When Worlds Collide

She's gone

The television hummed in the background, but I had more pressing matters to focus on. His lips were soft, tasting like redemption itself. One kiss from him, and the weight of my problems seemed to melt away. His hand moved to my waist, pulling me closer as I sat on his lap. His fingers tangled in my blonde hair, sending a shiver down my spine.

"...Earlier this afternoon, a school group attended the tennis match, and present among them was pop icon Taylor Swift..."

The words from the TV suddenly broke through my haze, and I pulled back from Travis, my heart racing. He looked at me, confused, his brows furrowing as if trying to piece together why I had stopped. But my focus was no longer on him it was on the empty air between us, my mind struggling to process the words I'd just heard.
"...Her relationship with a teacher at the school she's currently visiting was revealed today. Moments later, loud screams could be heard..."
My head snapped toward the TV, my body stiff with growing dread.
"A student reportedly entered the suite and yelled, 'Mrs. Swift!' Chaos quickly followed as paramedics rushed into the suite. But what exactly happened inside?"
I exhaled sharply, the tension in my chest almost unbearable.

Before I could fully grasp the situation, the television abruptly turned off. I spun around to see Travis sitting beside me, the remote in his hand, his expression calm but firm.
"Don't listen to that, sweetheart," he said softly, placing a steadying hand on my cheek. His eyes locked with mine, grounding me, though my thoughts raced. "Even if they know, even if it's out there, let them talk. We'll have that meeting with the principal soon, and we'll straighten everything out. I promise."
His voice was low, soothing, as though it had the power to erase every doubt, every fear. His thumb traced gentle circles on my cheek as he smiled at me, a smile that seemed to carry the weight of reassurance I so desperately needed.
But deep down, unease churned within me.
________________________________

"Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Sophia Brown, please report to my office," the principal's voice echoed through the intercom, cutting sharply through the classroom.
I froze mid sentence, my hands clutching the notebook I was using to jot down notes about the song arrangements. We had just been discussing who would sing which parts and who would accompany me to the studio.
The students looked at each other, murmuring curiously, but I couldn't hear them over the sudden rush of panic in my chest.
Slowly, my eyes drifted across the room to Travis. He sat at the back, his tall frame leaning casually against the desk, but his relaxed posture stiffened the moment his name was called. His jaw tightened, his eyes meeting mine.
For a moment, neither of us moved. My heart pounded in my chest, my thoughts racing in a thousand directions.

The classroom buzzed with whispers, and I realized I was still standing frozen at the front.
Clearing my throat, I forced a tight smile.
"Alright, everyone, continue discussing your parts. I'll be back shortly," I said, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts to sound composed.
As I stepped away from the desk, Travis rose from his seat, his expression unreadable but his movements deliberate. I avoided his gaze as we both headed for the door.
Outside in the hallway, I finally glanced at him, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't want to see her"
He didn't answer right away, his eyes fixed straight ahead. Then, in a low voice, he said, "We'll handle it. Together."
I wanted to believe him, but the Fear and hatred  in my chest only grew as we approached the principal's office.

The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on. I sat stiffly in the chair, my hands clasped tightly in my lap to keep them from shaking. Across from me sat Sophia Brown, her face a mask of defiance, though her jaw was clenched tightly. To my right, Travis was practically vibrating with barely restrained anger. And behind the desk, Mr. Parker, he, looked at all of us with a calm yet piercing gaze that made it clear he was in complete control of the situation.
"Miss Brown," he began, his tone cool but sharp. "I think it's time we cut through the formalities. The incident yesterday at the tennis match was not only unprofessional but outright dangerous. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Sophia scoffed, leaning back in her chair. "Dangerous? Are we really going to exaggerate this situation, Mr. Parker? I was simply concerned for the students' safety. Taylor here was... distracted, as usual, by her personal matters. I stepped in, and things got a little heated. That's all."
My mouth fell open. Distracted?
That was how she wanted to spin this? I could still feel the phantom grip of her hands around my throat, the fear that had gripped me as I struggled for air. I shot a glance at Travis, who looked like he was barely holding himself back. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.

"You attacked her," Travis snapped, his voice low and dangerous.
"In front of the students, no less.
Don't sit there and pretend this was some misunderstanding."
Sophia's eyes narrowed as she turned to him. "Oh, and you would know all about being unprofes-sional, wouldn't you, Mr. Kelce?
Always following Taylor around like a lovesick puppy. Everyone sees it. Maybe if she wasn't so busy flaunting your little... whatever this is, she wouldn't be in this position."
"Enough!" Mr. Parker's voice boomed, cutting through the rising tension like a whip. Sophia flinched, and even Travis leaned back slightly, though his glare at her remained unwavering.

The director turned his attention to Sophia, his expression hardening. "This isn't about personal relationships, Miss Brown. This is about your behavior. I spoke with several witnesses-students and staff who confirmed what I heard. You physically assaulted Miss Swift during a school outing, jeopardizing her safety and the reputation of this institution. That is unacceptable under any circumstances."
Sophia's mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
For the first time, her confidence seemed to falter.
Mr. Parker continued, his voice steady. "You've crossed a line, and I have no choice but to terminate your employment, effective immediately."

The words hung in the air, heavy and final. My breath hitched, and I couldn't help the wave of relief that washed over me.
Sophia shot to her feet, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.
"You can't be serious," she hissed.
"After everything l've done for this school, you're siding with her?" She jabbed a finger in my direction, her voice dripping with venom.
"I'm siding with what's right," Mr.
Parker replied firmly. "And if you continue to act in this manner, I'll have no problem ensuring this incident is reported to the proper authorities. Now, I suggest you leave before you make this any worse for yourself."

Sophia's face flushed red with fury. For a moment, I thought she might argue further, but then she grabbed her bag and stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Mr. Parker sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Miss Swift, Mr. Kelce," he said, his tone softer now. "I want to apologize for what you've both been through.
This situation should never have escalated the way it did."
"Thank you," I said quietly, my voice trembling slightly. "I appreciate your support."

Mr. Parker nodded. "Of course." he smiled
I nodded, grateful, and rose from my seat. Travis stood as well, his hand resting lightly on my lower back as we walked toward the door.
Before we left, Mr. Parker added,
"And for what it's worth, I think this school is lucky to have both of you. Don't let this incident discourage you."
I turned back to him, offering a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Mr. Parker. That means a lot."

As we stepped out into the hallway, I exhaled a breath I hadn't realized l'd been holding. Travis was silent beside me, his expression unreadable.
"You okay?" he asked finally, his voice soft.
I nodded. "yeah."
But as we walked away from the director's office, a thought lingered in the back of my mind:
Sophia might be gone, but her words the way she had tried to weaponize my relationship with Travis still hung heavy in the air.
And I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the last time we'd have to face her bitterness.

__________________

She's gone we can celebrate 🎉
see u next chapter 🔜