Chapter 12 : Valentine's Day

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The snow had barely melted, leaving a crisp, chilly air outside the Swift house. Valentine's Day was approaching, and Taylor couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and curiosity. Travis had been unusually secretive, whispering with Andrea and even Austin at times. Whatever he was planning, Taylor had no idea, but her anticipation grew with each passing day.

On the morning of February 14th, Taylor woke to a soft knock on her bedroom door. She opened it to find a small envelope taped to the doorframe, her name written in Travis's unmistakable handwriting. Inside was a simple note: 

*"Be ready at 7 PM. Wear something nice, but don't overthink it. 
P.S. Happy Valentine's Day, Tay."*

Taylor smiled, her heart fluttering. Travis wasn't typically one for elaborate gestures, so the mystery surrounding his plans only made the day more thrilling. 

--- 

By evening, Taylor stood in front of her mirror, wearing a deep red dress that flowed just above her knees. She let her hair fall in soft waves, applying a touch of makeup before checking the clock. It was exactly 7 PM when she heard the rumble of a familiar truck pulling up outside. 

She rushed to the door, where Travis was waiting with a wide grin. He wore a tailored blazer over a crisp white shirt, paired with dark jeans that kept the look effortlessly him. In his hands was a single red rose. 

"For you," he said, handing her the flower with a wink. 

Taylor giggled. "You clean up nice, Kelce." 

"And you're stunning, as always," he replied, offering his arm. 

--- 

Travis drove them to a secluded spot on the outskirts of town. Taylor's curiosity peaked when she saw soft lights twinkling in the distance. As they approached, she realized it was a small outdoor setup: a cozy firepit surrounded by lanterns, blankets, and pillows. A small table stood to the side, adorned with candles and a simple but elegant dinner spread. 

"Did you do all this?" Taylor asked, her voice full of wonder. 

"Well, I had a little help," Travis admitted, scratching the back of his neck. "Your mom and Austin were in on it, but the idea was mine." 

Taylor's eyes sparkled as she took in the scene. It was intimate and thoughtful—so perfectly them. 

They spent the evening under the stars, eating, laughing, and reminiscing about their childhood adventures. Travis had even prepared a playlist of Taylor's favorite songs, which played softly in the background. 

As the night went on, Travis pulled Taylor closer, wrapping a blanket around them as they sat by the fire. 

"Taylor," he began, his voice steady but full of emotion, "I know things have been a little overwhelming lately—with graduation coming up and the uncertainty about the future. But tonight, I just wanted to focus on us. To remind you how much you mean to me." 

Taylor looked up at him, her heart swelling with emotion. "You don't have to remind me, Travis. I know. I've always known." 

He smiled, leaning down to kiss her gently. The world around them faded, leaving only the warmth of the fire and the beating of their hearts. 

That night, as they lay under the stars, wrapped in each other's arms, Taylor realized something important: no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. Their love, built on years of friendship and trust, was strong enough to weather anything. 

It was a Valentine's Day neither of them would ever forget.

The soft February sun peeked through Taylor's curtains as she stretched lazily in bed. She rolled over to check her phone, hoping for a message from Travis. Even though they went to different high schools, they always made time for each other—especially on days like today. 

Sure enough, there it was: 

*"Good morning, beautiful. Wish I could see you today, but I've got something planned for tonight. Don't be late. ;) Travis."* 

Taylor smiled to herself. Even from a distance, Travis had a way of making her feel like the most important person in the world. 

At 7 PM sharp, a knock at the door pulled Taylor from her last-minute touch-ups. She opened it to find her mom holding a small, carefully wrapped package. 

"It's from Travis," Andrea said with a knowing smile, handing it to her daughter. 

Taylor tore open the wrapping to find a map inside, along with another note: 

*"Follow this, Tay. Don't worry—it's safe. I'll see you soon."* 

Intrigued, Taylor grabbed her coat and followed the map, which led her to a park halfway between their two schools. The chilly evening air nipped at her cheeks as she arrived at the meeting spot—a gazebo strung with twinkling fairy lights. 

Inside, Travis stood waiting, a soft smile on his face. 

"You found it," he said, stepping forward to wrap her in a warm hug. 

"You didn't make it too hard," Taylor teased. 

In the gazebo, a small picnic was set up with her favorite snacks, a thermos of hot chocolate, and a blanket to ward off the cold. 

"You really didn't have to do all this," Taylor said, her voice tinged with emotion. 

"I wanted to," Travis replied, his tone earnest. "Just because we're not at the same school doesn't mean we can't make this day special. You deserve it." 

They sat together under the soft glow of the fairy lights, sipping hot chocolate and talking about everything and nothing. Travis told her about his school's chaotic Valentine's Day dance preparations, while Taylor shared stories of the silly things her classmates had done in the spirit of the day. 

As the conversation slowed, Travis reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, heart-shaped charm on a delicate silver chain. 

"For you," he said, his cheeks slightly flushed. "I thought it could be a little reminder that no matter where we are, you're always in my heart." 

Taylor's breath hitched as he fastened the necklace around her neck. She looked down at the charm, then back at him, her eyes shining. 

"It's perfect," she whispered. "Thank you, Travis." 

"You're worth it, Tay," he said simply, pulling her close. 

As the night wore on, they lay side by side on the blanket, looking up at the stars. Taylor rested her head on Travis's shoulder, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing. 

"Do you ever think about the future?" Taylor asked softly. 

"Every day," Travis admitted. "And you're always part of it." 

She smiled, her heart swelling with a mixture of love and hope. 

"I feel the same," she said, intertwining her fingers with his. 

In that moment, the distance between their schools felt insignificant. What mattered was the bond they shared—a love built on trust, thoughtfulness, and a deep understanding of each other. 

Valentine's Day wasn't just a holiday for them; it was a promise that no matter where life took them, they would find a way to make it work. 

The end is coming...

But do you want another book for their story ?

Sunsets and Second chances (a short Tayvis Story) Where stories live. Discover now