Unknown Beginning

Part 25

Although they were still sitting next to each other in their psych class, Riley was anticipating their group meeting on Wednesdays. Kristin was always there after class on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the same was true for practice on Tuesday. Not that Riley was planning on doing anything, she just wanted a chance to talk to James alone. As luck would have it, Riley got that chance when she showed up early for the group meeting and found James already waiting for her.

Riley smiled bashfully at James as she unpacked her bag and sat next to James. "You're early," Riley stated.

"Well I remembered what you said about being late and I know how early you usually are so I figured I'd get here early with you while we wait for the other girls" James explained.

Riley's stomach fluttered at this. Knowing James wanted to be alone with her. Hearing James recall insignificant details about Riley as if they mattered. Suddenly Riley couldn't think of anything to say. She watched James pick up a pen and write in her notebook before leaving her right arm resting on the table. Heart racing, Riley leaned forward, opened her textbook and let her left arm lay parallel to James'. James started to fill Riley in on some new research she had done for their part of the project when she subtly closed the distance between their arms. Acting as if nothing had changed despite the fact she was now covered in goosebumps, Riley contributed to the conversation with her own findings. The minutes ticked by as the two girls continued talking about the project without disconnecting their arms. Working up all her courage, Riley reached her pinky out to brush lightly against James'. Never faltering in the conversation, James reciprocated by wrapping her own pinky around Riley's. Riley determinedly started at her notebook, avoiding looking at James while their fingers remained interlocked.

The harsh return to reality eventually arrived in the form of Becca and Cassidy. James and Riley pulled apart so quickly you'd have thought a lighting bolt had struck. The other girls didn't seem to notice however and the meeting began without issue. That is, until Riley reached out to rest her knee against James's inconspicuously under the table. James was more brazen yet and continued to let their arms and hands brush at any opportunity. The boldest moment didn't occur though until Riley, under the guise of reading from the notebook in front of James, rested her hand on James thigh, just above her knee. The other girls remained oblivious due to the table conveniently obstructing their view. Riley's hand remained in place for five whole minutes until the meeting came to an end and any hope of further private moments were eliminated when Becca and Cassidy insisted they all walk back to their dorms together.