Sitting In Traffic | Formula 1

Chapter 146- He was supposed to meet me in court.

The morning of the court trial wasn't going as expected. Riley was irritated when she saw faces of people who refused to show up and testify on her side the last time around. Maybe it was because they were more mature now they could, but Riley would've rather they didn't come at all. She wasn't notified they were showing up. Colby and Marisa. Two people Riley hadn't spoke to in years.

Riley was mumbling to Max quietly as they were walking towards the court room. Her hands were shaking nervously as she held them in front of her. Max had his hand on her back, rubbing his thumb along it slowly. Riley walked into the court room behind her lawyer, they were some of the first people there. Her steps were hesitant, recognizing the room in its entirety. Max tapped her back slightly to keep her walking, feeling the subtle glances on the both of them from Colby.

Riley and Max sat down next to her lawyer. She brushed Max's hand away from hers while she tried taking in a deep breath. He placed his hand on her knee instead, sighing quietly to himself.

"I need to go untouched right now" Riley told Max quietly, "It's just feeling like a lot right now with your hands on me" She explained to him, "I'm overwhelmed"

"Okay- I didn't realize" Max was only trying to comfort her, he assumed that's what she needed. "Sorry"

"You're fine" She shook her head, feeling Max retract his hand from her knee. "I just need to breathe right now"

"Just tell me where you need me"

There was a moment that Riley had found odd, watching Noah's Defense Attorney walk into the court room without him. Riley remembered how her trial went last time, it was engraved in the back of her head. Every detail of that day was etched into her brain forever. It bugged her when her lawyer left her side without explanation, she looked over at Max who didn't have a clue what was supposed to happen. He had never been to court before, he didn't have a previous experience to compare it too.

"I feel a little nauseous right now" Riley mumbled, looking over her shoulder to the doors.

"I left your water in the car" Max said, "You were allowed to have it in here weren't you"

"Yes, but it's fine" Riley brushed it off, she grabbed his arm when he was about to get up, "Max I'll push through- sit down"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." She let his arm go, "I'm positive- you can't just leave. Please don't leave me alone in here."

Riley and Max sat in silence as another 20 minutes passed. Riley kept glancing at the clock in the court room, watching as the minute hand continued ticking past 9:00. Noah was supposed to be there. But he wasn't.

"We're almost done here" Riley's lawyer came back around to say, "Just a few more minutes"

"Is he coming?" Max asked over Riley, he was being as quiet as possible, speaking at a volume only Riley and their lawyer could hear. "He's late"

"The judge will explain our situation in a moment"

"What?" Riley said, looking over at Max anxiously. "Are we needing to reschedule" She turned back to her lawyer, "We're only in America for a few more days"

"The case is being dismissed" She was being informed, her lawyer didn't seem too happy about it.

Riley slumped herself back in her chair, trying to ignore the stressful sigh that came from Max.