Off the Tracks

Chapter 9- What's left of my heart

Thursday night came around again, and to say that Riley was depressed would be an understatement. She couldn't shake the fact that her relationship with Logan was falling apart. It was coming to a quick end that she kept trying to ignore. Not wanting to lose him. Not wanting to imagine life without him. She's only had to do that once, and that ended with her traveling across the world for him each and every summer.

In the car, Riley has some light music playing, trying to find a way to fill the ever growing silence. Pulling up outside of the restaurant Logan parks the car, turning the volume down slightly.

"Wait" Riley says putting her hand out slightly before he turns off the radio "let it play"

Logan retracts his hand from the volume knob, letting the bridge of 'this is me trying' finish before turning off the car, allowing the two to get out.

After Riley waits on her side of the car for Logan to join her, he places a hand gently on the small of her back. Riley starts to head towards the restaurant's entrance with him, but Logan grabs her hand lightly signaling for her to wait for a moment.

"Riley, can I ask you something?" Logan's voice carries a note of uncertainty, prompting her to take a deep breath, maintaining the pleasant facade on her face.

"Sure," she replies politely, though a subtle furrow in her brow hints at the confusion beneath the surface.

"Is there any way we can sit separately tonight?" he asks

His request introduces a note of unexpected tension. Riley's eyes convey the puzzled expression that forms on her face. The backdrop of the restaurant's entrance seems to fade as she processes Logan's unusual request.

"Yeah, I guess if that's what you want," she concedes, her gaze shifting from the entrance to meet his eyes.

"Are you sure?" Logan seeks reassurance, to which Riley responds with a silent nod, concealing any trace of inner turmoil.

"Where do I sit though?" She asks him. Riley really only knows everyone that Logan knows. So if she wasn't with him, she would be with complete strangers.

"I'm not sure, Daniel probably, you two seem close" he says quickly before checking the time on his phone.

"We should go in before we're late," Logan suggests before subtly increasing his pace. The contrast in their walking speeds is palpable; Logan strides a bit faster, unintentionally leaving Riley to navigate her thoughts at a slower pace.

Entering the restaurant, she watched as Logan took his seat next to Oscar. She scans the table in search of Daniel only to see him sat across from Alex, who happened to be placed across from Logan.

An uneasy feeling begins to build as she mentally checks off Daniel from her list, contemplating her next move. A surge of anxiety courses through her, intensifying with every passing second. She takes a cautious step forward, eyes scanning the table once more. The gentle murmur of conversation around her seems to amplify in her mind.

'Maybe Liam?' She thought to herself. No, they barely know each other. Lost in her thoughts, Riley bumps into something, or rather, someone. A momentary panic sets in before she turns to face the person she collided with.

Charles Leclerc

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there," she apologizes, a hint of embarrassment coloring her voice.

"No, you are fine, don't worry," Charles reassures her, a friendly smile on his face that eases her nerves.

"I'm sorry again," she apologizes once more, the awkwardness lingering as she notices someone who must be his brother walking towards them both.