isn't it? [taylor swift]

chapter 51

"So we have the Grammy's in mid-March," Riven started, scrolling on the tablet in front of him. "The fourteenth, if you were wondering. Then we've got a bit of a quiet April which is why I think it's a great time to release a single, if you have one planned, and then we'll go into peak May award season with the BRITs, Billboard and then iHeart Radio."

Leia blinked back.

"What?" Riven questioned with exasperation as he looked up at the girl.

"What happened to easing me back into it all?"

Riven's eyes softened momentarily before he straightened his shoulders, tapping his stylus against the tablet's edge.

"This is easing you back in," he insisted, his voice softening as he caught the apprehension in her blue eyes. "Trust me, the full schedule would have you booked every weekend until next Christmas."

Leia sank deeper into the plush armchair of in the living room, auburn waves cascading over her shoulders as she tilted her head back with a sigh. Riven dropped his smile, placing the tablet down and looking at her properly for a moment.

"Say the words, and I'll cut down on the appearances," Riven told her. "You're the one in control here, Leia. Everything is up to you, just tell me what you need."

She hadn't said much since he'd laid out the schedule, and that alone was enough to put him on edge. Normally, she would push back, groan about the workload, maybe throw a pillow at him. But tonight, she was quiet. Too quiet.

He sighed.

 "Alright, I'll bite. What's got you looking like you just solved a murder and don't know what to do with the evidence?"

Leia blinked at him, then let out a breath. "It's not the schedule."

"No shit," he muttered. "So what is it?"

Leia hesitated for half a second before deciding there was no point in pretending. "Taylor."

Riven didn't look surprised. If anything, he looked prepared for this conversation, like he'd been waiting for her to bring it up. "What about her?"

"You know we met up."

"I do," he confirmed. "And you said it went well."

"It did," she admitted. "We agreed to try to be friends again. She told me she's happy. She told me she's in love with Joe."

Riven tilted his head slightly. "And you believe her?"

Leia exhaled. "Yeah. I do."

"But?"

Leia sighed, rubbing her hands over her face before finally looking up at him. "Last night, a package showed up at my door. From her."

Riven leaned back in his chair, arms crossing. "Go on."

"She sent me a folklore cardigan," Leia said, voice softer now. "But instead of the patch saying folklore, it had my initials. L.H."

Riven's brows lifted slightly, but he didn't interrupt.

"She also sent folklore and evermore on vinyl. And there was a note." Leia hesitated before adding, "With songs listed."

Riven frowned. "Songs?"

Leia nodded, her stomach twisting slightly as she forced herself to say it aloud. "She circled the 1, august, cardigan, mirrorball, hoax, this is me trying. And then invisible string had a little half-star next to it, so I don't know what the hell that even means." She swallowed. "And on evermore, she circled gold rush, happiness, willow, ivy, tis the damn season, long story short, and right where you left me."