Taylor had been in rehearsals all day, she wanted to perfect the dance routines. She felt like her body had been betraying her lately.
Whereas before she could remember them seamlessly – now it was all a struggle and she was having to concentrate hard. She saw it as a failure and was determined to work harder to get on top of it.
What she hadn't thought was actually it was harder to retain the dances because her brain was malnourished and fatigued. That her body couldn't keep up with the simple moves because she was in starvation mode and it wouldn't do anything above keeping her alive right now. The simple solution was to eat more – to nourish her body and brain but that wasn't a simple solution for Taylor. That was hell.
So instead, she carried on pushing herself. Punishing herself. Practicing all day. Performing all night. She was determined to do her best, to be the best.
Tree walked backstage, ready to tell the blonde it was time to go on stage again when she found the wardrobe department adjusting her bodysuit again – tucking it in slightly to avoid it gaping where it was loose. She could see the worried expressions on their faces as they were pulling the outfit in AGAIN.
Taylor smiled at her "nearly time?"
Tree nodded, everyone else stepped away, leaving just the two of them. Taylor stepped forward but Tree grabbed her, her voice gentle "we need to talk- about this", she looked the blonde up and down – gesturing vaguely to her body but Taylor shook her head "I am fine Tree, it's just a busy time. No need to panic. I need to go – I am due on stage literally right now"
Tree was reluctant to let her go, but this close to the start of the concert she had no choice so she ushered the blonde towards the stage, making a mental note to clear some time in the blonde's schedule to discuss this tomorrow.
The next 3.5 hours passed in a blur for Taylor. She performed everything with such high energy – giving it her all and before she knew it, she was being lowered back under the stage.
The cheers of the crowd were echoing around her – she could feel the clapping vibrating through her chest. She wanted to soak it all up but panic was beginning to overtake her as she realised that her heart was beating a little too quickly and her breathing was a little too uneven. As the adrenaline of being on stage wore off she realised how tired her body actually felt – like her limbs were concrete. She noticed a slight buzzing in her ears and black spots in her vision. She took a few deep breaths – trying to push herself to the dressing room quicker. Everyone was cheering and hugging, they all wanted to speak to her but she needed to sit down before she passed out.
She began to feel more scared that she wasn't going to make it, but she clenched her jaw – forcing her legs to keep moving and soon she was reaching out for the dressing room door handle.
She walked in, seeing her parents and publicist sitting waiting patiently for her.
They all smiled at her, expecting her to rave about the stellar performance she had just given but instead she was vacant and silent, as she walked closer she managed to mumble "need to sit..."
They all moved – clearing room for her to drop down onto the sofa, what nobody expected was the minute she was sat down, her body went limp – her eyes rolling back into her head and her whole body collapsing sideways. She vaguely heard the shouting coming from everyone but then it was all black....
There was panic in the room, Andrea and Tree rushed to the blonde's side while Scott called for the tour doctor. After a minute or so, the doctor had arrived and Taylor was beginning to stir.
The last thing she remembered was walking into her dressing room so she was concerned when she woke up again surrounded by the tour doctor and her team. She was confused, everyone pulling at her, trying to get her to listen to their commands.
'Tay – can you hear us?'
'Sit up slowly'
'Keep your eyes open'
'Deep breaths now'
She tried to push them away as she woke up fully, she didn't want anyone touching her – didn't want them near her. She just wanted to be left alone, she definitely didn't want to be seen by a doctor.
Tree grabbed her hand, squeezing tightly "Ok – the doctor is here to help. You're probably just dehydrated, right? You ate before the show with me – but you didn't get chance to have your water before we pulled you to the meet and greets before the show?" the publicists eyes were kind but firm – a signal that she wasn't going to rat her out to everyone but that a deeper discussion was going to happen later.
Taylor nodded, unable to speak – her mouth opening and closing silently.
The doctor nodded "we can insert a cannula, give IV fluids?"
Taylor frowned, shaking her head and grumbling "I'm fine"
Everyone in the room shot her a look and she nodded weakly "fine, fluids are fine"
Tree turned to Andrea and Scott "You two go back to the hotel, it'll be a decoy for the press. I'll message you when we are on the way back – you can order her some dinner"
They reluctantly agreed, a final kiss on the blonde's head as they left the room while the doctor gathered his supplies. He finally comes back to the blonde, a cannula and bag of fluids ready to go.
The needle pierces her skin and is pushed into her vein. The pain causes her to flinch, her hair is sweaty, sticking to her forehead. The doctor continues to try to get it situated but he can't get a good placement. Taylor grows restless "I need to move – I'm uncomfortable". The doctor nods "I need to check the other arm, there is no good veins here. You are very dehydrated"
Taylor shifts positions, trying to get herself comfy but a wave of dizziness falls over her, she breathes out slowly, deliberately – trying to calm her pounding heart. Tree reaches over, pushing her hair out of her face "Ready to try again Tay?"
Taylor looks up at her, pleading for another few minutes but the redhead views it as fear. She sits down next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder – she turns her attention to the doctor "go again".
Taylor drops her head back, trying to stay still as the doctor finally manages to get the cannula in. She closes her eyes as the first drips of fluid push through, she feels defeated. She has been caught.
Tree arched one eyebrow, reaching out to hold Taylor's hand gently "I think it's time to talk now Taylor"
