Unknown Beginning

Part 27

Despite their increasing sexual tension and recent uptick in subtle flirting, Riley wasn't sure where James stood. Particularly with Kristin in the picture. So not being one to hold back, Riley entered their classroom with a determination to be more forward about her feelings and thus made a beeline for her desk. Rather than sit down, she remained standing and leaned against the desk as she looked James up and down. Other than a "hey" in acknowledgement, neither spoke until Riley reached out to lightly lift James' necklace from her chest. It had a silver metal pendant that was held around James neck by a thin black leather cord. Riley held the pendant gently between her thumb and index finger as her eyes flicked from the pendant to James' face.

"I like your necklace" Riley stated although her eyes seemed to say more.

James began "Thanks I-" but was cut off as their teacher began talking, signaling the class to start. Dropping the necklace quickly, Riley smoothly hopped the bar that held her chair to her desk and slid into her seat. She smirked while pulling out the supplies for class from her bag. Riley didn't need to look at James to know James was watching her every move.

—

Knowing they had away games this weekend, Riley anxiously considered what would happen if she was assigned to a room with James again. Riley ran through every possible scenario in her head as the week led up to Friday. Her overactive imagination had her convinced they would be together which meant she was sorely disappointed when Couch announced the room assignments on the bus to the game Friday. In any other instance Riley would have been thrilled when Coach V stated Riley and Kenny would room together. Kenny had squealed in delight and beamed at Riley while Riley forced a smile on her face. It had taken everything in Riley not to immediately turn around in her seat to search for James' face to see her reaction. As it turned out, Riley did eventually turn to look for James when they were about halfway through the ride only to find James two rows back across the aisle already staring at her. Blushing at being caught, Riley hurriedly faced forward again and bit her lip to stop from reacting further.

That night had been their best game yet with Riley and James playing as if connected by some invisible string. It probably helped that they were acutely aware of the other's presence both on and off the ice. They also both seemed determined to help the other succeed and avoid any hits and therefore their communication was at a peak on the ice which then translated to increased communication throughout the entire team. Coach V had specifically mentioned their improvement and teamwork in the post-game talk and each girl had allowed a small smile to cross their faces as they peaked at the other.

The whole team was riding the high of the win and it seemed no one could wind down until the coaches made the rounds to get everyone to their own rooms and to bed. Kenny and Riley hadn't gone to anyone's room and therefore were already settled in watching a movie when Coach Hawke came by. Kenny took this as a cue and got up to use the bathroom and brush her teeth while the movie was paused. Riley lay on her bed waiting for Kenny when she heard a small knock at the door. Wondering if one of the coaches returned, Riley got up to check the door. Riley felt herself reflexively take a quick step backwards when she opened the door to find James standing there.

"What...what are you doing here?" Riley asked, stunned.

James held her finger to her lips and whispered "shhh" before pointing towards the bathroom door and continuing "Tell her Coach wants to talk to you".

Confused, Riley nodded then said through the bathroom door to Kenny, "Hey Coach V wants to talk to me real quick. I'll be back in a sec". When Riley heard Kenny's muffled "Ok!", toothbrush clearly in mouth, she gestured to James to lead the way. James didn't take them far, turning into the nook towards the end of the hallways where the ice machine was, out of sight. James stood with her back on the wall looking nervous. Sensing that James wasn't going to say anything, Riley asked "What's going on? Are you ok?"

"Yeah" James said then looked down "I just... wanted to see you"

Riley fought the smile that pulled her cheeks up and moved to lean against the wall next to James, propped on foot up behind her on the wall and said softly "You could have texted me".

James still didn't look up, uncharacteristically reserved "I didn't know." then paused "I wasn't sure if you'd want me to".

Riley shifted so that her arm was barely resting along the length of James' and replied "Well now you know. You can always text me." With her free hand Riley reached up to rub the back of her neck briefly then said "I wanted to see you too".

James looked over at Riley then questioned "Yeah?" with disbelief coloring her voice.

Turning her head to meet James' gaze Riley breathed "Yeah". As if hypnotized, neither could look away as their eyes searched the face of the other. From eyes to lips and back.

When they heard footsteps headed toward them, Riley pushed off the wall w/her propped foot and said gruffly "Uh yeah so..." as a man approached them holding an ice bucket.

"Yup. Uh good talk" James replied quickly as they both moved away from the ice machine.

"I guess I should-" James started

"Yeah I'm gonna go find Kenny" Riley stated.

"Right. Yeah. Well..." James stammered awkwardly.

"Night" Riley quickly replied as she headed to her room.

"Night" James murmured as she headed in the opposite direction to find her own room.

Just after she knocked on her door for Kenny to let her in, Riley looked down the hallway towards James and found her standing a few doors down in front of her own door, not entering. Riley gave a small wave and half smile and watched James return each before Kenny let Riley in.

"What was that about?" Kenny asked as she swung the door open.

Riley shrugged "Just some extra feedback for me to work on from Coach V. I'm gonna go brush my teeth and then we should sleep".

"Sure. Sounds good" Kenny agreed, unsuspecting.

After they were both in bed with the lights off Riley rolled to her side and felt her phone vibrate. It was a text from James with just one word "night". Riley smiled and felt a rush of warmth spread from her toes to her face as she replied "night" then closed her eyes.