dancing into her world / Taylor Swift

Chapter 5: After Hours

Rehearsals the next day were even more demanding than the first. The dancers worked through routines for Blank Space and The Archer, each piece requiring precise timing and emotional depth. Tyce pushed them relentlessly, refining every movement until the room was filled with the synchronized sound of sneakers squeaking on polished wood.

By the time Tyce finally called it a day, the dancers looked ready to collapse. Amira's legs felt like lead, her shoulders aching from the intense lifts and transitions. As she grabbed her water bottle and slumped onto a bench, she overheard a few of her fellow dancers making plans for dinner.

"Want to join us?" one of them, a bubbly girl named Kira, asked.

Amira hesitated. She liked Kira, but her exhaustion left little room for small talk and socializing. "Thanks, but I think I'm going to call it a night," she replied with a tired smile.

Kira nodded in understanding. "No problem. Rest up—you killed it today!"

Amira returned the smile, then slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out. The late evening air was crisp as she stepped onto the street, the city alive with the hum of traffic and distant music.

Back at her apartment, Amira kicked off her shoes and sank into the couch, letting out a deep sigh. She hadn't planned to stay up late, but the adrenaline from the day made it impossible to settle down. After a quick shower, she found herself scrolling through social media, her feed filled with posts from the other dancers.

Just as she was about to put her phone down, a message popped up on her screen:

Taylor Swift: Hey, Amira. Are you free for a quick chat?

Amira blinked at the screen, her heart skipping a beat. She double-checked the profile to make sure it was real, but there was no mistaking the blue checkmark and Taylor's unmistakable profile photo.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she typed back:
Hi, Taylor. Sure, what's up?

Taylor's response was almost immediate.
I was thinking about your freestyle from the audition. Do you have time to work on something with me tomorrow? Just the two of us.

Amira's pulse quickened.
Of course. What time?

Taylor replied with a smiley emoji.
Let's say 7 p.m. at the studio. It's not an official rehearsal, just something I want to try out. Thanks, Amira!

Amira stared at the screen for a moment, her mind racing. She typed back a quick Sounds good. See you then! before setting her phone down and leaning back into the couch.

What could Taylor possibly want to work on with her?

The next evening, Amira arrived at the studio fifteen minutes early. The space was empty except for a single light illuminating the floor. She stretched in silence, her nerves buzzing as she waited.

When the door finally opened, Taylor stepped in, wearing leggings and a sweatshirt, her hair in a loose braid. She carried a notebook and a portable speaker.

"Hey," Taylor greeted with a warm smile. "Thanks for coming."

"Of course," Amira replied, standing and trying to keep her nerves under control.

Taylor set her things down and adjusted the speaker. "So, I've been working on a new arrangement for All Too Well, and I want to add some choreography to the performance. Your freestyle really stuck with me, and I thought you might be the perfect person to help bring this idea to life."

Amira's mouth went dry. "Me?"

Taylor nodded. "You bring something unique to your dancing. It's not just technical—it feels real. That's what this song needs."

Amira was stunned. She wasn't sure how to respond, so she simply nodded.

"Great," Taylor said, smiling. "Let's start by listening to the track. Then you can tell me what you feel."

The song began, a stripped-down version of All Too Well (10 Minute Version). The haunting piano and Taylor's raw vocals filled the room, the emotion in the music tugging at Amira's chest.

She closed her eyes, letting the melody wash over her. Her body responded instinctively, her movements soft and deliberate. She reached into the space around her, spinning and twisting as if she were trying to grasp the memories Taylor sang about.

When the track ended, Amira stopped, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath.

Taylor clapped softly. "That was beautiful," she said, her voice tinged with awe. "You captured exactly what I was hoping for."

Amira's cheeks flushed. "Thank you. The song is... powerful. It's easy to connect to."

Taylor stepped closer, her expression thoughtful. "Can we try adding a duet element? I want this to feel like a conversation—like two people remembering something they've lost."

Amira nodded, her nerves giving way to focus. Together, they began to experiment, Taylor mirroring Amira's movements and suggesting small adjustments.

At first, the duet was tentative, their steps slightly out of sync. But as they worked, their connection deepened. Taylor's movements became more confident, and Amira found herself anticipating her partner's shifts without needing to think.

Hours passed without them realizing it. By the time they finally stopped, the clock read 10:30 p.m.

Taylor sank onto the floor, laughing softly. "I can't believe how much we got done. You're incredible, Amira."

Amira sat beside her, her heart still racing from the dance—and from the way Taylor was looking at her. "You're not so bad yourself," she joked, her accent making Taylor smile.

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the evening settling around them.

"Thank you for trusting me with this," Amira said softly.

Taylor turned to her, her gaze steady. "It's easy to trust you, Amira."

The words hung in the air, their meaning unclear but electric.

As they gathered their things and headed out into the cool night air, Amira couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them.

Something she wasn't sure she could put into words yet.