Daylight - TS (ON HOLD)

-8-

July 4th, 2018

"What's this about?" Lucia asked cautiously, her hands stuffed into her pockets.

Joe looked at her with a confused expression. "It's nothing bad, don't worry. I just wanted to thank you for being so good to Taylor. She's hasn't made a new friend in ages and you've made her really happy. It's like you breathed life back into her. She's had a really hard time this past year and I feel like there's nothing I can do about it."

Lucia took a second to digest what Joe was telling her. She was fully convinced that Joe was going to tell her to back the fuck off and stop being Taylor's friend.

"Oh. Thank you, Joe. I really appreciate it. Being there for Taylor is easy." Lucia forced a tight lipped smile.

"Someone has to be there for her even if it's not me." Joe sighed.

"What do you mean by that?" Lucia's heart began to throb faster.

"I think this relationship might be on its last leg. It's been hard with the tour and I feel like I can't keep up with her anymore. She doesn't want to settle down, and I do." Joe explained, pushing his hair out of his face.

"She's trying really hard, Joe." Lucid felt like she was intruding into a personal matter, looking away to make eye contact with Taylor who stood across the lawn.

"We shouldn't have to work this hard. Don't say anything, will you?" Joe nodded a goodbye to Lucia before strutting back over to Taylor.

Lucia stood dumbfounded as her brain stewed what Joe had told her over and over again. How could anyone want to break up with Taylor Swift?

Mila strolled over to Lucia with a glass of wine. "What's wrong?" She asked as she passed the white wine to Lucia.

"Joe just dropped a bomb on me," Lucia took a large gulp of her drink. "He's planning on breaking up with Taylor."

"Bloody hell," Mila gaped, reaching her hand out to touch Lucia's arm. "Are you okay?"

"I need some more alcohol," Lucia mumbled as she chugged the rest of the glass of wine.

The girls walked over to the drink table, refilling Lucia's glass and trying to listen to Taylor and Joe's conversation like the sneaky bitches they were.

"I'd like if you could come to a few shows after the break," Taylor said, reaching out to stroke Joe's shoulder.

"We can discuss this later." Joe cleared his throat as he made eye contact with Lucia.

Lucia turned away to see a red faced Mila sipping her wine like an aunt who just heard some crazy ass gossip.

"Hey everyone!" The girls turned as the heard Taylor over the audio system as the music faded away. "Thank you all for coming, I am so happy to be able to celebrate America's birthday with you all!" Cheers rang out as the tipsy partygoers listened to Taylor's speech.

"I am thrilled to see all of your faces and hope you have a wonderful time tonight! Dinner will be served around seven fifteen and desert will be served after eight. Big thank you's to Lucia and Mila for getting here early and helping set up, and to Joe for being my partner!"

Joe awkwardly raised his hands as the crowd cheered for him.

Lucia felt her fists clench as she saw the way Taylor looked at him even though he had given up on them.

Lucia felt like her body was on fire. She pushed through the crowd until she got to the edge, stepping away from the large deck and into the dunes.

Lucia sat down, hugging her legs to her chest, hot tears burning her waterline.

She'd never had feelings this strong for someone before. They felt like they were eating up her soul, piece by piece as she watched Taylor in love with another.

Footsteps creeped towards her as she heard the music return to full volume. "Lucy?"

Lucia turned to face the voice. Taylor had slid down the dunes in her heels to reach the brunette's shaking body.

"Oh, hi," Lucia wiped her eyes quickly, forcing a watery smile.

"Lucy... what's wrong?" Taylor asked, cupping Lucia's cheek gently.

Lucia pulled away sharply from the contact. "Nothing."

"Don't lie to me, Lucia." Taylor pulled her hand back, her voice hardening slightly.

"I'm not."

"Lucy."

"Fuck, Taylor. You are so incredibly thick sometimes." Lucia stood up, her hands lacing themselves in her hair.

"That's rude." Taylor scoffed.

"Taylor. Joe is done. He- he told me he's breaking up with you." Lucia decided to pick the easier of the truths- she would confess her feelings later.

The blood drained from Taylor's cheeks. "That asshole told you before he told me?"

Lucia nodded sheepishly. "Don't worry about it. I'll deal with him before her can throw me away,"

Taylor stomped up the dunes toward the raging party where her disinterested soon-to-be ex lover was drinking.

Lucia followed a few feet behind, Mila floating over to see what was happening.

"We need to talk." Taylor spat.

Joe put his drink down. "What do you mean, love?" He looked pointedly at Lucia.

"You want to break up?"

"What?" Joe pulled back.

"Lucy told me what you said. Well, I'll save you the trouble. We're done. Get off my property." She shoved him toward the gate.

"Taylor, just wait-" Joe reached toward the blonde.

"Leave. Take your shit with you." She stormed inside, the crowd watching as she moved.

Joe looked flabbergasted as his eyes followed his ex. He then turned to Lucia and strutted toward her. "You fucking cunt." He spat, reaching toward Lucia.

"Back the fuck off," Came the loud voice of Ryan. He stepped forward, putting himself between Lucia and Joe.

"You heard Taylor. Piss off, cunt." Ryan spat.

Joe shook his head, pushing open the gate that led to his room and disappearing inside.

"Fuck,"