in the blink of a crinkling eye (tayvis)

just two kids, you and i

After texting Taylor to check that everything was alright, Travis lay his head on the pillow again but couldn't fall asleep.

So he got up, went to the bathroom to shower, and got ready for the day ahead.

Once he'd finished putting on his warm clothes, he heard his phone vibrate and went to check who it was. Opening the device, he saw a text from Julie, the girl at school he had a crush on. They were in the same friend group.

Julie
"Hey, Kelce! I heard about your wrist, how are you?"

You
"Hey, Juls, I'm doing okay. Hurts a bit haha."

He typed with the tiny keys and closed his phone, heading downstairs to grab something to eat.

As he ate his eggs and bacon, he couldn't stop thinking about how he could win over Julie Peters. She was short, had blonde hair, green eyes, and an amazing smile. Travis was enchanted by her but had no idea how to get her to say yes to going to the year-end dance with him. He needed a romantic gesture, but romance wasn't exactly his strong suit—he didn't have much experience.

He thought about the most romantic, thoughtful person he knew who could help him with this mission.

After a moment, one name came to mind. Taylor.

With a big smile, he began to plan everything in his head. In a few hours, Taylor would be back from school. He would go to her house and convince her to help him.

"That's it," he murmured to himself, pleased with his idea.

Travis waited patiently at the Swifts' front door, thinking about how he would convince Taylor. The door opened, and Andrea, Taylor's mom, appeared.

"Hi, dear. How are you?" She smiled sweetly and hugged him.

"Hey, Andrea, I'm good, how are you?" he replied lightly.

"I'm great! Come on in. Are you here to talk to someone?" she asked kindly, leading him inside and closing the door.

"Yes, I needed to talk to Taylor. Is she home?"

"Yes, she's in her room. You can go up." She smiled, and he smiled back, stopping halfway up when he heard her call his name. "Please leave the door open," she said with a smile. Travis blushed but nodded.

He knocked twice on the white door with a little sign reading "Taylor" in purple with little stars around it. Soon, he saw a pair of sparkling blue eyes.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, eyes wide. Taylor was wearing a slouched Friends shirt, which let her right shoulder show. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun with a loose strand falling over her face. She wore light shorts and bunny slippers on her feet.

"Such a warm welcome, Swifty. I'll start thinking you have a crush on me." He winked, and she rolled her eyes, pulling him inside and closing the door. "Uh, your mom asked me to leave the door open." She rolled her eyes again but left the door open.

"What do you want from me, Travis?" she asked, sounding bored as she went back to sit on her bed.

Travis ignored her question for a moment, taking in her room. It was an average size with light gray walls. Her bed looked cozy, with soft blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals. There was also a dark guitar and several papers strewn across it. In front of her bed was Taylor's desk, cluttered with books, both for school and personal reading. He noticed other decorative items: star-shaped string lights, a keyboard, purple rugs, a small pouf with a stuffed cat on top, and various photos of celebrities, movies, and bands. It was all very Taylor.

"Did you come here to see my room? Need decorating tips?" she asked with a teasing smile.

"No, thanks. I'm here for something else," he said, sitting on the bed. She gave him a strange look.