All I Want

where are you? | 2

A Year Later
•Riley•

I look at the calendar on the wall. It's late November, a faint red love heart is marked on a date a week from now.

"It's James's birthday soon," I whisper to myself

Emily is in the office with me, sorting out some paperwork on my desk. She glances at me.

"Who's James?" She asks obliviously

"James," I repeat, knowing that she's just ignoring me.

"I don't know a James, do you know a James?" Emily shrugs and pulls the files away

"Stop it, Emily," I snap and she looks at me

I broke up with Alfie a year ago, a month after James left. I talked to Michelle and she said that reason why was because he wasn't James. I realised that she was right, I needed James. I needed him. We managed to make it to Regionals but lost to Gemini and it was all my fault.

I've tried to reconnect with James but it's like he's disappeared from everywhere. After the Bangers and Mash Ups in London, he didn't come back. Neither did Eldon or West.

"Where are they?" I ask

She shrugs, "They have a life, Riley. Why are you worried about the now? It's been a year since you and James broke up,"

"I just regret everything. Why did you make me break up with the person I truly love?" I argue

Emily looks at me, "That wasn't my choice to make. I suggested it to you because of the guilt you were feeling while James and Alfie were here. You made that decision for yourself, don't blame me for that Riley. I was trying to protect you,"

I look down at the floor. She's right.

"Where is he?" I whisper, trying to hold back a lump in my throat.

I'm nothing without him. Ever since he left, I don't feel the same. I feel so alone. After Alfie and I broke up, Alfie packed his bags and ran off to another place to avoid being sent back home to Switzerland.

The ambassador told me he was unreliable and unloyal to the team. Emily supported me with running the studio but there's nothing I look forward to in the day. I wake up with a sadness in my heart.

I wake up without James.

Emily shakes her head, "I don't know. I'll be back, let me get you some water,"

I watch as my sister leaves the office and I rest my head on the table. I've been so exhausted emotionally and physically. I wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares.

Where are you James? I need you. I need you now.

I take out my phone and ring his number, hoping he'll pick up but he never picks up. The call goes straight to voice mail.

I scroll through my contacts until I see West's name. I call it and it rings, West has always been a friend to me in the studio.

It picks up and my heart beat increases.

"Hello?" He asks through the phone

"West... hello, it's me, Riley," I whisper trying to catch my breath

"West, who are you talking to?" An angry voice shouts.

I flinch at the tone and everything stops. It sounds to familiar but different...

"Sorry, I've got to go. Call me later," West replies hurriedly and hangs up.

Then I realise who that voice belonged to. It's James.