Sitting In Traffic

Chapter 26- Prophecies Unfolding

Riley was sitting in her room with Daniel after Max had dropped her off a few hours ago. They were both on her bed looking at the open computer that was playing the first track of Taylor Swift's newest album, The Tortured Poets Department. Riley was paying attention to every lyric, feeling every word that was being spoken. It was like Taylor Swift was watching Riley's life through cameras and wrote about it.

'And I love you, It's ruining my life' Rang throughout the computers speakers.

"It's so fucking good" Riley said quietly, not wanting to talk over the music.

"It's alright" Daniel nodded.

There was a knock placed on their door after the song ended and the next one started, track 2; The Tortured Poets Department. Daniel got up to get the door quickly so Riley could continue listening to the music. He opened the door to see Lando, who looked like he didn't want to be there at all and Max who was standing behind him with a bag full of red bulls and few different chips. Max looked at Daniel with a smile and stepped into the room.

"What are you doing here?" Daniel questioned Max, unsure why he hadn't gotten the hint yet.

"Taylor Swift's new album came out" He said, "Riley asked me to come over before I dropped her off"

"Max be quiet" Riley said when he was walking into the room, listening to the bridge of the song.

'At dinner, you take my ring off my middle finger and put it on the one, people put wedding rings on'

Riley thought about all of the paper rings that Arthur had made for her, always putting them on her ring finger. And she knew he didn't have any intentions on marrying her. When you know you know, and Riley knew it wasn't going to happen.

The only person she could see herself with in that aspect was moving to sit beside her currently. Max sat down on the bed behind Riley, leaving a comfortable space between them. Everyone else gathered around them on the bed. Lando started falling asleep, and Daniel was wide awake, just as invested as Riley was with the lyrics.

"Rye," Max said, passing her a Red Bull so she didn't get tired.

"Thank you" She said, popping it open and holding it in her hands. "Wait," She paused, looking down at the flavor then to Max. He sighed, holding his hand out for the drink and passing her a different flavor. "I almost thought you forgot"

"You tried to get me to buy you a life supply of the coconut berry ones" Max laughed, "It's an odd request, hard to forget it"

"I think it was completely normal thanks" Riley said, listening to the end of track 3, My Boy Only breaks his favorite toys.

"This one's not bad" Lando mumbled half awake, but for the most part he was knocked out, Lando wasn't going to remember saying that in the morning.

"So Long London is going to break me" Riley said quietly, listening to Down Bad with a small head bop. "London Boy was my favorite on Lover"

"Are they like paired songs?" Max asked, sitting up a little, feeling Daniel's eyes on him when he got closer to Riley.

"So Long London is definitely going to be about Joe," Riley told him, "So yes" She said, looking over her shoulder, just to meet his eyes instantly. She smiled, partially wanting to lean in, but Arthur crept into her mind.

"Down Bad was a fucking bop" Daniel said, breaking the eye contact they were sharing when he spoke, "I need that on my pre-race playlist"

"You need the whole album" Riley said, listening to the song close out. So Long London started and it was just as Riley expected, her heart broke. "It sounds like wedding bells" She gasped.