unfinished echoes - taylor swift

09

The night air was cool against Daisy's skin as she slipped through the back entrance of the stadium, guided by Taylor's security team. She felt the pulse of the music even before she entered, the deep bassline of I Knew You Were Trouble reverberating through the walls, sending shivers down her spine.

She glanced down at herself, smoothing the fabric of her green sundress, feeling both over- and underdressed for the moment. The dress had been an impulsive choice-too casual for such a grand venue, too vibrant to blend into the background. But now, with every step closer to the VIP tent, it felt like a glaring beacon, drawing attention to her in ways she wasn't ready for.

When they emerged into the open air of the stadium, the roar of the crowd was deafening. Daisy's presence didn't go unnoticed. Fans screamed at the sight of her, their faces lighting up in a mix of shock and excitement. Phones shot up, flashes illuminating the night as people began snapping photos, their screams escalating into chaos.

"Daisy! Daisy Cox is here!" someone yelled from the crowd, and the frenzy intensified.

She took a steadying breath, her fingers tightening around the strap of her small bag as the security guards ushered her forward. The rumors, the history-everything she and Taylor had worked so hard to bury-seemed to ripple through the crowd like an electric current.

It didn't matter. She was here.

The VIP tent was quieter, though not by much. Taylor's parents, Andrea and Scott, were seated near the back, chatting with Austin. Andrea was the first to notice Daisy's arrival, her face breaking into a warm, surprised smile.

"Daisy, you made it!" Andrea said, rising to greet her.

"Mrs. Swift," Daisy said, offering a polite smile, her voice softer than usual. She felt out of place, an intruder in this sacred family space.

"Please, call me Andrea," Taylor's mom said warmly, pulling her into a light hug. Scott and Austin offered quick nods of acknowledgment, their smiles friendly but restrained.

Daisy exchanged pleasantries, her heart pounding with every cheer from the crowd outside, every flicker of Taylor's voice echoing through the tent.

The moment Taylor noticed her wasn't obvious. Daisy had just finished trading friendship bracelets with a group of young fans who had shyly approached her, their eyes wide with excitement. She didn't want to draw too much attention, but how could she say no to their enthusiasm?

As she slipped one last bracelet onto her wrist, she felt it-an almost imperceptible shift. Her eyes flicked toward the stage, and there Taylor was, standing mid-verse, her gaze locked on the VIP tent for a split second too long.

Daisy's breath hitched, her body tensing. Taylor's expression didn't change, her professionalism unshakable, but Daisy caught the faintest flicker of recognition, of surprise, as she turned back to the crowd and finished the song.

It wasn't until the acoustic set began that the tension truly reached its peak.

Taylor sat at the piano, her silhouette framed by soft, golden lights. Her voice was steady, calm as she began to speak. "I love this part of the show because it lets me share a little more of myself with all of you," she said, her voice carrying a quiet intimacy that silenced the stadium.

As she spoke, her eyes drifted again, just for a heartbeat, toward the VIP tent. Daisy shifted in her seat, her chest tightening. She felt exposed, as though the thousands of fans around them could see through her carefully composed mask.

"This next song," Taylor said, her fingers brushing over the keys, "is about love. The kind that stays with you, even when you don't expect it to."

The opening notes of You Are in Love filled the air, soft and haunting. Daisy's throat tightened as the words wrapped around her, tender and deliberate.