Shadows Lurking | Taylor Swift Fanfic

15: h a p p i n e s s

There is happiness
Past the blood and bruise
Past the curses and cries

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The two Swift's had just came back from Edinburgh and were now in Liverpool.

Walking round Liverpool there were markets filled with custom made Taylor merch. Handmade bracelets, paintings, denim jackets, Starbucks cups, tote bags.

Taylor being Taylor decided she would visit these and surprise the workers and customers.

"Okay, Ams I think there is one right around the corner" Taylor said.

There large coats in the rainy weather disguised them easily. It was quiet though because of the rain.

The two Swift's walked into the small stall that was located in an indoor market. The Swifties really put effort into their handmade goods.

Amerie's eyes spotted something a pair of cow boy boots that were customised to have paintings of snakes, clocks, hearts, stars,mirrorball, mini cowboy boots, leaves, red scarfs, etc.

"Mom theres a lot of your face in here" Amerie whispered to Taylor, who just let out a small chuckle.

"It is a store based on me..." Taylor whispered back.

Taylor picked up the pair of cowboy boots that were customised, luckily they were her and Amerie's size.

"You're actually getting things... gosh you're the biggest fan of.. yourself." Amerie realises she said that a bit too loud, she lets out a cough. "Sorry I mean Taylor Swift" Amerie says hoping to save herself.

"Shh will you" Taylor said quietly nudging the teenager.

"Sorry" Amerie mumbled.

Taylor walked up to the counter and placed the boots on the counter and some other items she had picked up. Stickers of Meredith, Olivia, benji, ones of her and Amerie, etc.

The cashier immediately looked at her and paused.

"Err... would you like a bag.. or a guitar. Sorry that was really out of place of me." The cashier mumbled shaking her head.

"No it's okay" Taylor chuckled.

Amerie was wondering around the store, lost in her own imagination. She was staring at a section of her. They were already merch for Shadows Lurking, she hadn't even realised the song properly... they were Eras tour tops of her. People actually liked her?

"Ri they want to talk to you" Taylor said pulling the girl out of her thoughts.

Taylor saw the display and quickly picked up the Amerie Eras tour shirt and merch on Shadows Lurking, she hid them behind her back.

Taylor walked over to the counter and placed them on there with some money on top and pointed to them in which the cashier nodded and placed them in a bag.

"Sorry my daughter is a big fan, of you.. Amerie" A woman said in which caught Amerie's attention.

"Me?" Amerie questioned.

"Yes, she watches all your TikTok. And of course she's a fan of you Taylor. But she's 13, she struggles to accept her diagnosis in autism and you've been there for her every step, your videos have made her more confident. She's always listening to Shadows Lurking, she's constantly saying how she can't wait till you make your own music, she finds Shadows Lurking relatable and thinks you should record it and release it as a single" A woman said.

"Thanks..." Amerie said nervously.

"Do you think I could get a picture for my daughter" The woman said.

"I'm not sure.." Amerie spoke quietly.

"Of course we can" Taylor jumped in.

Amerie shook her head in which earned a glance from her Mom.

"There's no harm in a picture Amerie" Taylor said smiling into the woman's phone.

But Amerie was emotionless, her face was blank.

The woman took a look at the photo and peered at Amerie's expression, showing the two Swift's.

"Why don't we take another one?" The woman asked.

"Of course, Amerie big smile remember" Taylor said reaching for Amerie's hand to hold, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Amerie has always felt insecure about her smile, she called it the autism smile. It was an awkward smile, she never really knew how to smile right, she could mask it. But for some reason masking just wasn't working, she was anxious and felt like shutting down.

That's when the tears started. "Gosh why do I have to be such a baby" Amerie thought to herself.

The tears just wouldn't stop, Taylor noticed these tears and looked at her daughter with sympathy.

"Sorry about this, I don't think Amerie's having a good day today." Taylor said softly.

"No it's okay don't worry, we got a few photos any way I'm sure that will make my Chlo happy." The woman said.

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The two Swifts had now left the store and Taylor pulled Amerie over to a small bench.

"What's wrong? Talk to me Amy" Taylor spoke softly. She only called her Amy when she was worried about Amerie's mental health.

"Everything was too much, the talking, the eye contact, how they was a whole section for merch of me, I just found it stressful. And I feel bad because the shop wasn't like it was even dedicated to me, it was a shop of you, so why am I stressed about it and you're not. People are already going crazy about Shadows Lurking it's not like it's even a proper song, I was just playing around and people like it and sing it and play it... I just don't understand why? Why some people like me and some people don't." Amerie vented.

"Deep breaths, and you know why people are playing your song, it's because you're talented." Taylor said pulling her daughter into a hug.

"I don't always think that.." Amerie confessed.

"Oh Amerie.. I wish sometimes you would tell me what you're feeling, like your insecurities, because I see it written across your face when you're insecure about something. Sometimes you need to stop doubting yourself and trying to be perfect, because it will drain you and I'm speaking from experience, you don't have to please everyone" Taylor said.

"I know it's just sometimes when I'm so caught up in masking I kind of forget to please me..." Amerie sighed.

"I'm proud of you for telling me things, it's brave. When you were diagnosed with autism it was scary, sure I knew you were different from other children. You were sensitive to loud noises, wouldn't talk to strangers, you would flap your hands when you got excited, walk on your tiptoes. I didn't want to believe it at first, but when you were 7 your anxiety got really bad that you needed professional help, which lead to the autism diagnosis. I was scared, because I thought you wouldn't have a good life, that you would need to be hidden, protected so you wouldn't be bullied, that you would need my constant attention and support. I was scared I wouldn't be able to do that with my career. But you were very independent, you still are. Always insisted to do things by yourself, you taught yourself how to read and write when you were 3, taught yourself how to play piano and guitar when you were 6. Look at you now, you're incredibly talented and intelligent. We have happiness" Taylor spoke.

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A/N:

I hope you liked this chapter, little insight into Amerie's childhood and kinda the reason she is who she is and why she masks.