"I've got a hundred thrown-out speeches, I almost said to you"- Taylor's Sister

Part 9

Andrea and Scott entered the penthouse, their laughter fading as they took in the sight before them. Taylor sat on the couch, tears streaming down her cheeks, while Travis hovered protectively nearby, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

"What happened?" Andrea asked, rushing to her sister's side, her heart aching at the sight. Scott followed closely, his expression shifting from confusion to concern.

"It's Sophia," Taylor said, her voice thick with emotion. "I tried to reach out to her, but she just... she just exploded on me. I didn't mean to upset her!"

"Yeah," Travis chimed in, a hint of frustration in his voice. "We tried to talk to her, to let her know she's not alone, but she just shut down. It was like she didn't want to listen to us at all."

"What did she say?" Scott asked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the door frame, his tone shifting to a protective edge.

Taylor wiped her tears, trying to compose herself. "She said I'm too busy being Taylor Swift to care about her," she replied, her voice wavering. "I mean, I've got a lot going on right now. I'm trying to prepare for a huge tour! It's not easy, and I just... I felt like she was being so harsh."

"And I don't think she realizes how hard this is for you," Travis added, glancing at Taylor with concern. "She needs to understand that you're trying your best."

Scott, who had been listening intently, felt a surge of anger rise within him. He turned sharply, marching toward Sophia's bedroom door. "I need to talk to her," he said firmly, his voice steady but laced with frustration.

"Dad, wait!" Taylor called after him, but Scott was already knocking on Sophia's door.

"Sophia, open this door!" he demanded, his voice echoing in the silence.

A moment later, the door creaked open, and Sophia peered out, her expression a mix of defiance and surprise. "What?" she asked, crossing her arms defensively.

Scott stepped inside, his posture rigid. "I don't care how you feel about this whole situation," he said, his tone unwavering. "But you need to show your sister some respect. She's trying to be there for you, and all you do is push her away."

Sophia's eyes widened, a mix of anger and hurt flashing across her face. "You don't understand!" she shot back. "She doesn't care about me. She's too busy living her perfect life!"

Scott shook his head, frustration mounting. "And you think it's easy for her? Being in the spotlight? You have no idea what it's like for her to juggle everything while still trying to be a sister. You're acting like a spoiled brat!"

Sophia's jaw clenched, and she felt tears prick at her eyes. "Maybe if she spent more time with me instead of worrying about her stupid tour, I wouldn't feel so alone!"

"Enough!" Scott barked, his voice echoing in the small room. "You need to realize that life isn't just about you. It's about family. Taylor is your sister, and she loves you. She's trying to reach out, but you're pushing her away. It's time to grow up and face that!"

Sophia felt her chest tighten as Scott's words sunk in. The anger that had fueled her began to wane, replaced by the weight of his disappointment. She opened her mouth to retort, but no words came out.

"Take some time to think about how you treat your family," Scott said firmly, his voice softening just a little. "You may not see it now, but what you're saying and doing matters. It's hurting her."

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Sophia standing in stunned silence. She felt a wave of emotions crash over her, her heart pounding in her chest. Did she really want to push Taylor away? Did she want to be the reason her sister felt isolated and alone?

As she closed the door, she leaned against it, her breath shaky. She realized she had been so wrapped up in her own pain that she hadn't stopped to consider Taylor's struggles. Perhaps there was more to this than she had allowed herself to see.

Meanwhile, Scott returned to the living room, where Taylor and Travis were waiting. The tension in the room was palpable.

"What did she say?" Taylor asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"I told her she needs to show you some respect." Scott replied, running a hand through his hair.

Sophia leaned against her bedroom door, feeling the sting of her father's words cut deep. You need to realize that life isn't just about you. Those words echoed in her mind, each repetition feeling like a knife twisting in her chest. Nothing was ever about her; it was always about Taylor—the shining star, the beloved pop icon.

You're acting like a spoiled brat!

His voice reverberated in her ears, and she felt a rush of anger mixed with despair. Did anyone care how she actually felt? Taylor and Travis had twisted the story to make her seem like the villain, the ungrateful sister. Of course, everyone believed the perfect pop star over her—the invisible little sister.

With her heart racing, she flopped onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow. She could hear Taylor and Travis's laughter from the living room, the sound like a reminder of everything she didn't have. In their world, everything sparkled. They had each other, and she was just... there. A shadow lurking in the background.

Feeling the tears spill onto her pillow, she rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. What was so wrong with wanting to feel seen? She had tried to reach out, to connect, but every time she did, it felt like she was hitting a brick wall. Taylor was so wrapped up in her glamorous life, she couldn't see the damage it was doing to Sophia.

As she wiped her tears away, a mix of anger and sadness welled up inside her. Maybe she was just being dramatic. But wasn't it valid to want a sister who cared about her? One who would take the time to understand how hard it was for her, trapped in this new reality?

Taking a deep breath, she sat up and pulled her laptop closer. With shaky fingers, she opened her private Instagram account and typed a message to Connor. It was the only place where she felt safe to express her feelings, where someone cared to listen without judgment.

Hey, she wrote. I'm feeling really lost here. Dad just yelled at me, and it's like nobody gets it. They all believe Taylor, and I'm just... invisible.

She hit send and waited, staring at the screen, hoping for a quick reply. A few moments later, her phone buzzed with a notification.

I'm sorry, Soph. You're not invisible to me. I wish I could help you. Just remember, you're not alone in this. I'm here whenever you need to talk.

His words brought a flicker of comfort amidst the storm of her emotions. At least someone saw her. At least someone cared.

But that wasn't enough to drown out the feeling of isolation creeping back in. As she lay back down, staring at the ceiling once more, the weight of her situation pressed heavily on her chest. She wished she could escape, wished for a life where she felt loved and valued—not just as Taylor Swift's little sister but as Sophia, a person with her own dreams and desires.

But for now, all she could do was wait, hope, and find the strength to confront the family dynamic that seemed so skewed. She had to believe that there was a way out of the shadows. There had to be.