James's POV
Riley Hastings. She is a mystery to me. I have danced with her for years, but I've never really got to know her. Nobody has. She isolates herself from everyone else, making excuses when anyone offered her to hang out with them. Very secretive.
Maybe that's why I've had a crush on her for years.
"Thinking of Riley again?" Eldon inquires, nodding at the short brunette by the cubbies.
"Maybe." I mumble.
"Dude, just give up on her. She hasn't shown the slightest interest in you, so why are you still trying? She probaly doesn't even know you exist!" He tells me. I shrug.
"Then I'll just have to get her attention." I reply, letting my gaze fall in her direction again.
"And how do you plan on doing that?" He questions.
"Can I ask her to come down to Squeezed with us?" I ask. He shrugs in reply. I take it as a yes and make my way over to her.
Riley's POV
I put my stuff in my bag for the day. I need to get home on time so my father won't get mad. Nobody wants to see my father mad.
I glance up from my bag for a moment and see James Cavanaugh walking this way. I quickly look down again. I have always isolated myself from everyone else from the studio. It is safer for them and me.
"Hey Riley." He says casually, as if we are long time friends.
"Hi." I say quietly. Our eyes meet, and I feel like my heart skips a beat. Wow, I never noticed how cute he is.
"Want to come down to Squuezed with me and Eldon?" He asks, leaning against the cubbies. I begin to get butterflies in my stomach.
"Yeah, I'd love...Um, actually I can't." I mumble sadly.
"Why?" He asks, disappointment evident in his voice.
"Personal reasons." I say quietly, looking down.
"Okay. Next time maybe?" He offers.
"Yeah, maybe." I mumble.
"See you later." He mumbles back, walking back to Eldon.
~~~~~
I check my watch again as I speed walk home. My curfew is seven thirty sharp, no later. And I'm also not allowd to go anywhere else between dance and home, unless it is somewhere my father told me to go.
I shut the door behind me, with still five minutes to spare. I let out a sigh of relief and go to the kitchen to prepare supper.