James POV:
I strut into studio A, and catch a glimpse of Riley across the room, with a girl who I don't recognise. She has long, blonde wavy hair and piercing blue eyes, and towers over Riley's size. She must be a new dancer in A Troupe, but surely she wouldn't have got in, just with a snap of the fingers...?
I walk over to them, in a friendly but hopefully not too overbearing way. I don't want Riley to think I'm trying to interfere with her, though that is most certainly what I'm doing.
"Hey Riley! Erm, who exactly is this?" I ask, trying to act casual.
"Oh, James this is Leah. Leah this is James! Leah just came from Carmichael's. She might be transferring." Riley explains to me.
Why the hell would anyone want to transfer from Carmichael's, to this shabby, run down, old studio?
"Well why are you transferring Lea?" I ask, curious to what her explanation could be, "surely that place is better, right?"
"Okay so first, it's Leah, and second, why do you even care? But if you really want to poke your nose in by business, I got moved by the dance board of America." She says. She sounds like a bloody snob to me. Also, what the hell is the dance board of America?
"Well sorry Lea," I purposely call her that to annoy the hell out of her, "but I actually came here to talk to Riley so, can we have a minute please? Alone?" I emphasise the last part, dragging Riley over, as Riley, being the sweet cute and kind girl she is tries to smile to Leah.
"So Leah I'll talk to you in a second-" Riley adds on. I can tell she really wants to be friends with this girl. And I definitely don't.
When Riley is finally away from Leah, I look straight at her. Straight at her beautiful face, into her beautiful eyes, and think about what beautiful thoughts she is having.
"Listen, I just needed to know if we're good now? You know I really am sorry and I can't stress it enough, and I do really like you, even like, maybe a like like... If you know what I mean. And I know I've been a jerk and a stupid idiot and the most disgusting person and if I were you, I probably would have already punched me in the face, but I just- I'm in love with your personality and your beauty and you. I love you Riley." I say.
I never really knew what I was planning to say to her. The words sort of just slipped out of my mouth, but everything I said was true. I am in love with Riley Raymond. And I can't help it.
"James, I-" Riley blushes and starts.
"Oh Riley, come with me I'm going to get a juice!" Leah pulls Riley over and smiles pathetically and I can tell it's fake.
"Erm, okay, talk later James?" Riley says pleadingly and I can tell she's sorry for the situation. She grabs my hand and squeezes it, before running off with Leah.
"Meet you in a sec Riley, just want to talk to someone." Leah stops and does that creepy smile again. And then I see her walking towards me.
She just stops I front of me, and hesitates to talk. I have no idea what she is planning on saying but it can't be good. Come on, I've known her less than 10 minutes, and she already annoys the crap out of me.
"Okay James, hear me out. You and Riley can't happen. She doesn't even like you okay?" She says sweetly, "but maybe if you found the right girl, you would know that you don't even like Riley either."
Leah puts her hand on my cheek and mumbles.
"Hmm, what would Riley say about our friendship if she saw this? I'm sure she wouldn't even find out, being the pathetic girl she is. She wouldn't think sweet Leah would ever chat up her boyfriend-"
"We're not together-" I snap angrily.
"All the easier for me then, isn't it?" And she slowly kisses me on the cheek, biting her lip as she stands back again.
I can't help but smile a bit, this girl is pretty beautiful. If Riley found out about this though, she would never trust me, and she's just starting to again.
"Okay what's it going to take for Riley not to know about this?"
"A kiss." She says.
I'm shocked. I didn't think this girl would stoop that low, I thought she hated me, and wanted to be close with Riley, but apparently it's the other way round.
"And you promise she won't know?"
"I am a girl of my word, James."
The way she said my name just sends a shiver down my spine. But if it saves pane and Riley, I'm going to have to kiss her.
YOU ARE READING
What If? {A jiley fanfiction}
FanfictionWhat if Riley Raymond didn't go to that solo competition, and didn't break her ankle? Maybe she wouldn't have realised that some people she trusted all her life weren't as good a friend to her as they claimed, and maybe James Tordjman wouldn't have...
