A/N: Sorry this took so long guys, and I'm sorry it's short! I'm still figuring out how I want it written! I was on vacation and then my computer crashed on me! Hopefully you like it! Leave some reviews and let me know what you think! :)
James' POV
The entire car ride has been in utter silence. Riley turned off the radio on the way there, and she hasn't said a word. I really don't know what's wrong with her. Was it something I did? I thought bringing her out would kind of calm her down and reassure her that I'll always be here for her, but she seems so cold. I park my little red car, unlock the doors and get she doesn't get what I'm trying to wordlessly say?
"You coming?" I ask, breaking Riley out of her little daze.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry." She seems flustered, it's not like her.
We start walking toward the fast food joint. I reach my arm out and rest it across her waist, but she just flinched away, like I'd slapped her. Every other girl had liked it. I really don't know what's up with Riley. As much as I've wanted to be alone with her since that day on the bus, I wish West was here; he's always been really good at lightening the mood.
I hold the door open for her, and she pauses for a moment before going though as she mumbles 'Thank you.'
I look her up and down as she enters through the door. Same blue shorts with her 'Riley Roll-Up', same tank top I've seen her dance in so many times. Same straight brown hair, flowing softly onto her back. She's beautiful.
"James.." Riley says. Looking back at me, I had gotten lost in a train of though.
"Oh, yeah, sorry," I tried to play it off, I don't think it worked. I had just been standing there, still holding the door, and still staring at Riley. I followed after her, and we walked up to the register.
"Can I have a double cheese burger for me, a salad and a large fries please?"
"How'd you know I liked salads?" She asks.
"Don't worry about it." I say, that same playful smile on my lips, as I repeat Riley's same answer to half my questions back at her.
"Your total will be $9.82!" The girl behind the register says, a little too cheerfully. I go to grab my wallet out of my pocket, and I notice Riley is doing the same.
"I got it, Riles." I tell her, and she gives me that look. Riley doesn't seem to like when I tell her what to do, but she goes a long with it, sliding the wallet back into the pocket on her light blue shorts. I hand the women the cash, and grab our tray of food.
Riley's POV
James leads me over to an empty corner of the fast food joint. He sits down, and motions for me to sit across from him, so I do.
He dumps the fries onto the tray, passes me my salad, and takes his burger. We eat in silence. I want to talk to James so badly, I really do, but the fact that he's leaving is tearing me up inside and I know if I start talking I'll start crying.
"Like your salad?" James asks, obviously trying to make small talk.
"Yeah, it's good.." I say. I want to be here with him more than anything, but I just feel like I can't do it right now. I continue to eat my salad and fries, James staring at me all the while. I glace up every once in a while, taking in his features. His brown eyes dark, and his eyebrows furrowed. His short hair was messy. I glace back down at my food, and then back up. It hits me that he can tell there's something wrong. So what's the point in holding it in?
"I don't want you to leave." I say as I nibble on a fry.
"Riles, is that what's bugging you?" His eyes make him look so innocent. Like that one sentence he said to me wasn't tearing me apart. He does look really worried though.
"I just, I can't do it James! You're the one person I'm closest with in the studio," I feel the tears starting to well up. This is not what I wanted to happen, but it's like once I start talking I can't stop. "The E-Girls all hate me because I went against Emily, Michelle and Chloe seem closer with each other than me, and all the guys are friends with each other. I just feel so alone and I can't do this. I need you in the studio, James. I need you. If you leave then-"
"Let's go." James cut me off. His face is drained of color, and he looks worried as anything. He picks up the tray and escorts me back out the door we came in, people looking at me all the way out. I realized I must have been getting hysterical or something. Everyone looks worried.
He walks me to the car, and the second we get to the passenger side door, he hugs me. Just hugs me.
"I'm so sorry, Riles." is all he says. I can't help myself, I hug back, and just start crying into his chest. I love his hugs, and I love the way my body fits against his - perfectly. He rubs my back, and plays with the ends of my hair.
"Do you want to go home, or do you want to drive around for a bit?" He's rubbing small circles on my lowers back now, and he's calming me down better than anyone ever has before.
"Drive around." I say, it comes out as a muffled whisper against his chest. I hear him chuckle.
"Shall we go then?" My arms tighten around his waist at the thought of letting go, but I do anyway; as much as I don't want too. He opens my door for me, and I climb in, as he jogs around to the drivers side, opens the door, and starts the engine.