All I Want

i want him back | 7

•Riley•

"Riley..." He whispers to what seems like it's directed at me.

"Yes, it's me. I'm here and I'm never going to leave you again," I say

I see his eyes close and his head turns back to the fire. Clenching his hands into a fist.

That's when I notice he's crying. His wet tears reflecting light from the fire. I go to comfort him but I suddenly feel Eldon's hand on my shoulder.

I look at Eldon confused but he shakes his head sadly.

"Where are you?" James sobs to himself.

•Eldon•

It's midnight and the girls went to bed a few hours ago. I can still hear them whispering to each other from the room opposite us.

"What have I done?" Riley sobs quietly, "What's wrong with him?"

Emily stays silent before replying, "James loves you, Riley, with all his heart,"

I glance over to the other bed in the room, James lies on his back. Bottles of alcohol scattered everywhere with rappers of 65% cacao.

There was once a time where I was heartbroken as well but this is severe stuff. I've never seen James like this. He's at his lowest point in life, he's given up on dance, he's given up on... living.

I thought with Riley here, I could wake up and see him smiling again. Slapping me on the back and telling me that I'm an idiot. I even miss those times when he would talk endlessly about Riley even if the subject wasn't about her. I was happy that he had found somebody who he loved with all his heart.

I have Thalia but she's still in Poland visiting her family. I miss her so much but it's nothing compared to what James has been through for the last year.

After a month of being away he would cry himself to sleep and after two months he started having nightmares. In half a year, he stopped dancing all together and started drinking to the point where Ella kicked us out from him being drunk.

I want the old James back.

I want him back.

•West•

"Riley!" I hear a voice shout. I open my eyes to find James thrashing around in his bed.

I rush to get up from my bed, Eldon is already awake and restraining him down on the bed.

"James, it's just a bad dream!" I shout

"Why did you leave me?" He cries and finally calms down, tears running down his face, "Where are you... Where are now when I need you?" He whimpers.

I hear the door squeak and I turn back exhausted to find Riley at the door, a shocked expression on her face.

"I think you should be here with him," I whisper and we step back to let her near James.

She immediately takes his head and whispers something in his ear. Soon enough, he's fast asleep. She falls asleep by his side and I look at both of them.

Maybe one day they will be the same again.

***
apologies for using so many POV's in this chapter 😅