Taylor had been working a lot again, but she felt after her time off she needed to catch up on everything. Everyone welcomed her back and she settled back into a good work routine. Although nobody expected anything of her, she felt as though she needed to 'prove' herself – to prove that she still had it within her.
One week, Taylor had an industry dinner to attend and the nerves had started to build up again. She was anxious to be surrounded by everyone and be back under the high levels of scrutiny but she also know this was a big night for her.
As she sat there, she tried her best to be normal – to engage in conversation and be the 'bubbly pop star' they all thought she was.
Inside, she felt like she was dying – she was an anxious mess. She couldn't eat – not with everyone there, watching her but she also didn't want to draw attention to herself by refusing to eat so she forced down a few bites of the meal in front of her. She had a glass of champagne to try and calm the nerves but she felt it instantly going to her head so she stopped. She decided to take a few minutes in the bathroom – to try and calm herself down.
When she was inside and the door was locked, she began to hyperventilate – the panic building up in her.
Before she could stop herself, she leant over the toilet – retching as her food came back up. She splashed water on her face and stared at herself in the mirror for a few seconds. When she finally had her breathing under control, she stepped back outside – ready to face everyone. She made it through the rest of the night with forced smiles and faked niceties.
The next morning, Tree had to field some very interesting questions regarding Taylor's behaviour. A source had contacted her, informing her they had received some information that Taylor did not eat her meal and then was purging in the bathrooms.
Tree rebutted the claims and offered them an exclusive interview if they didn't run the story which they agreed to do but the redhead knew she couldn't ignore this.
She rung Taylor but she didn't pick up so she sent a quick text, urging her to contact her. A couple of minutes later – Taylor rung back "Hey Tree, all ok?"
Tree kept her voice deliberately light "yeah – how was the dinner last night?"
Taylor paused for a second "erm, yeah – fine I think. Everyone seemed happy, I think it went as well as we could have expected..."
Tree hummed "and the food?"
Taylor hesitated, sensing there was more to this conversation "yep, good – same as normal really..."
Tree sighed, knowing she wasn't going to get the truth "Tay. I had a phone call. Somebody on your table leaked to the press that you didn't eat your meal and you vomited what you did eat...I had to promise an interview to stop them running the story. What's going on?"
Taylor scoffed loudly – "what?! That's ridiculous...they know my history, they're obviously just trying to make some cash off me. Can we find out who it was?"
Tree sighed loudly "Tay..."
Taylor practically growled this time "Tree, it wasn't true. It's just lies, You know this industry!"
The discussion went on for the next 5 minutes before Taylor hung up – frustrated that Tree didn't believe her but mostly panicked that her secret was out.
A few hours later, Tree arrived at Taylor's house. The blonde frowned as she saw that Tree was carrying food with her. She was about to protest when Tree challenged her "If it's not a problem, then prove it..."
Taylor scoffed again "I don't need to!"
Tree stepped forward, narrowing her eyes "Taylor, prove it"
Taylor stepped back, her voice wobbling as she spoke "you're not in charge of me!"
