Pitch Perfect Harmony

Say It With Your Hands

"Tay, Travis asked Tree if she could give him my number", Andrea told Taylor two days later during breakfast. Her daughter had locked herself in rooms for the past few days and only showed up for food. Even that didn't happen too often though and Andrea got really worried. She didn't know how to help her at this point. Taylor didn't even tell her why she was feeling so low. Because, honestly, Taylor didn't know it herself. Since she was back from South America, everything felt like it was too much, and she felt like she was letting everyone down. "Aren't you guys talking? Or texting?", Andrea asked when Taylor didn't react. She just looked down embarrassed. "Tay, did he do anything wrong?", her mom continued. "No! No, it's just... I... I did everything wrong! I don't... I can't", she stuttered before storming off to the piano again.

Andrea sighed. She texted Tree that Travis could get her number and only a few minutes later, he texted her: "I'm sorry if I am in the wrong but I'm really worried and I don't know what I did wrong. I would apologize but I don't know what for. Can you please just tell me if Taylor is okay?" Andrea didn't understand her daughter either but he deserved some answers in her eyes. "She said you didn't do anything wrong. I don't get through to her at the moment but I'm sure she's not mad at you. Give her some time. I'll continue to try to help her", Andrea wrote. Travis didn't know what to think about that. If she wasn't mad at him then why didn't she answer a single one of his texts? He just wanted to hear her voice and know what was going on in her head. Did something happen? Something Andrea and himself didn't know about?

The next day went on just like that and Andrea decided that she couldn't wait any longer. She had to do something. Maybe it was wrong or a bad idea but she felt like Taylor should be with her boyfriend. There was a chance that he could get through to her. But Travis couldn't come to New York right now, so Andrea planned for Taylor and herself to come to Kansas. She would continue to take care of her daughter when Travis was working but maybe he could do something. Taylor wasn't too happy when Andrea told her about this plan. She felt like she couldn't take a new environment right now and Travis had moved to his new house. She also didn't want to have to look him in the eyes again after ignoring every text over the past few days. But Taylor also was too tired to fight her mom about it, so she went along with it. Andrea packed both of their bags and then they went off to the airport.

Just like she had thought, Taylor felt incredibly overwhelmed by all the noise and people around her. Arriving at his place didn't make it better. She had to go in there now and see him but she couldn't explain herself. "He's not home yet but he gave the keys to your security",  Andrea told her daughter. Taylor was a little relieved about that but when they entered the house she still needed a while to take in only the first new room. It was too much. It was too bright and too new and too unfamiliar. Her whole body was practically screaming to go back home but she couldn't even really move for a moment. Andrea then brought her to the bedroom. She had asked Travis before because she just felt like knowing the direct way there would be helpful now.

Taylor pretty much curled up in bed as soon as she saw it. His scent was already there. She could smell him and that was the first time in days that she felt positive about something. So she cuddled closer to his pillow closing her eyes to forget about the new house around her. Where would she run to in case of an emergency? Where was even the bathroom? She blocked it all out not realizing that Andrea was still looking at her. But her mom left the room soon to text Travis that they had arrived. He hurried to get home but the practice wouldn't be shorter because of his personal problems, so it took a while till he arrived. Silently, he entered the house not knowing what to expect.

Andrea came to greet him at the door. "Hi, I'm so sorry that I couldn't be here earlier. I would've welcomed you", he said hugging her to say hello. "It was probably better that way. She needed a moment to take this house in and she hadn't even seen more than the hallway and bedroom", she told him. Travis sighed. "So she didn't leave the bed since you arrived?", he asked. Andrea shook her head. "Just go and see what you can do. But give her space if she needs it", she told him. "I will", he assured her and walked up the stairs immediately. He took a deep breath and opened the door to his bedroom not knowing what to expect once
more. "Hey", he said silently while taking in the sight of his girlfriend curled up under his blanket. She looked up slowly and met his eyes. Her's were empty and it broke his heart.

Carefully, he sat down next to her. "Can I sit with you?", he asked placing a hand on her shoulder. She didn't say anything but his touch was what she didn't know she needed. Taylor tried to move closer to him laying her head in his lap and looking for his hand to hold. "I'm glad you're here. No matter what's going on", he told her interlocking their fingers. It was so strange to be that close to her and still feel like she was miles away in her mind. He started combing through her hair with his free hand making her close her eyes again. "I love you", he whispered. Taylor heard him. She wanted to give it back but not a single sound left her lips. Instead, a few silent tears left her eyes. Travis noticed and only held her hand tighter. "It's okay. Take your time", he told her gently wiping her tears away. His words were fighting the fire in her head that had been messing with her for days now.

"Can I lay down with you?", he asked. Taylor shifted a bit to make room so he could lay down. She cuddled up to his chest as soon as she could and Travis wrapped his arms around her. He held her close and kissed her head. Her hands grabbed his shirt as if she was scared that he would leave any second. "I'm not going anywhere, Tay", he whispered taking her hand again. Taylor almost couldn't believe how understanding he was. She ignored him for days and he just came home and hugged her not even thinking about letting go. She would want to tell him how thankful she was but there were still no words she could force out.

Andrea brought some food later and she was very glad to see Taylor holding on to something or someone rather than hiding. "Did she talk?", she asked silently. Taylor still heard her. Travis shook his head. "I mean anything. She hasn't said a word in hours", Andrea explained. Travis looked a little shocked but on the other hand, he wasn't too surprised looking down at her almost lifeless body. "Thanks for the dinner. I'm sorry, I couldn't prepare anything", he said before Andrea left. She just smiled softly at him and closed the door again. "Are you hungry?", Travis asked Taylor. He was hoping she would at least eat. And she did sit up so they could both eat. He didn't say anything about it but he was so glad to see her eat knowing that the last time she was in Kansas, her eating disorder had been a problem. That meant that it was something else now. Maybe it was what had happened in Brazil? Or was it nothing specific and she had a depression? He knew that some musicians struggled with that after a tour and even though it was only a break right now, it was possible. Riding high after high on tour could make normal life look pretty low. He even knew that from some of his teammates after a season.

Welcome to the Speak Now era if you're following along with today's London show. 🎆
If not, I hope you have fun reading my marathon-like posted chapters anyway. Whenever you're reading.