2 - ...And Another Door Opens

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I wake up to the blaring of my phone alarm. God, it was a long night. I probably hadn't gone to bed until 2am, and now it's 8am, which isn't a lot of sleep for me, surprisingly. 

"Turn the alarm off!!" Austin yells from the room over, and I roll my eyes and silence my phone. "You should be up to say goodbye to me anyways!!" I call back, but he ignores me. My flight leaves at 10, so I have just enough time to hop in the shower and prepare for the day. I slowly make my way out of my childhood bed, finding it harder to leave every time I visit. I take my hair out of the braid I slept in last night and pad quietly down the hall and into the bathroom. 

The steam of the hot water fills the bathroom and I climb into the shower and try not to slip, knowing how clumsy I am. The hot water falls from down my back and to my feet, taking my stress along with it. Showers always had that magic to me, the ability to calm me down when I need it the most. Something about the hot water and being undisturbed really put an easiness over me. 


Once I finish in the shower, I brush my wet blonde hair out of my face, and cover myself with a robe as I walk back to my room. The smell of bacon and sausages fills my nose as I walk down the hall and I hear my Mom and Dad chit chatting back and forth on the floor below. 

I quickly slip into a gray crop top and navy green high waisted shorts. I take my still wet hair and blow dry it out a bit, trying to get some of it's texture back. I put on minimal makeup and pack the rest of my things before deciding to head downstairs. 

I take one last glimpse of my childhood bedroom, which is now partly acting as an office, but I still take time to appreciate it and the memories that filled this room. It may not be the last time I see it, but it will definitely be a while. Like I said, I don't get down to Nashville as much as I would like. 

I carry my suitcase down the stairs and place it by the front door, ready to leave with me. "Taylor, get over here," my mom insists, coming towards me with her arms extended. "I'm gonna miss my baby," she says softly, rubbing my back as we embrace. "I'll miss you too mom, but you can come visit whenever," I giggle and she scoffs, pulling away from me. "You can come visit too missy, you're just too big and busy for us now," she says and I roll my eyes, smiling at her. "I'll miss you mom." My Dad comes towards me next, Austin following behind him. "I'll miss you a whole bunch pumpkin." He wraps his large arms around me, squeezing me as tight as he can. "Ah, okay Dad, ow," I moan and he laughs, letting go of me. "Be good baby. Call us," he says, and I nod. "Austin..!!" I say, extending my arms out to him, but he rolls his eyes and smiles sheepishly. I run at him and embrace him as hard as I can. "I know you'll miss me, don't even lie," I say as I hug him and he chuckles. "Maybe just a little."

The Lincoln pulls up out front. "That's my ride," I say, grabbing my suitcase. "Have a safe flight sweetie! Call when you land," my mother says and I nod, waving goodbye one last time before I walk out the door.


_______________________________


I sit on the jet and look out at Los Angeles below as I land. It's so beautiful, a city that's home to so many peoples dreams.

The landings smooth as always, and the crew open the plane door and prepare the ramp for my exiting. "Thank you again," I wave to them as I exit the plane, heading right towards the Lincoln that's waiting for me on the side of the runway. 


I jiggle the keys in the lock of my black door in Beverly Hills before the door opens willingly. "Ah, there we go," I mumble to myself, and my driver follows me inside, placing my luggage in the entryway. "Thank you so much, you didn't have to do that," I smile nicely and he nods, exiting the house. Once the door shuts behind him I take a deep breath, taking in the home that I haven't had the time to reside in for the many months of the RED tour. God, I missed it here. 

I make a right at the entryway and enter my music room, the grand piano taking presidency of the fairly smaller room, but it makes me feel safe and cozy. I take a seat at the piano, running my fingers down the keys before I position my fingers at an E minor, starting to key the hook of 'I Know Places,' one of my newest songs i've just written. I take a deep breath before I continue. 

"They got the cages, they got the boxes, my love. 

They are the hunters and we are the foxes

AND WE RUN

baby, I know places we won't be found and they'll be

 chasing their tails trying to track us down cause I--- know places we can hide." 

My voice fills the silence of the home, like i'm breaking it in again. I continue playing until I finish the song, feeling so good that i'm able to sing so raw with nobody listening but my own ears, something that doesn't happen often on tour. 


I walk back into the entryway and pick up my luggage, carrying it into the master bedroom before plopping it on the bed. 

After unpacking everything, feeding the cats and putting in a few loads of laundry I grab my phone, reading some of the new notifications. 

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Harry Styles: Just checking in !! Wondering how your travel home was, and when I get to see you? 

I smile, replying to Harry as soon as I see the message.

Me: Thank you for your concern!! I just got home about an hour ago and i've just finished kind of getting re-settled in. Whens the soonest you can meet up??

Harry answers almost instantly.

Harry Styles: Tonight?? 

Me: Sure!! My place at 6??

Harry Styles: See you then xx


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