So High School | T. Swift x OC

seven

Taylor woke up to the soft light of morning streaming through her bedroom curtains. She stretched, expecting to find Eliot beside her, but her hand only met the cool, empty sheets. A pang of disappointment hit her as she sat up, scanning the room for any sign of him. Had he just left without a word? She bit her lip, trying to quell the unease creeping into her mind.

She grabbed her phone from the nightstand, hoping to see a message or missed call. Her heart leapt with a mix of relief and curiosity when she saw a text from Eliot.

Eliot McAddams: Hey Taylor, I'm so sorry to leave without saying goodbye. I forgot I have a plane to catch at 11am, and I didn't want to wake you. I'll make it up to you, I promise. Call me when you get this so I know you're not mad?

Taylor sighed, her frustration dissipating. She dialled his number and waited for him to pick up. After a few rings, she heard his familiar voice.

"Hey," she said, trying to keep her tone light. "Thank you for not just ditching me and explaining yourself."

"It's the least I could do," Eliot replied, sounding genuinely remorseful. "I didn't want you to think I left like a booty call."

Taylor chuckled, her mood lifting. "Can I FaceTime you?"

"Duh," Eliot said with a smile in his voice.

A moment later, his face appeared on her screen. He was sitting in his seat, the background noise of the plane barely audible.

"Hey there," she said, smiling back at him.

"Hey yourself," he replied. "I'm really sorry, Taylor. I should have set an alarm or something."

"It's okay," she said, her eyes softening. "I just wish I could have seen you off."

Eliot's expression was earnest. "I wish I could have stayed. But I really do want to make it up to you."

"We'll figure something out," she assured him. "Where are you headed?"

"Back to Kansas City," he said. "We've got some team stuff to handle."

Taylor nodded. "Right. Well, just make sure you don't forget about me while you're busy being a soccer star."

"Forget about you? Impossible," Eliot said, his grin widening.

Taylor glanced behind him and noticed Izzie and Noah, who were giving him space but also watching curiously.

"You're in first class?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, thought we'd travel in style this time," Eliot said, laughing. "You know, since we're celebrating and all."

"Celebrating what?" Taylor asked, tilting her head.

"Meeting you, of course," Eliot replied, his tone sincere.

Taylor felt her heart flutter. "You're sweet. And a bit cheesy."

"Guilty as charged," he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

They talked for a while longer, sharing small details about their plans for the day and making each other laugh. Taylor felt the sting of his absence lessen with each word, and she was grateful for the connection they maintained despite the distance.

"Okay, I've got to go," Eliot finally said, glancing around as the flight attendants started their pre-flight checks. "But I'll text you as soon as we land, okay?"

"Deal," Taylor said, her smile lingering as she ended the call.

As Eliot settled into his flight, he couldn't help but replay the events of the night before. Taylor's kisses, her laughter, the way she looked at him—it was all etched into his memory. His cousins were chattering excitedly, already discussing their plans for the next few days, but Eliot's thoughts were firmly on Taylor.