Renegade - A Taylor Swift Adoption Story

Chapter 2: I'm an Orphan

I woke up in an unknown room, surrounded by some of the softest pillows I've ever slept in. The light was determined to make its way through the curtains, leaving a few streaks around the room, highlighting the large wardrobe and a couple of photos on the wall. In the near distance I heard the loud purring of a cat and a soft sound of a guitar coming from another room.

I tried to suppress a cough but failed - and soon it turned into a coughing fit. The noise must've scared the white cat that was sleeping at the edge of the bed because she sprung into action and raced out of the room. The guitar noise stopped and before I knew it, THE Taylor Swift was standing at the doorway of the room. Her long blonde hair was straight and she was wearing a basic t-shirt and yellow sweatpants. She smiled.

"Hi Chloe, good morning."

She must've seen how confused I was because she continued, "we didn't want to wake you up last night, you were sleeping so peacefully - you must've been exhausted."

That didn't really explain much. "What... what is happening?"

Taylor picked up the cat, who I've now recognized as Olivia Benson herself, and walked over to the bed where I was sleeping. She sat next to me and put Olivia on the bed. The white fluffy cat instantly came over and leaned herself against my head, letting me pet her.

"She likes you," Taylor smiled. "She wouldn't leave your side all evening from the moment we brought you in."

I relaxed a bit more now and closed my eyes as I continued to stroke Olivia.

"We moved you to my apartment," Taylor continued, "the arena wouldn't be safe, plus you have your knee to heal."

The memories of last night started to rush through. Me sneaking to a Taylor Swift concert. Getting spotted by security. Running and tripping. The panic attacks. The knee. What will happen to me now?

Tears started to well up in my eyes and Taylor reached out her hand to tuck a few hair strands behind my ears. "Don't worry, sweetie. We'll find your parents."

I knew I had to tell her. I just knew it.

"No," I shook my head, "No you won't."

Taylor scrunched her forehead. "What do you mean?"

I took a deep breath before continuing. Here it goes. "I don't have any parents. I'm an orphan. I live in the Sunshine Orphanage in New York." Tears were now steadily falling down my face with no sign of stopping.

"I'm so sorry. I snuck in to your concert last night because I really wanted to see you. I didn't know all of this would've happened. Please, you can just let me go and I'll go back."

TAYLOR

I listened to the words of the frail-looking child in front of me. It was just as I imagined when I first saw her. She looked malnourished practically, with very little attention given to the care of her looks and body. I knew she was 9, but it hardly showed - she was just skin and bones, with visible bruises all over her arm.

I didn't care that she didn't tell me the truth - people three times her age lie about far worse things with far worse intentions.

As she was crying her breathing got faster and faster and I could sense another panic attack was on its way. I wondered how many of those has she had in her short lifetime. Instinctively I grabbed both of her hands and gently squeezed them.

"Honey, look at me please. Look at me. None of what happened is your fault, okay? You have nothing to apologise about."

"But.." sniffled Chloe as she tried to speak through her tears, "I lied."