
"Things are obviously going to be a little different this year" The headmistress, Mrs Mayor, said as looking around at everything 
"A terrible fire broke out last night at our fellow school up the road which has left all of their students without a home for the year" She explained
"It isn't ideal but it's something we can easily manage. Moving forward, all of their students will be joining us in our classes. This will lead to overcrowding of course which is why after a month of being here" She started before taking a big breath in 

"You will all reaudition to see if you'll make it. New and old students. And no exceptions" She said making an uproar instantly fall out
Everyone started to mutter to each other but one person caught my eye more then anyone 

Riley had zoned off into her own little bubble, one that even Eldon hadn't managed to break yet.
It was clearly written on her face that she was overthinking this entire situtation
It's the same face Piper pulls when she is stuck in her head
I could see it from a mile away

"All of our new students are not expecting to participate in any lesson's unless they would like to. You can be there to observe and see what this school truly has to offer" Mrs Mayor concluded before dismissing everyone

"What the hell just happened?" West asked
"We're being  thrown head first into the lion's den" Hunter muttered as we left the room

--

"How many times am I going to have to tell you to chill today?" Eldon's voice rung. The gang and I had been stood in this studio practically all day just watching as each classes switches over
"How many times am I going to have to tell you to shut up today?" Riley bit back making Eldon laugh
"Riley, if you don't make it through reauditioning then something is messed up. You already know you are the be-" Eldon started
"Do not speak that into the world Eldon or I swear to god" Riley groaned

"Welcome guys, a lot of familiar faces!" A teacher said walking into the room. From the look of how ever one was dressed, this was the class we had been waiting for 

"Right, I know we have a lot of new faces so why don't we show them what we had been working on before summer. Any volunteers?" The teachers asked and all of the class had fallen silent just like every other class had before this 
"We will!" Eldon said making Riley instantly shoot daggers at him while he laughed pulling her up with him 
They really were a duo not to be messed with 

"That was some next level shit!" West said making me chuckle, that coming from West was a compliment and a half
"What do you expect, they had time to work on it. They are all machines. Give them time and they'll learn it" Jenny, a girl from our school grabbing Riley's attention instantly

"Is there a problem?" She said stepping towards the girl, showing a level of confidence we were yet to see
"Nope. Just making an observation" Jenny said but Riley narrowed her eyes
"An incorrect one" Riley quipped earning a few murmurs from people around
"Now girls let's-" The teacher started
"Prove me wrong then. Drop something brand new, no prewarning. Just dance" Jenny challenged making Riley laugh

"Riles" Eldon said but from the smirk on Riley's face proved she was ready for the challenge 
"I'll even let you pick the music" Riley said throwing the remote to the sound system to Jenny who was looking a little defeated already. She wasn't expecting Riley to actually bite
I don't think anyone was 

As soon as Riley finished she had a smug smile on her face, one that was well deserved, the entire class irrupted, including majority of our school students. All of them completely crazy over Riley putting Jenny in her place
Jenny had always been one of the difficult ones in our school. The one who thought she was untouchable

"Now that's said and done" Riley said walking towards Jenny
"This place can teach you a lot but in order to do that, you'll need to drop the attitude, listen to what it has to offer. And learn where you stand" Riley said before retreating over to Eldon who shook his head with a proud smile on his face as she approached 

"See, that's the Riley I know and love. Emily can't hold a torch to you" Eldon chuckled throwing his arms around his friend while she rolled her eyes 
"Not everything is about Emily El" Riley answered

"Exactly Riley" He nodded earning another eyeroll while Riley took a big deep breath in 

I've seen this girl 3 times and each time is leaving me with more questions, the more I see her the more I'm being pulled in, it's intriguing to say the least