Daylight - Taylor Swift

Chapter 20

For any of my perfect friends who may struggle with their self image, Taylor and Jo have a talk about Taylor's eating disorder in this chapter. It's not super in depth, but it is important to the story. If you're not okay to read this then that's okay, please take care of yourself and I'll see you next time. Enjoy your read, and remember that you are super awesome and I am so proud of you - Lex

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February 10th, 2017 - February 11th, 2017

Jo carried the last of Taylor's bags out to the car while the blonde slipped on her shoes and double checked the cat carriers to make sure her feline family would be safe and sound for the duration of her travels.

She was headed to Los Angeles for work, some recording to do as well as a few meetings and people to see. Her mom would be meeting her in the city, a little trip for them to catch up in person while still being productive.

"You're sure you've got everything you need?" Jo asked as she stepped back inside, rubbing her palms together since it was quite cold out that morning.

"Yeah," Taylor nodded, "Text me when you get into the apartment, even if I'm on the plane."

"I will, text me when you land," Jo engulfed the older woman in a hug, arms around Taylor's waist solidly.

"Promise," Taylor smiled weakly, not liking the idea of being apart. They had to get used to it sooner or later, with tours and press already scheduled for the next couple years.

"I love you... and say hello to your mom for me," Jo kissed Taylor before she could reply, lingering a little longer than their typical goodbyes.

"I will. I love you and I hope you have fun. I'll see you next week."

"Valentines when we get home," Jo said softly, finally letting go of the blonde and stepping back. She had to head into New York to do some photoshoots and final details for her album in April.

The two were off, a few pictures snapped of Jo on her way into the Franklin Street apartment now that renovations were through surfaced online. They were quickly taken down, but that didn't stop the speculation that Taylor was in the city, even if she was on the other end of the country.

The next day, however, is when things really went downhill. Taylor had just finished her workout and was headed out of the gym with her security when the paparazzi found her. Months out of the limelight had left her skin paper thin when it came to the flashes, the comments, tearing into her quickly and leaving a lasting sting.

She broke down as soon as she got into the back of the car, not even having the energy to call Jo and talk about it. She had time booked at the studio that afternoon, although she was worried her voice would be shot from sobbing on the way there.

"Miss Swift, are you okay?" Her security guard asked quietly when they arrived at the studio, Taylor's change of clothes in a small bag in her hand.

Taylor nodded meekly, unsure of her answer. She went into the studio and poured her heart out, recording a song that came to her quickly.

She hated it, not the song but the feeling attached to it. It was her goodbye to Jo, because she had to go this time. She couldn't subject Jo to that, every time they got into a car, hearing the paparazzi tear them down peg by peg.

Her weight, her hair, her skin, her smile, her outfit... nothing was right for them. Jo still had a chance, a chance to be in a different light in the media. Her career was just taking off, she had so much time to shape a different image and not be dragged down by Taylor's.

Every little doubt, every fleeting moment was poured into it and she let it go. She cried for a good forty some minutes. There was nothing they could do about it now, even though Taylor loved Jo— because she loved Jo, she had to let her go.