The Night They Met
TAYLOR
The warm beer makes my stomach churn so I step outside. The cool night air helps a bit, but not a lot. What I really want is a tall glass of water, but my kitchen and living room is currently overrun by what seems to be half the population of the world. I don't quite understand how so many people find out about my New Years Eve parties, but when they turn up at the door I don't have the heart to turn them away. More the merrier, or whatever. There's less people outside; a few in the pool, and a couple making out behind the bushes, but it's far less stuffy than inside. I sit down on one of the pool chairs and sip my beer. It's making me feel sick, but right now I need the alcohol.
I see a guy throw someone in the pool, and a whole group of guys erupt in laughter. The one in the pool reaches for some help up, and then pulls someone else in the water. Real mature. You'd think at 25 my parties would be a little less highschool, but I guess not. The guys get out of the water and the group separates, most of them going inside - presumably for more beer. I take another sip. I'm slowly starting to feel a little buzz, but not quite enough to be able to manage going back inside. Before I know it, one of the sopping wet men sits down on a pool chair next to me, and stares at my face as if I were a painting he was supposed to interpret. He's all long limbs and chiseled facial hair, and my heart beats quicker as I meet his eyes. Who is this guy??
"Taylor Swift, right?" He says, taking a sip of his beer without breaking eye contact.
I nod. "Do I know you?"
He shakes his head and his eyes widen just slightly. Water drips down from his hair, and he runs his fingers through it. I look away because if we maintain eye contact I think I may crumble. "I'm friends with Nico. He said you wouldn't mind if me and a couple of our bros came. Sorry."
"No, no, it's okay." I say, "more the merrier." I cringe at that last statement.
"I'm Travis, by the way." He smiles and I meet his eyes once more, which crinkle at the corner. I think of Calvin back inside. I look away.
"Nice to meet you, Travis." I don't return his smile.
It's silent for a few moments, and I debate if I should go back inside and forget about this whole interaction. Forget about this sopping wet man with crinkly eyes. But then he leans back against the pool chair and I find myself glued to the seat. He looks over at me and points up at the inky sky.
"You see that? That cluster of stars? That's Nofelia, the dolphin constellation."
I unstick my eyes from his face and look at where he is pointing. I try to make out the dolphin but I can't quite see it. I can't see any constellations to be honest, I curse myself for not wearing my contacts.
"Really?" I ask, amazed by this stranger who radiates confidence.
"Nah, I made it up." He stares at me with a painted expression and I laugh. "It does kind of look like a dolphin though, right?"
"I honestly have no idea."
I find myself laughing more. I hear something crash inside and I think of what Calvin would do if he saw me with this man. My laughter fades, and Travis continues talking.
"I hear your songs on the radio all the time! They're really good." I can feel his eyes burning into my face but I keep my gaze on the corner of the pool.
"Thanks."
"I especially love Blank Space, that one's a banger."
He keeps chatting and I wonder if this man ever runs out of things to say. I hope he doesn't. I like the sound of his voice. Makes me feel all warm. But not warm like the beer in my hands. Warm like sunshine on my eyelids.
I feel like it's my turn to offer some conversation starters so I turn to him. "So what do you do?"
"I play football."
"Really?" I ask, not at all surprised. "Like professionally?"
"Yeah. Kansas City Chiefs."
"That's cool." I say. "I don't really know anything about football." I admit.
He throws his head back and laughs like a little kid. "I don't really know anything about music."
I smile despite my best efforts not to. "I guess we're on even ground then."
"I guess so."
He's silent for a second, then adds: "Do you want another drink?" He motions towards my cup and I realize all my beer is gone. I don't feel sick anymore. I nod and we both stand up. "Oh, and do you have a towel I could borrow?"
He's got this big grin on his face and I smile. "Sure."
We go in through the back door because it's less crowded and Travis trails me all the way to the linen closet, talking about something that's making him scoff and shake his head. I don't comprehend what he is saying, I only hear what the words sound like. He's had a few drinks and his voice is all milky. He looks at me as I hand him a towel and his cheeks are rosy. His eyes twinkle. Like they're literally sparkling. Santa Claus style.
I wonder if he looks at other girls like this or if it's just me. I hope it's just me.
Calvin never looks at me like that.
I laugh along with whatever he's saying and fix my posture. Something about being near Travis makes me hyperaware. My senses double and I search my head for the last time I looked in a mirror. I hope like hell my mascara isn't smudged. Travis lays the towel on his head and aggressively rubs at his head to dry his hair. He leaves it laying on his head as we make our way downstairs. I smile.
When we go back downstairs Calvin eyes me suspiciously and I shudder. He saunters over and places his arm around me, with his hand on my ass. Travis is slightly taken aback and my heart aches a little bit. The twinkle in his eye is gone. He hands me a drink in a red plastic cup and I run my fingertip over the rim.
"It was nice to meet you, Taylor." Travis says, smiling once more and wandering off before I can reply. Calvin tightens his grip and looks at me weirdly.
"Who was that guy?"
I shrug.
"No idea."