In the Blink of an Eye

Chapter Five

December 12, 2024

Taylor actually managed to drift off last night, which was a bit strange since she was next to Travis. It felt like she was betraying Joe, and that thought weighed heavily on her.

When she finally opened her eyes, she found Travis's arm wrapped around her snugly. It gave her a mix of excitement and nausea all at once.

Travis was still sound asleep, so she took a moment to take in his features—his tousled hair and the gentle rise and fall of his chest.

She tried to shake off the anxious thoughts swirling in her mind. It was becoming clear that this wasn't just a random mistake.

She found herself thinking about time travel. Even though she didn't fully grasp it, she figured that's what this situation felt like. It seemed wild, but without some sort of explanation, she knew she'd start to lose it.

Taylor replayed what Travis had said yesterday, the way he described how they first met.

She hated that she couldn't remember it herself. But the way he talked about her sparked something strange and unfamiliar deep inside her.

Taylor noticed Travis moving next to her, and she inhaled deeply to steady her racing heart.

His hold on her grew firmer as he planted a drowsy kiss on her neck. "Morning, baby," he murmured, his voice low and sleepy, showering her neck with soft kisses.

She froze, unsure how to respond or even move. What else could she do?

"You know you can talk to me, Tay. You always do. What's going on?" Travis asked softly, his voice laced with concern.

She sighed, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm just tired, that's all." Taylor didn't want him to worry about her. If he found out what was really going on, how could she even explain it?

"Are you sure?" Travis pressed, resting his head against her shoulder. A wave of anxiety swept over her, making it hard to breathe.

"Is it because the tour's over?" he asked gently. "It was such a big part of your life for nearly two years. I get it if you're feeling down, but I need you to talk to me."

She stayed silent, unable to connect with the tour he mentioned. It felt like it had happened in another lifetime, like it wasn't even hers.

"I'm fine," she insisted, and he let out a soft breath. She felt a twinge of guilt. Travis looked so concerned, and she was at a loss for how to respond.

As the day went on, Taylor remained just as quiet as she had been the day before. Even when she tried to speak up, she worried she'd say the wrong thing and he'd see right through her, uncovering what was really bothering her.

Deep down, Taylor was starting to accept the idea that nothing might change. But that didn't stop her from wishing. She longed for the hope of waking up in Joe's arms again, even if that dream was beginning to feel impossible.

Left alone for a while, she wandered aimlessly until her eyes landed on the desk in the corner of the bedroom. Something about the journal resting on it caught her attention.

She picked it up and flipped it open, surprised to see her name scrawled across the first page. It was hers.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she turned to the first entry and began to read, her own handwriting staring back at her.

"And in the blink of a crinklin' eye
I'm sinkin', our fingers entwined
Cheeks pink in the twinklin' lights
Tell me 'bout the first time you saw me"

It felt like she was reading someone else's diary. The pages were filled with lyrics she didn't remember writing.

They were sweet—cheesy, even—and something about them tugged at her heart. But the love they described felt like a stranger to her, so different from what she'd known.

She thought about Joe and how deeply she loved him, always believing they'd end up married. But when she compared her feelings for Joe to the words on the page, this felt like something more.

She started doubting her own writing. It seemed too flawless. Hadn't she ever worried he'd leave? Did she not feel the anxiety that usually consumed her? Her life was chaotic, and with Joe, she always thought it was better to keep things private. Wasn't it?

She was caught between two worlds, torn between the love she had poured into these pages and the lingering attachment to Joe. The lyrics offered a version of love she barley recognized, and it made her question everything she thought she knew.