Pitch Perfect Harmony

I'm Crying In Your Livingroom

Taylor and Travis felt good that they had finally talked about her ex. She was relieved about his reaction and Travis understood how her relationship had changed over time. It also made even more sense that she was so scared of his reaction to what the media said about them. Joe seemed to care a lot more about that. They went to bed fairly early after that talk and fell asleep soon. Taylor woke up only a few hours later with songs in her head. It was a pure mix of what would be on her new album. But she could also see something new in this mix. There were new lyrics. So she stood up and snuck out of the bedroom. There was no guitar or piano here, so she had to work with her phone and voice only. But she was able to write some things down. After she had written a few love lyrics over the past weeks, today was her inner sadness speaking. She had lost Joe more than one year ago. Way before the actual breakup. But she also lost mutual friends. She lost contact with people she was close to. Even his brother had once been like her own brother to her.

"Hey, are you okay?", Travis walked into the dimly light living room. "Oh, are you writing? Should I leave you alone?", he recognized still looking concerned. Taylor realized that a few silent tears had run down her cheeks over the past hour she was up. "It's okay, I could need a hug maybe", she tried to smile. Travis didn't hesitate to give her that hug. "The talk just... brought up some stuff. Sorry", she mumbled into his chest. "Why do you apologize?", he asked honestly confused. "I... I'm crying over my ex in your living room", she admitted embarrassed. Travis smiled to himself. He would never have thought that he would be so chill about something like this but he just knew that this had nothing to do with him. She didn't want her ex back, she lost someone who had been important, and of course, that hurt. Even if it was a while ago now. "It's okay. You're still here now", he told her.

"I have to tell you something", Taylor then said. He took a few steps back. What was this about now? Was he wrong? Did she really still miss Joe? "I... I'm writing on a new album. Like... Next year, there's gonna be something new", she said confusing him even more. Why did this sound like she was worried about his opinion? It was a new album. He knew this was going to happen sooner or later. "And I mean... I've been working on it for almost two years kind of. So... It's about Joe and... well Matty probably messed with my head enough to be a topic too... yeah", she explained. Now it clicked. She was scared that he would be mad at her for talking about her exes in a new album even though she was with him now. "Why didn't you tell me?", he still asked even though he kinda knew. Taylor only looked more anxious not knowing what to say. „You... I...", she stuttered ultimately breaking eye contact by turning around. She took a few deep breaths trying to find the right words. Taylor didn't want to hurt him. Travis walked up to her and decided to hug her again. He could feel her body relax instantly.

„What would I be mad about? You probably worked through a lot while writing. It's... I guess, in the back of my head, I knew there would be some songs coming that deal with it", he told her. „I love you", she just said meaning it more as a reassurance that she did not want Joe or Matty back at all. "You said that before", he joked a little. "I love you too, Tay. And I'm sure I'll love this album", he added. "Would you want to hear it before release? So that you know what's coming? The tabloids will tell thir stories", she asked. "I don't care what they say. I know better. But I'd love to hear your songs early of course", he said before kissing her head. "Also... we should probably get you a guitar to this house, hm? You'll be here for another few days", he suggested. Taylor could almost not believe how this turned out. He was so understanding and even encouraged her to write. She's had boyfriends before who said things like: "Can't you just not write for a few weeks? We're on vacation." Sometimes she didn't know why she had ever tolerated things like that but she was honestly just happy to be with Travis now.

Taylor ended up showing him a few of the lines she had just written before they went back to bed. The next morning, she woke up alone because Travis had already left for practice and he didn't want to wake her up after being awake half of the night. He had left her a little note though. One more day went by with her working at the kitchen table and then preparing dinner. She kinda liked the routine already, even though she missed him a little. "Hello beautiful lady!", he came in later. She had heard the car and greeted him in the hallway. "What's that?", she asked looking at a guitar he brought. "Ahm... I asked around and one of the boys actually had a guitar I could borrow. Well... you could borrow it if you want", he explained holding the guitar up. Taylor laughed a bit. The gesture was very cute but something was missing.

"And... did he by any chance have strings for this thing, cause otherwise, I could use it as a drum or whatever but... yeah", she smiled. "He did but we had no time to put them on and I figured you would probably be able to do that", Travis said a little embarrassed about bringing an "unfinished present". Taylor took the stringless guitar so Travis could finally get out of his jacket. "I can. You can help me if you want. Another hand would be helpful", she suggested. "Sure!", he agreed. But first, they went to the kitchen to eat. "You don't have to cook for me by the way. I appreciate it because it's really good but you don't have to, of course", he said. "But I want to", she just said.

Later, they sat down in the living room putting strings on the guitar together. Travis found it surprisingly fascinating to watch her working so concentrated and careful on this instrument. He only had to hold some things every now and then. "Do you think you can work with this?", he wanted to make sure. Taylor smiled at him. "It's a guitar. I will tune it and then I can play it", she said. Travis smiled a little embarrassed. He knew basically nothing about instruments. "I guess yours are better than some hobby guitar of a football player", he explained his question. Taylor smiled at him. He wanted to do it right. "Trav, I'm happy you got me a guitar. I'm not gonna play a concert with it. And even that would probably work. That's the thing about instruments, you know? Of course, there are better guitars than this one but it plays music and that's everything you need", she assured him. "Well, I would probably need a teacher too but I get it", he said. "Would you want to learn a few chords?", she instantly suggested. "I was honestly hoping to hear you play today but in general yes, why not?", he answered.

So Taylor tuned the guitar and played some chords to get used to the new instrument. It was actually a pretty good guitar for a football player's hobby instrument. Travis got his little private concert but Taylor decided to maybe play the one song about him she felt like was almost done tomorrow. There would be some practice necessary because she wanted to do it right. "Thanks for the music", he whispered later when they cuddled up in bed again. "Thanks for the guitar", she answered giving him a kiss before they closed their eyes.