Unknown Lover

Chapter 10

Later that evening, the two found themselves back in the studio, practicing their duet. Kate had given them permission to stay after hours and use Studio A as long as they locked up after.

"We got a couple minutes left till we have to leave, let's just work on that lift." James suggested.

  "The lift?" Riley inquired, staring wide eyes at her partner. James rolled his eyes, throwing his head back and looking up at the ceiling.

  "Yes, the lift. What else do you think I'm talking about?" He growled at her.

  "I don't know about doing it. I'm still not comfortable with it." Riley admitted.

  "Look, I have things to do! So either we do it now, or we leave!" James bellowed. Riley cringed a little, hanging her head.

  "Fine, we won't do it." James muttered, stepping towards the door.

  "You're too weak to do it anyway." He added, barely audible. That set Riley over.

  "No, wait! I'll do it, I'm fine." Riley protested.

  "No you're not. If you were fine, then you wouldn't have hesitated. We're not doing it, now let's leave."

  "No, I'll do it, I swear I'm alright with it."

  "Riley, no." James started coldly, staring her dead in the eyes.

  "Please." She whimpered.

  "If you get hurt, don't blame me." He warned her.

  They had marked the lift so far during practice. And Riley was terrified.

  James didn't have her in the air for five seconds before his grip was loose again and Riley was dropped to the ground. A loud thud was followed by a shriek of pain as the small girl laid curled up on the floor. James stood over her and shrugged.

  "I told you we shouldn't do it." He said casually before walking over to the cubbies.

  Tears sprung to Riley's eyes, and she fought hard to keep them back. Pain was evident in her arm and she didn't want to move. Finally, finding the strength to get up, she did, nursing her arm like a broken wing. She felt uneasy, like she was about to throw up.

  "Can I get a ride home with you?" Riley asked shyly.

  "You got parents to drive you home." He retorted.

  "Mom's working late and you know that dad won't come and pick me up." She replied. She slowly slung her bag over her right shoulder, being careful not to move a single bone in her left shoulder, arm or hand.

  "What about Emily?" James asked her.

"She's grounded and not allowed to use the car." She explained.

  "You owe me." He stated, shaking his head at her. He grabbed his own bag, and walked out, Riley trailing a couple feet behind him.

                              •   •   •

  The car ride back was silent. James kept his eyes on the darken road while Riley stared down at her arm, the odd wince coming from the girl.

  "You can stop playing the poor girl with the broken arm act. It's getting old." James sighed.

  "It hurts." Riley snapped.

  "Yeah well it's not broken. I never dropped you hard enough to break it." He sighed again, this time with more agitation and annoyance.

  "You don't know that." Riley replied quietly, lifting her eyes to look out the window while James parked in her drive way.

  "There we go. Home sweet home and don't ask me to drive you again." James told her. She scowled at him while she grabbed her bag and then proceeded to open the door.

  "Thanks." She mumbled half heartedly, getting out and slamming the car door.