1989
TRAVIS
Training is slow. I'm not playing the best. I drop a few balls and Coach isn't too happy with me. I can't seem to focus. My body's on this field but my head's back in Taylor's bushes, hearing that crash. I replay it in my mind until I've over analyzed it and can't remember it anymore.
When training is over, I trail behind the group as we walk to the locker rooms. Pat notices me and slows down until we are side by side.
"You good, Trav?"
I nod, "yeah."
"You seem a bit distracted."
I debate whether I should tell him. I need someone to talk to about this.
"Yeah, I don't know. At the party last night, after you shoved me in the water," Pat scoffs at this, "Taylor lent me a towel and so this morning I drove by to return it. I heard some stuff inside, like Calvin was yelling at her."
Pat is silent for a few moments, then looks up at me and says "couples fight all the time. Nothing to be worried about or anything. Just an argument."
I nod and we keep walking. Then I spit out "it wasn't an argument though, I don't think. Taylor wasn't shouting. Only Calvin."
Patrick's eyebrows furrow.
"And then I heard a crash."
"Did you check on her?" He asks, suddenly serious.
"Yeah, she was fine."
Patrick thinks things over and then says to me, "well then it was probably nothing. They knocked something over."
"Yeah." I'm not convinced but I don't say anything else. I don't tell him about the red mark on her face that looked suspiciously like a hand print. I don't tell him about her swollen eyes or the way she scanned the driveway when I opened the door. I feel like it would be an invasion if I told him that. Like I was breaking Taylor's trust or something. I don't know.
Patrick tells me not to worry about it and pats me on the back. I nod and follow him to the locker room. It's all hot and stuffy in there, and it reminds me of Taylor's party last night.
When I'm back in my car and heading home, I get a text from Nico.
Nico: Hey man, a big group of us is going to my holiday house next week for a few nights. Do you think you could make it? For New Years and all that. Lots of people from last night are coming, it's not all couples, I promise. Shanelle will be there ;)
I pull into my driveway but stay in the car. Nico has been trying to set me up with his girlfriends best friend for a few months now. She's nice and all, but I'm not sure I like her in that way. I don't really feel drawn to her the way I feel drawn to-- other people.
I wonder if Taylor will be there. Calvin's pretty good friends with Nico.
Me: Yeah, I'll be there. Sounds great. Send me the address and the dates.
He replies almost instantly, and I screenshot the message. I get out of the car and make it to the front door before I get another text. This time it's from Taylor.
Taylor Swift: Thanks for helping me clean up
I smile.
Me: No worries, anytime.
I can see that she's read the message but she doesn't reply. I wonder what she's doing right now. I look at the clock, 4pm. Probably making dinner plans with Calvin. Maybe she's writing a song.
I'm overwhelmed with this sudden urge to know her better. I want to be a part of her life. I feel like she's special. She has this force about her, like a magnet. I decide to listen to some of her music. I open iTunes and select her newest album, 1989. I've heard a few of the songs on the radio but never the full thing. The opening cords to a song called Welcome To New York play and I close my eyes as the sound of her voice fills my ears.
I listen to the whole album twice before taking my shirt off and getting in bed.
Boy, that girl can sing.