The Next Step {The Beginning}

Chapter 19

A/N: it's the Christmas special!

It's also Christmas Eve 🎊🎉🎁

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Years 🎉❤️🎄🎅

Also, magcon-life updated another just updated another chapter! Be sure to check that out too!

•Chapter 19•

**

Riley's POV:

So today we have to practice the routine at the studio, but that's not for a little while. I woke up and everyone is sleeping so I decide to go skating on the rink in my yard and shoot some pucks around. The other day when James asked me if I was going to go skate with the boys, I got nervous and said no because a lot of the boys from the studio are judgemental. Of course I love them, but they just think it's not right for a girl to skate or play hockey. So that's why I said no to James.

**

James's POV:

So it's 8 am right now and I booked studio time for myself to practice my solo. But, as I'm walking past Riley's house, I see riley shooting pucks and skating. And, she's actually really good. I don't know why she wouldn't of played with us guys, or why she wouldn't of told me. She doesn't seem to notice me, so I just hustle to the studio so nobody books over my time.

**

*james arrives at the studio*

Chris: hey, James!

James: yo!

Chris: Kate says you're practicing your solo.

James: yeah. I'm Eldon's under study and I don't know it that well.

Chris: why not? I thought you were practicing it for the past week?

James: I, I was. *he stammers*

Chris: James? What's going on?

James: what? Nothing. Everything's fine.

Chris: no. You're not acting like yourself.

**

James's POV:

I don't want to tell Chris I'm failing math because he was the one who always told me to put my education first. As much as dance is important to me, it needs to come first. And lately, I really haven't been putting it first. I can't concentrate. Even though I have riley, I don't think anyone will be able to help me.

**

James: just don't even worry about it.

Chris: James. I look at you like a son. I look at all of you as the kids I never had. I'm here if you want to talk.

James: what? No way.

Chris: okay. You teenage boys don't want to admit it that you are all struggling and sometimes need a little bit of help. That's why I'm here.

James: you wouldn't understand.

Chris: James. Is it about a girl?

James: *looks at Chris with a smirk* no man, I never have problems with the ladies.

Chris: *chuckles* just making sure. Is it about school?

James: um, no. Why- why would it be about school?

Chris: so it is school.

James: how did you-

Chris: you kids can't hide things very well. *he laughs*