Because Hearts Get Broken

Just a boundary

London August 2024

Taylor finishes her final bow and exits the stage, the roar of the crowd still echoing in her ears. Backstage, the atmosphere is buzzing with the aftermath of a successful show: crew members packing up, the hum of conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter.

She is still riding the high of the night, and gets momentarily lost in the thrill of her performance.

However, her exhilaration is interrupted by the sudden recollection of her early encounter with Harry, and the excitement in the venue seems to shift as she feels an old, familiar tension creeping in.

It had been years since she'd seen him, and even longer since they'd spoken.

Their relationship had been a stretched-over-too-many-years rollercoaster, full of intense highs and deeply-painful lows.

Tonight, fate had reunited them unexpectedly. Ed, who had, last minute, accepted to join her on stage had brought Harry along as part of his entourage.

"Like old times", Ed had said as he confirmed Harry as part of his guest list, gaining him one of her playful eye rolls. She had not thought more of it after then.

When they had finally met up before the show, the VIP box in full swirl, they had kept things civil and even friendly as they greeted each other very briefly.

Everything had seemed fine until she started feeling the weight of their past in every discreet glance they exchanged across the room; and her mind replayed shared moments, missed opportunities, and lingering regrets, dampening the moment.

It is done now. She tells herself, as she makes it to her dressing room, ready to gather her things, head back to her hotel, and leave him and this swirl of unwelcome emotions behind once more.

Harry waits until the dressing room is empty of guests before approaching her. She is about to leave the venue when he shows up. He leans casually against the doorframe, trying to mask his nerves, but as she turns to face him she can see the hesitation in his eyes.

"Hey," he starts softly, offering her a tentative smile. "It's been a while"

She nods, returning the smile with one of her own. "Yeah, it has."

There's a brief, awkward silence as they both take in the moment, and her mind tries to recall when exactly was the last time she had seen him. Maybe at an awards show, and the last time they had been alone? That had been an argument, at her old London home.

Taylor feels her heart beating a little faster, as the memories plague her mind. The buried feelings coming to the surface are unsettling her, and then there is also that familiar pull between them, as strong as ever.

Harry looks good—maybe even better than she remembers. He has matured, the years have added a quiet confidence to him that wasn't there before.

"Congratulations. Great show". He gestures at her, her last stage outfit still on.

She nods at his words and replies with a quiet "thank you".

"You look good," he says, his voice carrying a hint of something she cannot decipher.

"So do you," she replies, her smile genuine but tinged with nostalgia. And she watches him as he slightly blushes trying to hold a smile. Some things never change.

"It's... it's nice seeing you again." She adds.

He nods, a flicker of old emotions crossing his face before he quickly pushes them aside. "Yeah, it's been nice. Weird, but nice."