bed chem | drew starkey

CHAPTER 29

RECAP ERAS TOUR

MID FEBRUARY - MID MARCH 2024

Melbourne

Aurora had always dreamed of this moment, but nothing could have prepared her for the overwhelming reality of stepping onto Taylor Swift's stage. The weight of it hit her all at once as she stood backstage in Melbourne, heart pounding, fingers gripping the microphone so tightly she thought it might crack under the pressure.

Mia was right in front of her, practically bouncing on her heels, her hands clutching Aurora's. "Rory. Rory. You're about to perform for ninety-six thousand people."

Aurora let out a sharp breath, shaking her head. "Yeah, no pressure or anything."

Mia grinned. "You're gonna kill it. You were made for this."

Aurora swallowed down the nerves, glancing past Mia where Drew was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching her. He had flown in two days ago, and just like he said, he hadn't left her side. He caught her gaze and gave her a little nod, mouthing, You got this.

And somehow, that was what steadied her.

The lights dimmed, the crowd's screaming intensified, and the first notes of End of the World  started playing through the stadium speakers. That was her cue.

Aurora took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage.

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The moment she stepped into the spotlight, the energy in the stadium shifted. It was electric.

She could hear the cheers, see the flashing lights, feel the bass reverberating through her chest. And then she started singing.

By the time she got to That's So True, she barely even needed to sing—the crowd was shouting every lyric back at her. She let them take over for the chorus, stepping back and holding the mic out, watching in amazement as 96,000 people screamed her words into the night.

Aurora laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Okay, you guys are insane, but I love you for it."

Then came the song she had debated putting on the setlist—So High School.

The intro played, and the stadium erupted.

Aurora could already see signs waving in the air—some with lyrics, some with inside jokes, and at least five with Joe Burrow's name crossed out.

She snorted mid-verse, unable to help herself.

Backstage, Mia was absolutely losing her mind, cackling as she held up her phone to record Aurora's reaction.

When the set ended and she practically ran off stage, Drew was the first one waiting for her.

He handed her a bottle of water with a proud grin. "You destroyed that."

Aurora took a long sip before answering breathlessly, "I know, right?"

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Sydney

just as wild, just as overwhelming. But in between the chaos, Taylor had surprised her with something unexpected—an entire day at the Sydney Zoo.

Aurora had blinked at her in shock when she first mentioned it. "Wait. You planned this?"

Taylor, sunglasses perched on her nose, shrugged. "I figured we could use a break."