his little girl // jiley

Chapter VIII

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A U T H O R S
N O T E
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Okay, just realised I was an idiot in the last chapter.
I made out that James was an only child, and then suddenly piper appears... I'm a genius...
ahaha imma just say she's always been in it... yeah, okay.
That works!
Ps: gonna double update :)

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C H A P T E R
E I G H T
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Rileys POV

"AND THIS IS studio A," I say, commencing the tour. "This is where A-Troupe rehearse."

Alfie nods, looking around him. "This is a nice studio," he states, smiling and staring at me for a long time. "I like it here already."

His eyes are dark and when he looks at me it's like he's staring not only at the outside, but the inside. And that scares me.

I try not to blush. "Yeah, um," I say, "miss Kate's office is here." I avert my eyes and continue the tour to avoid the awkwardness that has suddenly become of this.

I can't get feelings for anyone, not Alfie, not anyone at all. I'd be betraying James. But... technically... we aren't together anymore.

If he's getting over me why can't I get over him?

"Um." I stutter, looking at my shoes as I sling by bag over my shoulder again. "Good luck at auditions. I have to go." I tell Alfie, and I attempt to make a quick exit. Alfie's firm, but gentle grip around my arm stops me.

"Wait!" He says. "Thanks for showing me around." He smiles an adorable crooked smile and I melt.

The same way I used to do with James.

Not that I miss that. Not at all.

I snap out of my thoughts. Suddenly I'm alarmingly close to Alfie  and I realise he's leaning in.

His lips touch mine and I dissolve into the kiss, which lasts just over 10 seconds, I counted, before he pulls away gently and I feel dizzy with a feeling of mixed happiness and guilt. Why does Alfie make me feel like this when I barely know him?

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James's POV

I hear my heart beat pumping rapidly in my ear drums as I storm back out of studio a, my hands trembling with anger. I shouldn't have come back. I shouldn't have.

If I didn't, I wouldn't have seen that, and my heart would still be somewhat intact. She can't have gotten over me that quickly?

I don't even know who that dude was.

I lean against the wall, and pull out my phone. I spend a few seconds looking at the wallpaper, which was once a picture of me and Riley, but is now a picture of Hazel.

I take a deep breathe and compose myself. I can't break. Not now. Not when I'm already struggling to live — literally. Still no job.

I look at the picture of Hazel and remind myself I need to strong, to be there for her.

She's so precious and small and vulnerable... I can't mess up her life and drag her into my mistakes. Even if she is, in fact, one of them. But; she's the best one by miles.

Speaking of Hazel, she's still in the car. I should probably go back to her — I'd told her I'd only be a second, just gonna pick up something I forgot.

But now I forget what I forgot. Dammit... I'm sure it didn't matter that much.

My chest aches a little bit, and I don't know why. I don't love Riley any more. Don't I not? No. No, I don't. I'm done with her.

Then why does it hurt this much that she's over me already?

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Rileys POV

Is it bad that I enjoyed kissing Alfie, the boy I'd just met, the boy who randomly walked up to me? Is it bad I don't regret it? I feel like that's bad, but at the same time, I'm not doing anything admittedly wrong.

And, anyway, who's to say James wouldn't be happy about this? Happy that I've moved on so that he can now do the same?

I'm pretty sure that's what he wants.

For us to be over.

Okay, yes. That is what I wanted, and still do, but it hurts that he. You know. That he wants it too.