The Next Step: Jiley later on

Chapter 5 Old Friends

Hey guys! I am going to tell you about what everyone has been up too when they left The Next Step just so no one gets confused.

West started a Hip hop touring company and is still single. Eldon and Michelle got married and are both teachers at a dance studio and are expecting their first child. Emily and Hunter are married and have two kids and one on the way and Emily is a stay at home mom and Hunter is a detective.  Giselle married Theo last year and recently had a baby girl named Lacey. Daniel and Amanda also got married a few years ago, Daniel is the head choreographer at a dance boarding school and Amanda just works at a clothing shop in a mall. (no big deal) Chloe and her husband Luke, (yes, Luke from Lost and Found) Chloe is on Broadway with a musical so she is temperarly living in New York City, NY USA and Luke took over Lost and Found Music studios and works with Riley and James. Stephanie is a triple threat and has stared in a couple movies and is filming one right now and Thalia is traveling the world and learning about different styles of  dance.         

James' POV

After dinner we all gathered into the living room to just talk about the memories we created while dancing at The Next Step. I sat down by Riley who was holding Lacey and Giselle right next to her. Stephanie had Nathen in her arms and the girls were giggling about the time they pulled a double prank on the boys. (Season 1 episode 25)

We must of talked and laughed for an hour. Hunter and Emily said they had an announcement to make. I knew what their announcement was about because Riley told me earlier. Hunter took Emily's hand and told everyone that they were expecting their third child. We congratulated them and then Amanda said that she was expecting as well. (So it's Emily, Michelle, and Amanda that have a baby on the way) 😉

I knew Riley felt awful. You could see it in her eyes. I tried to hug her but she brushed me off and handed Lacey to Giselle and stood up, congratulated the girls and said she was going to check on the dessert.

After dessert, Eldon, Hunter, West, Daniel, Chloe's husband Luke and myself went outside to sit by the fire pit in the backyard.

"So West, How is it going with your Hip Hop tour?" Hunter asked. "Good Man." West answered back. "Eldon, Michelle and you have been busy huh?" Daniel commented. All of us laugh at his joke. "Hey, I could say the same for you." Eldon jokes.

"So, How is the detective job working out Hunter?" Eldon asked. "Pretty well, I work late but it pays well and Emily is happy that when I get a paycheck she can go to the mall and get the new shoes she has been eyeing all week." Hunter states. Everyone laughs hard. "Dude, That sounds just like Emily!" I say and we all laugh again.

"So how's it going with Riley?" Eldon asks curiously. "She's good." I answer. "When are you guys planning on having some kids these days?" Luke asks me. "Umm Riley doesn't like me to talk about that." I told them. "Ok, Well how about the studio?" Eldon asks.

"The studio is great and all but since Riley is studio head she has a lot of pressure and stress. I mean she stays at the studio till 1 in the morning most of the time and since Internationals are 3 weeks away that's even more stress for her and to be honest I hate it, I feel like she just ignores me and puts me on her I will deal with that later list. She always puts the studio first. I mean I wish I said no to taking over the studio. It is so much work being an owner of a dance studio, Especially the best one in the world. I feel like I have to compete for Riley's attention and we have been trying for a baby for over a year and she still can't get pregnant and it's her fault that she can't get pregnant because of the stress and her blood pressure. She cries everyday and its getting annoying. I mean the dancers even ask me if she is ok because she cries at the studio!" I stated.

The boys are just staring at me like they have seen a ghost. "What?! Its true!" "So, It is good to know that's how you really feel." A voice said behind me. I knew I was in deep trouble. "Riley I...." "Save it James. I heard you talking how you wish you never agreed to take over the studio and that I put you aside!" She said angry. "Riley I didn't mean it!" "Really, so you lied to your best friends?" "Umm no, I mean yes!" "Whatever James."

She went inside and I went to go after her when Hunter stoped me. "James, She needs to calm down. Let her be." "Man I screwed up big time." I said with my head in my hands.

Riley's POV

I ran up to my room and shut the door and locked it so James couldn't come in. I went over to the little bench in my room and grabbed a blanket and started sobbing.

Michelle's POV

I notice Riley heading up to her room and it wasn't like her to leave a party especially when she is the host.

I excused myself from the group who were talking about baby stuff and went to go check on my best friend. I still live in Toronto, So Riley and I meet up regularly, but this past month she has been really busy at the studio and I heard from Emily that she is stressed and comes home really late.

"Riley?" I ask. No answer. "Riley?" I try to open the door but its locked. "Riley, What's the matter?" Thankfully, I knew how to open locked doors.

I open the door and I silently praised myself for remembering how to open locked doors. Riley was sitting on a bench with her knees up to her chest and sobbing. Apparently she didn't hear the door open.

"Riley?" I said softly. She looked up at me with her red, puffy brown eyes and a pale face. "Yea?" She asks wiping her tears. "Do you need more soda or chips because their in the cupboard next to the fridge." She stated. "Um no I don't think so, but I came up here to see if you were ok." "Yea, Yea, I'm fine." "It doesn't look like your fine. Riley, I want to be here for you." I walked over to her and sat down by her on the bench.

"Michelle, I walked outside where the boys were to see if they needed anything and I heard James saying that he wished he never took over the studio and how he feels second place to me and that he blames me for not being able to get pregnant and how I cry a lot and its annoying!" She explained.
"Wow Ri, I'm sorry." I hugged her tightly. "Am I not a good enough for him?" Riley asks. "No, no don't even think that! James loves you so much and I am sure he didn't mean those things." I said trying to calm Riley down. "He did Michelle, He did." Riley says between tears.

Thank you for all of the reviews and votes! I am sorry if I have any grammar mistakes, I go over the story a couple times before posting it so if I miss something it is on accident.