the alchemy | Taylor Swift x OC

4

Taylor's Version

One Week Later

The soft glow of my Philadelphia hotel room illuminated the scattered notes on my desk, remnants of the nights performance lingering in the air. After the final note faded and the screams of the crowd had subsidized, I sat in my quiet space, still buzzing with energy.

My mom had given me a knowing look, one of those looks that said she could see right through the curated facade. 

"You seem..happy," Andrea told her daughter with a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Its nothing, Mom," I replied, brushing it off. "Just the adrenaline of the show." But the truth was, there was something else stirring inside me, a blend of exhilaration and confusion. It wasn't just the performance; It was the late night call with Bailee.

Flashback

It had been 2 days since Bailee promised to send me a friendship bracelet with her number on it.

 A few days later, as I was cooking lunch, I received a package. My bodyguard, Greg, brought it up to me in my New York home. As I read the label, it said it was from Bailee Rose.

When I opened it, there was a multi-colored beaded bracelet with 10 digits on it. Her phone number.

I smiled to myself as I stared at it. I got the motivation to type the number in my contacts and hit call.

"Hello?" A quiet voice echoed through my phone. "Hey, its Taylor." I replied. "Oh hey! I see you finally got my package." Bailee said. "Yeah, very cute. Just wanted to call and make sure it was really you and not some random number to a pizza place," I added. "Definitely not a pizza place, just a girl sitting in her apartment contemplating about whether or not she should work out," Bailee said with a little giggle. 

I smiled to myself, gosh she's so cute.

Present

Our conversations had spiraled into something unexpected. We had met through Instagram, and what started as a casual chat, turned into hours of laughter and late-night confessions. 

Each time I heard her voice, my heart would flutter a little more, and I would lose track of time, entirely wrapped up in a the way she spoke about her passions, her dreams, and the simplicity of life. 

After that call, I felt a strange mix of warmth and uncertainty. My mind raced with thoughts, and I replayed our conversations over and over. There was something about her that felt so safe, and comforting. I wanted to share everything with her and talk for hours without feeling like too much. 

I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this way- so utterly captivated by someone.

But that connection came with its complications. I had promised Tree, and myself, that I would be careful with my heart. In this world of glitz and pressure, it was easy to get caught in feelings that would become headlines, and I wasn't sure I was ready for that. Especially since I'm not out yet. But the more I tried to ignore my feelings for Bailee, the stronger they became. 

-

The next morning, I met Tree for coffee in the lobby of the hotel before it was time to fly home. She sat across from me, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. 

"I found out you've been talking to Bailee," She said, her tone more serious than I expected. "I told you to be cautious, you can't afford for the media to find out. You know how things can spiral out of control."

I sighed, feeling a familiar tension rise in my chest. "Tree its not what you think. I cant help it- I really enjoy talking to her. It feels different, and plus no one knows. How did you even find out?"

"Different how?" She pressed, her eyes narrowing as she leaned closer." Taylor, you're in the middle of a tour. You can't afford distractions, it could jeopardize everything." 

I felt my heart race, not just from the pressure but from the desire to defend this connection that felt so real to me. "I'm not distracted. If anything, Bailee grounds me. She's passionate and focused, and I admire that. I don't want to stop talking to her just because you're scared." I fire back.  

Trees expression softened slightly, but I could see the worry still lingering. "Just be careful, okay? Its easy to get swept away in this whirlwind."

As I left the coffee shop, I felt a heaviness in my chest. Was I really risking everything? I didn't have the answers, but I knew I couldn't ignore the feelings that blossomed in me. Every time I heard Bailees voice, It felt like a home - a safe haven amidst the chaos of flames. 

-

Later that evening after finally landing home, I found myself pacing my room unable to focus on anything else. I reached for my phone, fingers hovering over her contact. With a deep breath, I dialed, and when she picked up, her laughter echoed through the line, wrapping around me like a warm blanket. 

"Hey, you!" she said, her voice instantly brightening my mood. "Hey Bails, hows Texas?"I asked settling into my favorite chair. "Its hot, as always," She replied and I could almost picture her rolling her eyes. "But I just finished open gym, so I'm feeling good. How about you? You must be on a high after the show last night."

"I am," I said, a smile creeping onto my face. "It was incredible. But honestly talking to you feels even better right now."

There was a pause, and I could almost hear her smile on the other end. "Really? I was just thinking about you too. Its funny how connected we feel even though were miles apart."

"Right?" I said, my heart racing at her words. "Its like we just get each other. I don't feel like I have to put on a show or act a certain way." 

"I'm glad I make you feel so safe, Tay." She replied.

Oh Bailee Rose, you have no idea.