You belong with me

Chapter 1

In the heart of a sun-kissed Philadelphia neighborhood, where tree branches danced in the warm breeze, two best friends shared a bond that felt as natural as breathing. Taylor Swift, a spirited blonde with a penchant for music, lived right next door to Travis Kelce, a brown-haired boy with an infectious grin and a love for football.

Their friendship began in the sandbox, where they built castles and imagined far-off lands. "This is our kingdom, and I'm the queen!" Taylor declared, her voice filled with playful authority. Travis, ever the loyal subject, saluted dramatically. "And I shall defend our kingdom from all invaders!"

"Watch out, here comes the dragon!" Taylor shrieked, giggling as she threw a handful of sand at him. The laughter echoed through the summer air, marking the beginning of countless adventures.

As the years rolled on, their backyard became a magical playground. They spent lazy afternoons lying in the grass, Taylor strumming her guitar while Travis tried to catch fireflies. "You should write a song about me!" he joked, puffing out his chest.

"Only if you promise to be my biggest fan," she teased back, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

Their families intertwined seamlessly; weekend cookouts were a regular affair. Taylor's mom, Andrea, would bake cookies that made the whole neighborhood smell heavenly. "What's your favorite, Travis?" she would ask, a smile on her face.

"Chocolate chip, of course! But I'll eat anything you make, Mrs. Swift!" he'd respond, his eyes gleaming as he grabbed a warm cookie right out of the oven.

"Just don't tell my mom," Taylor would whisper conspiratorially, "I think she's got a secret stash of peanut butter cookies just for you!"

One memorable summer evening, their families gathered for a barbecue. Travis and Taylor were tasked with setting the table. As they fumbled with plates and cups, Travis playfully bumped his shoulder against hers. "Hey, careful! You're gonna spill everything!"

"Just watch and learn, football star. I've got this down to a science!" Taylor shot back, her voice light with laughter.

"Sure you do, Ms. Musician," he teased, pretending to take notes. "Next, she'll be teaching me how to write songs!"

They shared everything, from secrets to silly dreams. At sleepovers, they would stay up late, whispering under the covers about their futures. "I want to be a famous singer someday," Taylor confessed one night, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Really? That's so cool! I can totally see you on stage," Travis encouraged, his eyes shining with admiration. "And I'll be your number one fan, cheering the loudest!"

As middle school approached, their friendship blossomed, yet the world outside began to change. Travis started to pour his energy into football, and Taylor became increasingly dedicated to her music. Their afternoons together turned into quick exchanges and shared glances at school, but the bond they forged in childhood remained strong.

One day after school, Taylor sat on the swings at the park, strumming her guitar absentmindedly. Travis jogged over, his face flushed from practice. "Hey, superstar! Mind if I join you?" he asked, plopping down on the swing next to her.

"Only if you promise not to push me too hard!" she laughed, swinging gently. "I'm still working on my latest song."

"Let me hear it!" he urged, leaning forward with genuine excitement.

With a deep breath, she began to sing a few lines, her voice soft but filled with emotion. Travis listened intently, nodding along. "You have to perform this at the talent show. Seriously, you'll blow everyone away!"

"Maybe... I'm still not sure," Taylor replied, biting her lip, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.

"Taylor, you're amazing. You have to share your talent. I'll be right there cheering for you!" he insisted, his enthusiasm infectious.

Their playful banter continued as they reminisced about their childhood memories. "Remember when we tried to build that treehouse and it fell apart?" Taylor giggled, recalling the summer that felt like a never-ending adventure.

"Yeah, and you cried because we got dirt all over our clothes," Travis chuckled, nudging her playfully. "I thought I'd ruined our masterpiece!"

"You did ruin it! But we can always try again," Taylor replied, her smile wide and hopeful.

As high school loomed closer, Taylor felt the weight of their friendship shifting, the familiar ease now tinged with unspoken feelings. She often found herself daydreaming about Travis, picturing him in his football uniform, the way he laughed, and how safe she felt whenever he was around.

That spring, as they stood together watching the sunset from their favorite spot, Taylor couldn't shake the feeling that their childhood was coming to an end. "Do you think things will change when we start high school?" she asked quietly, her heart racing.

"Change is part of growing up. But I'll always be here for you, Tay," he promised, his gaze unwavering.

"Promise?" she whispered, the weight of those words lingering in the air between them.

"Promise," he echoed, sealing their bond with a smile that made her heart flutter.

As they headed into high school, they stood on the cusp of a new chapter—excited yet uncertain of what lay ahead. Travis was set to shine on the football field, while Taylor was ready to chase her dreams of music. Little did they know, their journey was just beginning, and the bond they had forged in childhood would be tested in ways they could never imagine.