It's Just A Lie *The Next Step Fan Fiction* #Book 1

Chapter 1

It's Just a Lie, Chapter 1

Beep beep, James calls out. A few weeks ago my mom yelled at him, for blasting his horn at 7:45 every morning, but I guess this was his solution, to wake me up. "I'm coming," I shout, even though James could clearly see me pushing out the front door, trying to put my coat on and wrestle my running shoes into my bag at the same time.

At the last second, Emily tugs my arm pulling me back and gives me the 'Why are you going with him' stare. I roll my eyes and attempt to loosen her grip. She tries to yell something out to me, but the door closed to quickly so I didn't her a word she said.

By the time I got into his car, James was leaning out the frosted window of his truck, staring at an object with a confused glance. I ignored his off facial expression buckling up my seat belt, and buttoning up my aqua coat trying to catch the most heat I can. 

Finally, he snapped back to reality and shifted the gear into reverse backing out my snow covered driveway. "What was that all about?" I still have my arms in an awkward position across my chest, still trying to warm up.

"I was just looking at the paper that's all," He says, trying to see past the flying snow. "3 years..." He trails on, I tense up at his words and look forward, eyeing the car in front of us.

"I know..." I shake, wanting to completely forget the subject. "So, you excited about the auditions?" My finger, intertwines with my hair.

"Oh, um yeah! I totally gonna make it, not even worried," He coughs out, bending down to grab a box.

"When are you ever worried, about anything?" I give him a small grin, squinting my eyes. "What's in the box?" I blurt out, meaning to keep that thought in my head. "I mean..." 

"Well it was for Beth but..." 

"Just stay away, you freak"

"Yeah, keep you distance!" 

"You guys still owe me," 

"WE OWE YOU NOTHING!" 

"OH MY GOD, RILEY WHAT HELL?!" 

"I... I didn't mean too" 

"Go!"

"I..."

"RUN COME ON, SOMEONE WILL FIND HER HERE! RILEY, IF ANYONE ASKS WE WERE NEVER HERE OKAY!" 

"I just st--"

"What?" I blink a few times, coming back to the real world where I was still sitting in a car with the black box sitting on my lap. "You okay?" James asks, stopping at the at a red light.

"Fine, is it for me?" 

"Didn't you hear?" He chuckles, opening up the box. "Take it," He smiles, stepping back on the gas.

I look at this golden charm bracelet, laying perfectly in my hands. It had a heart charm in the middle with the message best friends engraved on the back. I smile at it, looking up at James. "You didn't have too..." 

"I wanted to, keep it for good luck." He says pulling into the parking lot. The car slides a bit on the ice, as he pushes on the brakes. The truck hits the curb and we both jolted back. 

"God how do you still mange to keep your license?" 

"Luck?" We both laugh, clutching our stomachs in pain. It wasn't even that funny! Welcome to the world of us.

"Well thanks again, better go before the e-girls kill me," I slam the truck door, pulling my bag over my one shoulder. We exchange glances and waves, as I pull ahead of him walking into the front door. Once, I step one foot into squeezed, Emily called me over waving her arm over to me as they were talking to Chloe about E-girls.

Chloe hung out with us a few years ago when we were in that huge group of friends, but as soon as everything fell apart we didn't speak much and my sister started running things. First you must be in A-Troupe to join, and since she was always in B-Troupe things never worked out. They're these other rules we're suppose to follow, but I just smile and nod and usually keep my mouth shut. But the top rule is too never speak of the past. Well, it's not really a rule it just puts everyone in a bad mood and it just goes down hill from there.

I walked up to the set up of couches and chairs sitting on the arm rest, propping my feet on the table. Suddenly, everything went silent and everyone just gave me a stare. "So what did I miss?" I break the awkward silence.

Everything stayed quiet, as they all were off in space but Chloe just sipped on her Orange Grape juice trying to avoid disappointment on the first day. "Well, we were introducing Chloe, but some people had other things too do, like hangout with there boyfriends," Stephanie said, clearly putting the spotlight on me. 

"Okay we're not dating, and second I know who Chloe is," I say smiling at Chloe.

"Well, it's not like we ditch each other on the first day for auditions," Tiffany sasses off at me. I roll my eyes and look at my sister.

"Yeah, and I don't want you falling for that... boy. He's nothing but trouble and he's just a distraction! Do you hear me?" Her stern voice, cracks my eardrums. 

"Understood, I just... today's been..." My voice cracks

"We've all felt it," Was her simple reply but she gives me a forgiving smile. "I'm sorry, we're sisters get in here," Emily holds out her arms, feeling my small body fall into her. 

"Thank you," I whisper, sitting back down on the arm rest.

"So Chloe we need to address some rules," They start. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. My hands tremble picking up the device. 

UNKNOWN:

Your secret's safe with me, just do as I say or someone will bleed. Kisses -M

I drop my phone on the ground, as fear crawls up my spine. I felt my heart start to pick up and my mind start to blow. I bend down reaching down with my hands still tremble eyeing everyone in the room, well most of them had phones stuck in there phones. 

"What the hell..." I mumble under my breath, gazing around once more looking at the hazy figures. I then grab my bag, sliding my phone into my back jean pocket of my black skinny's. I pointed to the girls, implying I had to change.

I trug down the short stair case, dragging my pink backpack behind, shaking off that wicked text message. I reach studio A shoving my bag into a small rusted wooden cubbie. As I bend down I hit into someone, forcing them to drop there stuff to the floor.

Stupid, I mentally hit myself in the face, looking up to a brown eyed, blonde haired girl. "Sorry, i'm a bit distracted," It's not a lie, but it's not the whole truth. Eh, she'll buy it.

"It's fine," She gives me a smile holding everything against her chest. 

"I'm--," 

"Riley," A voice calls behind me and I jump. It was James. I sigh in relief because this is starting to feel like something, and I know the ending.

"James!" I smack him in his right arm, so it will leave a mark. "You scared the living daylights out of me," I cry but he can't help but pull off a chuckle.

"Have you met Michelle?" I freeze. M... Michelle... I mouth gasps open. Three years ago I lost a friend, with the same name. She said she'd be back. She's the one who knows all my secrets. She's the one who knows about that night. She knows everything. I step back as my phone starts to beep and vibrate again. 

UNKNOWN: 

Told you i'm closer then you think -M