The Alchemy

The Black Dog

-March 31st, 2023, Arlington Night 1-

I haven't heard from Joe since our last fight, but I haven't had time to worry about him or anything. The tour takes all my time, and I have to confess that I bury myself in dance and vocal training. I've also done a lot of paperwork and started writing a few songs for a possible new album.

I'm chilling on my phone in the dressing room; I go on stage in six hours. I'm on my secret/private Instagram account, scrolling through the feed, when I notice that a girl I met a few months ago at a party with Joe is at The Black Dog. It's a bar in the UK where Joe and I loved to spend time. The caption says she was going on a date and had never been there before. So, I comment that she should try the Black Dog Lager, which is my favorite drink there. That reminds me of us, and a small tear falls from my cheek. I make a mental note to reach out to Joe after the show and apologize for everything; maybe he'll come back home.

An hour later, I am still scrolling. Tree came in half an hour ago, asking me to be ready in an hour for rehearsals. I scroll through a few more pictures before getting ready for rehearsal. That was a bad idea. The last picture I see is from Joe's private account. He has a drink in his hand and a big smile. He is wearing a very chic outfit and looks happy. What shocks me is the logo on his drink: a dog, with "The Black Dog" underneath.

My phone slips from my hand, and tears pour down.

I don't have time to pick my phone back up to make sure it's him when I hear a knock on my door. Tree opens the door. She looks at me with more concern than usual.

"Hey, honey, what's going on?"

"Nothing," I say coldly. I wipe my tears and stand up. My body is visibly shaking, but I fight the pain and splash some water on my face.

"I'm ready, though I'd like to make some changes for tonight's show. I'd like to change a song."

"It's maybe a little late for that, don't you think? Maybe next city," she says, waiting for a response, but I don't give one. She understands that I am not kidding.

"Oh, you're serious. Well, maybe if we work on it all day, it could work. Which song is it?" she asks, concerned.

"Invisible String. I don't feel like singing it. I'd prefer 'the 1.'"

"But I think you added this song for Joe?"

"That's the point," I say, breaking down.

—

We worked on the new setlist all day. The band is ready; we know what to do. We made it work despite all the breaks we had to take because of me breaking down in the middle of the stage.I am playing with the food in the salad bowl. I don't feel like eating; I don't feel like doing anything at all. Tree taps on my shoulder to get my attention.

"I called the big bosses. I tried to explain the situation, but they don't want to hear anything. They want you to perform. Sorry, honey, I did my best."

I nod and go back to playing with my salad bowl.

—

"I am done with Arlington," I say to myself. I am in my hotel room, on the sofa, looking at the street. These concerts were the most difficult thing I had ever done. But now I am done, well, at least for a week or so.

I hear a knock on my door as it opens. A tall man is standing in the door frame. He is wearing a full black suit and some dark sunglasses. I nod, indicating that he can come in. He is my new bodyguard. I didn't want a new bodyguard, but Tree suggested it since I was going to travel a lot over the next year, and my security could be compromised.

"Miss Swift, Miss Paine sent me to make sure that you are okay and going to sleep soon," he says without even looking at me.

I think he is pretty annoying. He is always bossing me around and following me everywhere. He also asked for a hotel room next to mine, so now I can't sneak out.

"I am a big girl, thanks, so I can choose when I go to bed," I tell him, even though I actually want to go to sleep, sore from the previous shows.

He rolls his eyes and turns around.

"Don't give me an attitude. I am your boss, in case you forgot," I yell at him as he is leaving.

Before closing the door behind him, he says, "Miss Paine is my boss. I am your bodyguard, so I am the one who makes the call to keep you safe."

"So you better listen to me, Princess" he adds sarcastically with a smirk as he closes the door.

I roll my eyes and let my body fall into the sofa. I close my eyes and try to sleep, but it won't be easy as I am left alone with my thoughts.