When Worlds Collide

Hand in hand

The moment I stepped off the stage, my heart was still pounding in my chest, the echoes of the applause ringing in my ears. The adrenaline coursing through my veins made me feel light, almost weightless, as I made my way backstage, my golden bodysuit shimmering under the dimmer lighting. My breath came in quick, exhilarated bursts, and I could still feel the vibrations of the performance in my bones.

The students were already waiting for me, their faces beaming with excitement and pride. Tory was the first to speak, her eyes sparkling as she bounced on the balls of her feet. "Miss Swift, that was incredible! I can't believe we got to be a part of that."

"You guys were amazing," I said, pulling her into a quick hug before turning to the rest of them. "I couldn't have asked for a better performance. You made that moment so special."

Leo smirked, his usual confidence evident. "You made it special, Miss Swift. We just followed your lead."

James handed me a bottle of water, and I took a sip, feeling the coolness soothe my throat. "Team effort, guys. Always."

A crew member approached, reminding me we had a short break before heading back to our seats. As much as I loved the rush of being on stage, I was grateful for a moment to breathe. With their help, I quickly changed out of the bodysuit, slipping into my dress again. The silky fabric draped beautifully, and I took a second to adjust the dress in front of the mirror. My cheeks were still flushed, my eyes bright with the residual energy of the performance.

"Alright, team," I said, turning back to the students. "Let's get back to our seats before we miss anything."

As we re-entered the main room, the electric atmosphere was still buzzing. Laughter, conversation, and the occasional burst of applause filled the space. The chandeliers cast a golden glow over the tables, making everything feel almost dreamlike. I barely had time to take it all in before I noticed Trevor Noah weaving between the tables, microphone in hand, seamlessly keeping the energy alive.

He spotted me almost immediately and changed course. "Oh hey, Taylor Swift!" His voice rang out through the speakers, causing a ripple of laughter in the crowd.

I smiled warmly. "Oh hi!"

Trevor grinned. "That performance was absolutely breathtaking. And congratulations on your Grammy!" He gestured toward the students trailing behind me. "Also, I have to ask, where are you all going?"

I chuckled, glancing back at my students before returning my gaze to him. "We're just heading back to our table."

"Ah, I see, I see." He nodded, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, I won't keep you, but wow, what a squad."

With that, he transitioned smoothly back into his hosting duties, allowing us to continue. As we approached our table, I barely had a moment to react before Travis reached out, grabbed my hand, and in one swift movement, pulled me onto his lap.

"You were unbelievable," he murmured against my temple before kissing my cheek, then my jaw, then my forehead wherever he could reach. His warmth, his presence, made my entire body relax instantly.

I giggled, wrapping my arms around his neck. "You really think so?"

He pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, his eyes filled with pure adoration. "I know so. And I am so damn proud of you."

Selena, Jack, and the others echoed his sentiments, their words filled with nothing but love and pride. The students received their well-earned praise too, their faces lighting up with every compliment. It was a moment of shared celebration, a bubble of joy that felt almost surreal.

Trevor, ever the comedian, found his way back to us after another segment. "Did you all miss me?" he quipped, leaning in with a grin. "Because I definitely just realized that this might be the most stacked table at the Grammys. How did I not notice this earlier?"

Laughter erupted around us, and Trevor took full advantage. He turned to Travis, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Now, I have a question for this very handsome gentleman sitting next to Taylor."

Travis smirked. "Hit me with it."

"How does it feel to be teaching a class alongside Taylor Swift? I mean, come on, that has to be a surreal experience."

Travis chuckled, his hand settling possessively on my thigh, his thumb absentmindedly stroking circles over the fabric of my dress. "You know, it's pretty amazing. She's an incredible teacher, and the way she connects with the students it's really special. I get to see firsthand how much she genuinely cares about them. It's inspiring."

I felt my cheeks warm as he glanced at me, his expression softening. "And some of these students, like Tory over there," he nodded towards her, "have really become important to her. She's got such a big heart."

The crowd let out another collective "aww," and I playfully nudged him. "Now you're just trying to make me blush."

He smirked. "It's working, isn't it?"

The night continued, more awards being handed out, performances captivating the audience. I found myself standing, clapping, and singing along, sometimes with Travis, sometimes with Selena. The energy was infectious, and I let myself soak in every second of it.

As the evening wore on, the champagne slowly took its toll. I felt warm, giddy, and increasingly affectionate. I leaned into Travis more, my fingers tracing idle patterns on his arm as he kept his hand on my knee.

At one point, he leaned in, his breath tickling my ear. "You're getting clingy."

I hummed, resting my head against his shoulder. "Mmm. Don't mind me. Just enjoying my favorite human."

He chuckled, pressing a kiss to my hair. "You're something else, you know that?"

"You love it."

"Damn right, I do."

As the ceremony wound down, Travis tilted his head, his fingers brushing my jaw. "Do you wanna hit up an afterparty, or are you about ready to call it a night?"

I sighed contentedly, my arms wrapped around his, my cheek pressed against his shoulder. "Mmm, let's just go home. I kinda just want to be with you."

He smiled, his thumb stroking my knee. "Sounds perfect."

We turned to the students, who were deep in conversation about the afterparties. "Alright, guys," I said, "we're heading out. Do any of you need a ride, or are you all good?"

They exchanged looks before Tory shook her head. "We're all going to the afterparty. But thank you, Miss Swift!"

I grinned. "Alright, have fun! Be safe!"

We hugged them all before slipping away. Outside, the cool night air was a stark contrast to the warmth of the venue. The city lights glittered as we climbed into the car, the quiet hum of the engine a welcome change from the roaring crowd inside.

Travis pulled me closer, tucking me into his side. "You okay?"

I nodded, sighing softly. "Just really happy."

He kissed my temple. "Me too."

As we drove through the city streets, away from the glitz and chaos of the night, I realized that this being wrapped up in his arms, feeling this overwhelming sense of love and contentment was the real win of the night.