End Game - Taylor Swift

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The sound of the Facetime ringtone pierced the silence, making me jump. I quickly went to pick up my phone - It was Alex.

I accepted the call, my throat going dry as I saw her face appear on screen. She looked radiant, with her hair framing her face just so. But as soon as she saw my face, her expression changed. She looked concerned, noticing something was off.

"baby, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with worry. "You look like you've been crying."

I tried to plaster a smile on my face, but it came out as a wince. "I'm fine," I lied, my voice cracking. "Just a headache, that's all."

Alex gave me a scrutinizing look, her eyes narrowing. "Taylor... I can tell when you're lying," she said in a gentle but firm tone. "Please tell me what's really wrong."

I blinked back tears, fighting to keep a neutral expression on my face. "I just... miss you," I admitted, my voice almost a whisper.

It was the truth. With Alex away, the pain of what I had done was magnified. I missed her touch, her voice, her laughter.

"I miss you too," Alex said, her voice softer.

I winced inwardly, feeling the guilt and shame wash over me again. Alex was looking at me with such love and concern, and I couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth. She trusted me, she loved me, and I had betrayed her in the worst possible way.

Alex seemed to sense my reluctance to disclose anything, so she changed the subject. "Wait a minute," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "I have something to show you. I saw it in a shop and I knew I had to get it for you."

She angled the phone so the camera focused on the object in her hand.

It was a small jewelry box, with a intricate design on the lid. I could feel my heart skip a beat as she opened it reveal a delicate gold necklace with a tiny delicate 'T' charm hanging from the chain. I gasped at the sight of it.

"It's beautiful," I breathed, a mix of surprise and guilt coursing through me. Alex had no idea what I had done. She was here, continents away, thinking only of me, showering me with gifts.

Alex smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I can't wait to give it to you in person," she said, her voice full of affection. "I can just imagine how gorgeous you'll look wearing it."

I desperately wished I could fast-forward time. I wanted the necklace, I wanted Alex back in my arms. I wanted to rewind the clock back a few days, to a time before I had ruined everything.

"I can't wait to see you," I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I miss you so much.."

"I miss you too," Alex replied, her expression softening. "But I'll be home soon. Just two more months."

Two more months. It felt like an eternity. I ached for Alex, every fiber of my being screamed to tell her, to confess my sins. But the words stuck in my throat, refusing to escape.

We continued talking for a while, but my mind was elsewhere. I was trying to keep up a facade, to act like nothing was wrong.  But I could tell Alex sensed something was amiss. She kept giving me those concerned looks, searching my face for clues.

As the conversation continued, Alex picked up a fork and started picking at the food on her plate. "Hey," she said suddenly, breaking the tension. "It's around breakfast time there, right? Have you eaten yet?"

I shook my head, even though I hadn't even thought about food all morning. "No, I haven't," I replied, trying to keep my voice casual.

"You should eat something," Alex scolded gently. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."