Just Pretending

four

James 

Walking into school this morning, there was only one person I cared about seeing. Well technically 3 but I don't want to hear about the other two with Riley nearby
"Hey" I said smoothly gliding closer to her pulling up by her locker, she chuckled rolling her eyes
"How close did you get to tripping then?" She asked
"We don't need to go into that detail now do we" I said tapping her nose
"What's up" She then asked closing her locker turning her full attention to me
"Well it's day one of our little pact" I smiled and she furrowed her brows
"Wasn't last night day one?" she asked, I pulled a thinking face before realising she was correct
"Regardless" I said seeing Beth and Alfie in the corner of my eye
"let the games begin" I smiled making her chuckle as we walked over to the gang

"I don't care what you say, it won't work" Eldon exclaimed causing a mixture of looks from everyone
"Eldon mate, why do you even care?" Alfie asked instantly making me mentally groan. Why does he have to be around
"Rilessss" Michelle said jumping and down around Riley
"Yea?" Riley replied
"Girl talkkkk" Michelle sung pulling Riley away
"Can I join girl talk?" Beth asked causing both Riley and Michelle to turn back
"Uhmmm no" Michelle and Riley both said at the same time causing most of us boys to snigger
The pair disappeared down the corridor leaving me alone with the gang and the duo nobody wants to hang out with
"So what is going on with you two?" Alfie asked making me look over at him
"Why is that any of your concern?" I asked and he rolled his eyes
"It's okay babe, you have me" Beth said clearly trying to flaunt herself
"Yeah you have her" I replied making Eldon and West snigger

"Will you pack it in" I heard Riley whine as the pair joined us again, as soon as Riley was close enough I placed my arm around her before looking at Alfie to see he could clearly see it
"But Riley" Michelle groaned, Riley raised her eyebrows at her making Michelle pout
"I feel like we are missing something" West said
"But I'm feeling like we also don't want to be involved" West finished making us chuckle
"I've got to head to the library, I'll see you all later" Riley said smiling at me before she was about to head off
"Nerd" Beth muttered causing Riley to turn around
"At least I have more then one brain cell" Riley rebutted before finally making her exit 

There have been countless times today where I've seen Beth's lingering gage on me, Riley and I or just Riley but then the same goes for Alfie. It's certain we are making a dent in their relationship and we are still in the early stage
"You coming to practice?" Eldon asked at my locker
"What?" I asked
"For the auditions. Some of us are getting a head start" Eldon said and I smiled before looking over at Beth and Alfie who were arguing about something
"Sure let me see if Riley is down though" I offered and Eldon shook his head
"Riley and michelle are already there" He replied patting my back as we walked out of the hallway 

Walking into The Next Step, it was weird being here. I used to train here all the time as a kid but now it was just something I would do for fun at a party, like a hidden party trick
"knowing the girls, they'll be in here" West chuckled as we walked into one of the smaller palced
It was clear the girls were doing a mixture of just messing around and having fun along side actually practicing something 

"Covering all basis?" West asked making both of the girl who were very out of breath turn to look at us with sweaty smiles on their faces
"Shouldn't you all be practicing" A snarky voice said coming into the studio, we all turned to see Beth stood there
"I think if anyone needs to practice it would you Beth" Riley replied with a new level of confidence I was yet to see
"Bite me Riley" she replied and Riley smirked
"that would be animal abuse" She said fixing her pony tail
Beth rolled her eyes the second Alfie waltzed in
"What's this then?" Alfie asked eyeing up Riley
"Just taming your new pet" I replied making Beth shoot me a glare
"You are going to talk like that about your ex James?" Alfie said crossing her arms
"Hey, she's an ex for a reason" I replied making my way over to Riley who had a smug smile on her face
"Moving on already Riley?" Alfie then asked making Riley take her eyes off of me to look at him
"So what if I am? you already beat me to that" She said making the pair roll their eyes before leaving
We were most certainly under their skin!
Step One Complete!!