There's a Reason We Belong

//J - 13//

I arrive late to duet rehearsals but I hear music coming from Studio A.

I quickly go into Miss Kate's office and walk from the windows. Riley is dancing by herself.

I can't help but be mesmerised by her performance. It's like I'm taken to another world whenever I see her dance.

During group rehearsals I sometimes glance over to watch her but it's not the same when she dances alone.

I recognise the song, it's "We Go", the same song she preformed on stage when I first saw her.

Every single part of me want to run up to her and tell her how amazing she truly is but I can't.

My decision is tearing me apart. As much as I try and distance myself for my heart, I can't deny it. I lean my forehead against the window. Riley has been on my mind all day.

If I be with her... What will happen to my future? Is it truly worth it to lose money, job, food, shelter for love and happiness?

I love her.

That's all I know right now.

The song ends and I walk up to her as if I just arrived, "Hey Riley, I'm sorry for being late,"

She shakes her head tiredly, "No, it's fine. I just warmed up,"

I nod and start warming up myself. I glance at her in mirror but she looks down at the floor.

I take a deep breath, "I, uh, saw your solo,"

She looks up, "You-you did?" Riley stutters nervously, "I'm sorry, I know that I'm not that good,"

I shake my head in confusion, "No, you were incredible-"

"You don't have to lie to me, James," She interrupts angrily

"Riley, I'm not lying to you!" I argue, "You are the most amazing dance I have ever seen in my entire life!"

Riley shakes her head and turns away from me.

I stand in my place, "I mean it," I whisper

"I started dancing three years ago, James. I'm not good enough yet," She replies

"You're good enough for me,"

I see Riley shake her head again, "You're wrong about that. There's a reason I moved here from my own town. I got bullied every single day for being a bad dancer, how could you say that?"

I move towards her, "They are wrong, they said those things to you because they saw your dancing. They were threatened because in their whole life of dancing, they haven't reached your level yet,"

She turns around and hugs me tightly.

I place my head on hers, "It doesn't matter how long you've danced for. If you try hard, you can exceed them and you did. Believe in that Riley. None of that matters unless you believe and try,"

I let go of her to see her face. Riley has made me realise I would rather live on the streets with someone I love then be unhappy in a mansion. I've made up my mind now, and I choose Riley.

I lean down slowly but she moves away at the last second, a sad expression on her face.

"I can't," she whispers.

***
A/N: Whoops, they nearly kissed didn't they?

Thanks for reading this chapter! I seriously love writing this book ❤️