Gone Forever

Chapter 18-Investigation

Riley's POV

In the morning James is finally not drunk anymore.
"James we're going to The Next Step today our flight's in one hour come on," I say.
"What?!"

"Yes, chop chop we love near a airport anyway."

We arrive at The Next Step with James, Thalia and Eldon and when everyone sees us they all come in for a hug apart from Mia. She just stands there, staring at the ground. They show us all their routines but when they're doing their group dance I see Mia in Miss Kate's office. I peer in.

Mia's POV

I search around Miss Kate's desk for a key until I finally find one. I unlock the money box and see tons of cash that will be mine. I check no one's looking and then I take the money. The Next Step won't have enough money for costumes, Regionals or anything. I jam it in my pocket when I have an idea,

Riley's POV

I see Mia walking out the office so I hide. Her hand is over her pocket where I saw her shoving all the money in it. But then she does something really strange. She leaves the draw to money open and leaves the money box open too. She puts the money in her bag with a bit poking out and leaves it unzipped. Why would should she do that? What kind of criminal shows everyone that they've done it? But then I realize what she's doing. The bag that I brought in is the exact same as hers apart from that hers has a tiny key ring on the back that you could only see if you were to look for it. It looks as if I stole the money and just accidentally put it in the wrong bag. Miss Kate will obviously believe Mia instead of me.

I watch the dances and then Miss Kate notices the money.
"What?!" she cries. Everyone runs over.
"Riley!" Mia exclaims, putting n an act,"How could you steal the money! Is that why you came here?"

"What?!"

"OK what's going on ladies?"
"Mia, that's your bag how could you not recognise it?" I say.
"Ours are the same!"

"Riley did you steal the money?" Miss Kate says.
"No."

"Mia did you steal the money."
"No! Why'd I do that it's obviously Riley!"

"Well Mia, you do make a fair point."
"What?!" I shout. I'm shocked. How could Miss Kate say that!

"Well why else would you come here Riley?"
"To see everyone that I haven't seen in ages!"
"Or to steal the money," Mia says.
"Why should you trust her?!" I say.

"Why should I trust you?" she says. Mia looks at me with a grin on her face.
"OK, I saw Mia take it, there is as much reason for you trusting me as you trusting her," I say.
"OK well we'll have a vote on what people think, did anyone see any of these two girls in my office?"
"I think I saw Mia," Thalia says. At least someone is sticking up for me.
"OK then Mia I'm afraid that you'll have to leave the studio," Miss Kate says. Mia picks up her bag and leaves.
"Everyone goes back and I sit down and James then sits next to me.

"You didn't steal the money did you?" he says seriously.
"James! Why would I do that?"
"Just asking." He then walks off.

"Wait everyone Mia took the money it's still in her bag!" James shouts. Miss Kate runs after her and comes back with her hand filled with money. She outs it back in the box, locks the box, pits it in her drawer, locks the drawer and then locks the office door.