the alchemy | Taylor Swift x OC

5

Bailee's Version

2 Months Later

The night wrapped around me like a soft blanket, the dim light of my bedside lamp, casting a soft glow. I cradle my phone, heart racing as I dialed Taylor's number. It had become a cherished ritual — our late night calls. each conversation conveyed layers of her personality that left me captivated. Taylor was thoughtful, genuine, and kind in a world that was so cruel.

"Hey B!" Her voice was like a melody, instantly calming my nerves. "How's everything going?"

"Super busy. Scrimmage week is coming up. We've been practicing hard, and I'm hoping to show off a bit on game day." I laughed lightly, excitement bubbling between my words.

"Sounds intense! I wish I could be there to watch you," she said, her tone sincere.

That little comment sparked an idea in my mind. "You know, you should totally come to one of my scrimmages next week. It'll be fun! Plus seeing you would be even better."

The was a pause, a slight hitch in the flow of our conversation. "Oh, Bailee, that would be amazing, but..." Her voice faltered, and I could sense the weight of her words. "You know it's risky for me to be out in public like that, I have to be cautious about my safety and the attention it draws. Trust me you don't want me there."

I felt my heart sink, a wave of disappointment washing over me. "I get it," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I hope you can figure something out Tay, I really want you there."

"I'll talk to Tree about it, knowing her she's going to say no but it's worth a shot. I really wanna see you," she promised, her voice soft.

As we continued to talk, I couldn't shake the feeling of longing at that settled deep inside my chest. We've been talking for 2 months already and I've fallen hard for this girl. I wanted to see her and tell her how much I like her, how much I adore her, and share the excitement of the game with her. Every night spent talking had woven her into the fabric of my life, and the thought of seeing her face-to-face made my heart race in a way that felt different from the exhilaration of the court.

After we hung up, I laid in my bed while I stared at the ceiling. My mind was on a whirlwind of emotions. I thought back to our conversations — the way she listened intently, her laughter that filled the silence with warmth, and how she seemed to genuinely care about my life. I could feel the connection growing deeper, but the distance felt insurmountable.

-

The next day, I shared my plans with Madi during practice. "So, I invited Taylor to come watch the next scrimmage," I said with a mix of excitement.

She erupted in laughter, "Be quiet Bails she's on tour she's not going to be able to come." I stared at her while a frown showed on my face so I decided to look away. "Oh you're serious?" Madi asked curiously.

"Yeah, but she's not sure she can make it," I admitted feeling a hint of embarrassment wash over me. "She said it's risky for her to be out in public."

"That's understandable," Madi said. "But just the fact that y'all have been talking for a while means something might happen in the future. You never know B."

-

I practiced hard that week, my mind often drifting to thoughts of Taylor. Each time I set the ball or dove for a save, I imagined her cheering me on from the sidelines. It was a distraction, but it fueled my determination. I wanted to impress her — not just because she was a celebrity, but because I wanted her to see me, really see me.

-

The day of the scrimmage arrived. I informed Taylor of the date a few days ago but we found out it was the same day as her tour. I was disappointed, but I tried my best to hide it.

As the gym was buzzing with excitement, I felt a rush of adrenaline as my teammates and I warmed up. The smell of sweat and polished wood filled the air.

As I took my place on the court, I scanned the stands, hoping to see a glimpse of Taylor. Even though I knew she wasn't coming. My heart raced with every whistle and cheer, my focus split between the game and the thought of her possibly being here. When the first set began, I poured everything into my performance. Each point scored felt like a step closer to her, as if she was right there with me.

During a timeout, I stole a glance at my phone, half expecting a text. Nothing. My heart sank a little, but I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. I couldn't let disappointment affect my performance. The match continued, and I lost myself in the rhythm of play, each set and serve an expression of my passion.

As the final whistle blew, signaling our win, I felt a rush of euphoria mixed with an ache for her presence. We gathered for a quick huddle, celebrating our victory, but my thoughts lingered to what could have been as I watched all my teammates runs to their significant other. Shouldn't I have someone to share this feeling with?

After the game I spotted my teammates chatting and laughing, but I felt a tug in my chest. I wanted to share this moment with Taylor.

Just as I turned to head outside, I saw a familiar figure stepping into the gym. My heart stopped—Taylor was there.

"Bailee!" She called out, a radiant smile lighting up her face. I rushed over to her, a mix of disbelief and joy washing over me.

"You came!" I exclaimed, my voice as soft as a whisper as we hugged.

"I couldn't miss it," she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You were incredible out there."

"Thank you, but I thought you had tour today?" I asked confused. "I did, but we finished with just enough time to make it. I managed to convince Tree to let me fly down here for a bit. I'm all yours for a week!" She said happily.

In that moment, everything else faded away. The noise of the gym, the cheers of my teammates—it all melted into the background. It was just us. Or so I thought.

*click*