Page 59 of With You

I let out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob, because it’s true. Dancing with River, being able to share this experience with him, to fall in love with him, it’s all so magical.

“I’m in too deep, aren’t I?” I ask her quietly, already knowing the answer.

“You are, and that’s okay, too,” she says, smiling as she wipes away the stray tears on my cheeks.

Layth and Damien each grab one of River’s arms, Grayson standing behind to help with pulling him up and setting him on his good leg, the other hovering in the air.

“Let’s get you back to your room,” Damien says, clapping a hand on River’s chest and nodding to Layth.

The two start to move slowly with him, River hopping to avoid putting weight on the knee he’s just hurt. I stand and follow, thinking of nothing but being with River. I quickly brush my fingers against his hand that’s hooked over Layth’s shoulder, and River shifts his gaze just enough to give me a comforting smile.

“Always knew you’d try to kill me one day. Looks like you didn’t quite get it this time,” he jokes.

“Still have plenty of time for that,” I fire back, and he lets out a soft laugh.

The usual five-minute walk takes twenty as we move slowly, Layth and Damien slowing their pace whenever River needs a chance to catch his breath or rest his leg. Grayson carries both our bags and everyone’s jackets left discarded on the floor, and though we offer to help, he declines.

When we finally reach River’s room, we all bundle in, taking up far too much space in the already cluttered area. Damien and Layth drop River onto his bed, the two of them groaning as they stretch their bodies to their full height again, after being hunched over for the entire walk.

“Keep some ice on it, and put some pillows underneath to keep it elevated,” Layth instructs.

River holds his hand up to his forehead in mock salute, earning a laugh from Grayson and Damien, but zero reaction from Layth.

“Don’t walk on it for a few days,” he continues before turning to me. “Sorry, Amelie, he won’t be able to dance either.”

I thought I’d feel more panic at hearing those words, some overwhelming sense of dread, but instead it’s just relief. He’s not hurt as badly as I thought he might be, and that’s all that matters.

“Guess you guys will just have to wait until the showcase to see the full thing,” I tell them all, Evie, Zena, and Grayson letting out faux heavy sighs of disappointment. “It’ll be better on stage, I promise.”

“A million times better,” River chimes in, as Damien stacks pillows beneath his knee.

“We’ll leave you guys alone,” Evie says, hugging me before making way for Zena to do the same.

“Let us know if you need anything,” Grayson adds, placing our bags on River’s desk, before he leaves the room.

Zena and Layth follow after him, while Evie has to pull Damien away to stop him fussing over River.

“His pillows are really soft,” Damien mumbles, and Evie shakes her head as she pushes him ahead of her and out of the room.

She closes the door behind her, and the moment she does, I all but throw myself at River.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck as his arm curves around me.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” he tells me.

“I did, it’s my fault. I don’t think I balanced my weight properly, or maybe I was at the wrong angle, I can’t remember.”

River shifts us so I’m on the bed, half lying on top of him, before he runs his hand over the back of my head, down the nape of my neck, and to my back. Our faces are so close together, noses almost touching.

“Calmes toi, ma chérie. Je vais bien, ça va,” he says, his fingers grazing up and down, the motion settling me.

“Non, ça vas pas,” I pout, and River laughs.

“It was not your fault, Amelie. It was just an accident.” He keeps his eyes fixed on mine. “Say it.”

I shake my head, but he moves his hands to cradle my cheeks.

“Say it, Amelie. It’s the truth.”