Just Pretending

twenty

Riley

As James and I walked into the school corridor the following morning, I still haven't come down from my high of proving our chemistry 
"What are you doing this evening?" James asked as his arm laid against my waist this time
"I believe nothing, why?" I said turning to him seeing he had his signature childlike grin on his face
"Perfect, you're busy now" He said spinning me around as we joined our group of friends
"Careful guys, world war 8 is happening" Michelle warned us making me look at her confused before we glanced behind them to see Alfie and Beth in a screaming match
"They broke up last night apparently and haven't stopped yelling since"Thalia said, I looked up at James before looking over at the arguing pair again
"Can we talk" I asked and James nodded allowing us to move away from the gang

This was going to be the hardest chat we've had to have at all but it's the time we need to address this situation
"What's up" He asked as we both leaned against the walls
"Is this it then?" I asked biting my lip
"What?" He asked confused
"They broke up, does that meant we are meant to break up too?" I asked and James looked down a this hands before shuffling his feet
"I mean if we do that straight away then they'd catch on wouldn't they? I mean this could all be a ploy" James said, I was glad he said that 
More then I think I will ever care to admit 
"So we play it out?" I asked and James smiled looking at me 
"We play it out" He replied pulling me in close again making me laugh
What is this boy doing to me.. 

--

"Hey Riley! Can we talk" A voice said behind me, I was on the way to meet James but I was greeted by the unwanted face of Alfie 
"About what? I don't really think we have anything to talk about?" I said continuing to walk away
"come on Riley please" He begged and I groaned before stopping
"Look I don't really care to hear what you have to say Alfie" i said making his face drop
"What happened between us Riley? We were like this" he replied crossing his two fingers 
"What happened? Alfie are you delusional" I asked 
"You cheated, you royally fucked me over for what? For Beth?" I continued
"It was a mistake I swear" He said an I rolled my eyes
"I don't know how stupid you think I am but fucking hell Alfie. A mistake happens once, not the entire summer" I said  being completely finished with this conversation

I continued to walk through The Next Step in search for James. It wasn't until I passed Beth that I knew her and Alfie were clearly up to something.
"Hey" I said to James walking into the music room making him look over at me with a smile 
"Heyyy" He smiled wrapping his arms around me pulling me into a tight hug
"I have a sneaky suspicion you were correct you know" I said making him look at me confused
"They are planning something and whatever it is. It's not going to be good" I said looking over my shoulder to make sure they weren't listening in
"what do you mean?" James asked taking a seat on the bench allowing me to sit next to him
" I'm assuming Beth was just in here talking to you?" I asked and James nodded with slight delay
"Alfie just cornered me too. Let me guess, it was all a mistake. What happened to us?" I asked and James continued to nod with his eyes widening as I relayed my suspicion 
"The sneaky shits" James said standing up making me chuckle
"Hey don't forget. We are the ones playing the game and I'm pretty sure we could outsmart them anyway" I smirked making James laugh this time
"Only you would want to out smart them" he said and I shrugged
"You wanted Beth, I wanted them to suffer and this seems to be our only shot" I said and James rolled his eyes throwing his arm over my shoulder as we walked out of the music room