CRUELEST SUMMER

25

Taylor pov

   The few days since Christmas have been busy, my mom stayed for two days before flying back home. I enjoyed getting to spend time with her. It's not often I get to have uninterrupted quality time with her, not unless she comes to an event or on tour.
All Because lavender made it happen. She went out of her way to get my mom here for Christmas. Never had any of my exes ever done something as thoughtful, she really does care.

"Taylor are you listening" Tre snaps her fingers in front of my face

"Yeah yeah" I mumble a push my hair out of my face.

" so after finishing up the tour dates, what were we thinking next" she asks clicking her pen.

It's days before New Year's and when we are finishing last-minute arrangements for the 1989 world tour. The end of every year always feels so busy, it's my birthday then Christmas then New Year's, and every holiday having a corresponding event. This year is slightly different from lav back in my life.

"I'm not sure at the moment, I might have a new album or I might take some time off" I lean back into the office chair.

Lavender has successfully recorded all my music videos and they have been uploaded. The process was surprisingly quick and I'm happy with the videos. I might have her make my future videos, one because she's extremely talented and two well because she's now my girlfriend. I can't get over saying that.

"I don't suggest a hiatus, you're just getting started" Tree quickly sits forward dropping the pen onto the table.

"I know but I'm not going to force myself to produce crap tree, I want it to be real- and that sometimes takes time" I huff

I know she doesn't like my response, but he slightly nods her head.

"Look I hate to be this person but anything else can be discussed after the new year, you need to enjoy the holiday and I have a party to attend tonight" I push up from the chair.

"Okay Taylor but please be responsible tonight" Tree sighs.

  I typically wouldn't have a business meeting with Tree on New Year's Eve but she has been extremely persistent to finish scheduling out the rest of the year. So I left my warm bed to figure all this shit out when I should be at lavenders house getting ready for tonight. Karlie is throwing the New Year's Eve party this year- I'm so thankful that it's not me. I'm still finding glitter everywhere.

   "Trust me tree, I'll be good" I smile and walk out of the door.

   I take the elevator downstairs and climb into the car that's waiting for me.

"Lavender's apartment please," I say as I buckle the seatbelt.

I slip my phone out and text Lav a message.

Taylor: on my way over.

   The rush hour traffic brings the car to a standstill. I'm thankful for the tinted windows otherwise people would know I'm in here. There are plenty of fans who know my vehicles yet they respect my privacy. It gets worse the more known I've become. My real fans respect my privacy.

   I scroll through Instagram and like a few posts before I start coming across photos of myself. Ones that I instantly start picking apart. Fuck I've gained weight. I need to lose it, I look fucking pregnant. I quickly click my phone off and close my eyes, I take a new deep breath and glance outside only to notice half the road is closed.

"What's going on" I shift forward to ask Rick, one of my drivers.

"They are closing off the street for tonight, we just have to take a different route," he says as we turn onto a side road.