Jiley « Alphabetical Short Stories

F riday Vibes.

credit idea to Lucia aka jileyxshawarma

***

National was in two weeks. Eighteen days and they would be competing against the best studios in the country. All the dancers knew it will be hard, but at least, they had they team back. James and Riley had been ok since they got back together. They even had been rehearsing a new duet for national. Michelle had come back and was now the female soloist (again). All their routines were ready and everything seemed fine. The next two week will just be rehearsals and rehearsals.

It was friday night. Dance practice had ended an hours ago, and everyone went home. Emily was at Stephanie's with the other girls for a sleepover. The boys were probably playing some video games with pizza. However, James was standing in front of Riley. He had just parked his car in front of her house, and had walked with her to her doorway. They were trying to make their relationship worked, and for now everything seemed fine. But Riley had noticed that James wasn't his goofy self lately. But maybe it was just the stress from national.

"So, what will you do tonight ?" asked James as Riley opened the door house. He leaned against the door frame, looking at the petite girl with a smile.

"I don't know.. Em and my parents will only come home tomorrow.. I guess I'll just watch a movie..." she paused. "You know, with pop-corn..." Riley smirked innocently before giggling. She knew how much he loved watching movie, so she was hoping he could stay the night.

"You had me at movie, Riles. Let's go." He walked toward her, closing the door behind him and grabbing her arm. He pulled her into the kitchen, and sat in a chair, looking at his girlfriend. He was so happy they were back together.

The girl grabbed a bag of popcorn and put it in the microwave. She set the time on 3 minutes before going next to James. She leaned towards him, putting her head on his shoulder and breathing his nice smell. He instantly pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. They stayed silence until they heard the microwave stopped. Riley stood up and kissed his cheek gently before opening the microwave and taking the bag. The couple soon were cuddled up in the couch, with the popcorn bag on the boy's lap.

It was an action movie, so Riley get bored in only ten minutes. so she started talking.

"James ?" she whispered softly. The boy nodded so she kept talking. "Do you think we're ready for national ?" Without looking at her, James nodded again, before whispered a quick "Of course, babe." The girl stayed silent after this. For only ten minutes.

"James ?" Again, the boy nodded, only half listening to her. "I don't know if our duet will be as good as the other team's one...." she whispered, slightly nervous.

"Don't even worry about it babe.." It was the middle of the movie, where car were crashing everywhere and anywhere. unlike the girl, James seemed to enjoy it, as he didn't even listen to his girlfriend.

"James ?" Asked the girl for the third time. James acquiesced with his a mouthful of popcorn, still watching the movie. "Nevermind.." Riley answered and sighed. She pulled herself closer to her boyfriend, moving her arm around his torso, and nuzzling into his neck gently. She brought her leg on his lap, next to the now finished popcorn bag. James moved his arm to her back, pressing her against his body.

"You okay Ri ?" he whispered, finally looking at his girlfriend. He smiled lovingly, looking at the sleepy girl in his arm.

"Yeah.." whispered the girl without moving. "I guess I'm just a little stressed and nervous about national.." James moved his hand and started stroking her cheek slowly.

"We're gonna kill it Riles." the boy said, looking at the tv again. "don't even worry about it."

When the movie ended, James looked down at the girl. He still hadn't stopped stroking her cheek and neck gently, but now the girl was fast asleep. James smiled lovingly : he couldn't be happier. He had succeed to get the girl of his dream back. He didn't liked her anymore. It was stronger than just "like". He was truly in love with her, and he was finally ready to tell her. But maybe now wasn't the time -well, she was asleep so it wasn't, obviously. He slowly kissed her forehead, letting his lips lingering a few second on her skin. He kissed her a few time before he felt her move. He pulled her totally on his lap, and her arms found their way to his neck naturally. She adjusted her position, straddling the boy's lap, and resting her forehead against him. Her eyes were still close, and his were wide open, looking at her features. He knew she was awake now. He needed to tell her. It was now or never.

" I-I love you..." he said slowly, almost too slow, like he was unsure. But, oh, he wasn't. James moved his arm around her back, tightened his grip on the girl, scared she would pulled away. But she didn't move, maybe she hadn't heard it ? "I love you Riles.." The boy said, a little louder than before, fixing her close eyes. He felt her breathe on his lips, but she didn't open her eyes. Was she asleep ? Or maybe she didn't love him ? Was she being nice, by not telling him she didn't love him . James started to freaked out, and he felt his heart beating so fast in his chest. He was sure she could heard him to.

And finally -after 5 long minutes, Riley opened her eyes, looking in his. She moved her hand against his neck slowly, and placed it on his beating heart. James sighed slowly, relieved. But he grew nervous again when she didn't say it back. They stared at each other for long minutes, but she didn't talk.

"It's okay.." He slowly whispered, disappointed. "I understand.. I. I-It's not been that long and.."

"I'm not ready yet." She interrupted him.

***

James did it. He did the B-twist -a perfect B-twist. As the crowd was cheering, James took Riley's hand, and pulled her in the top of the stage. They both took a bow at the same time, and Riley finally turned to talked to her boyfriend.

"James you did it ! I knew you could do it !" A huge grin was plastered on her face, while a goofy smile was on his face. He squeezed her hand gently. They stared at each other for a few minutes. The crowd was still cheering and clapping, mostly because the winner duet will be soon announced.

"I love you." Riley suddenly said. She was smiling at the boy who seemed to had froze still. It has been one, almost two weeks since the day James said he loved her. Nothing had been weird between them, they were just as close as before, but James was also waiting for her to tell him. At the beginning, he thought she would said it on their first night of regional, but she didn't. Then, it was after the small group, when the boy win, but she didn't. He kind of put his thought aside for the duet. But here she was, in her beautiful painting costume, smiling at him. He didn't think twice about it. He grabbed her arm, pulling her against his body, and he kissed her. Right on the stage. With the whole audience watching them. He moved his hands on her cheek as the girl grabbed his waist. They kissed for a few second before pulling away. They were both speechless.

A few hours later, they were in the hotel, in front of Riley's door. They had walked, hand in hand, in the street, instead of taking the bus with A-troupe. Riley, in her A-troupe uniform, leaned against the wall, squeezing James's hand gently.

"Do you want to hang out ? Watch a movie maybe... The girl are all in the guy's room.." Riley pulled on his hand slowly, and he found himself right against her, his free hand on the wall to keep him steady.

"It's friday so I guess I'm free.." He let go of her hand and started to stroked her cheek gently. They stared at each other for a long time.

"Is it really friday ?" Riley went on her tiptoes, brushing her lips against his in a small kiss. James nodded slowly, pressing her body against his.

Soon, they were both cuddle up on Riley's bed, a movie on the tv. But the couple weren't paying attention. Riley was pressed against James body, her arms resting on his torso. His hand were on her waist, squeezing it gently. Their lips were attached in a gentle kiss.

"I love fridays..." Riley whispered against his lips, nuzzling softly.

*☽*