Taylor Swift- My Best Friend

Chapter 20- Stressed

(A/N sorry this took so long! tbh I forgot about this story but thank you to anyone who has stuck around!)

Taylor's P.O.V

Well, it was go time! I wasn't nervous, but I could tell Jess was. I've done this a thousand times but Jess hadn't. In fact, I don't think she's ever performed in front of a large crowd before, how could I even calm her down?

After we had thrown our stuff in the back of my car, I shut the trunk and got into the drivers seat as Jess mirrored my movement and got into the passenger side.

I shoved my keys in the engine and heard the car roar to life, I looked over and saw that Jess had jumped a bit at the noise.

"What? Never been in a car before?" I teased.

"Just nervous, alright?" She said in a monotone voice. I sighed, she was obviously stressed and my awkward sense of humor wasn't helping.

I turned on the radio and pulled out of the street, heading over to Jess' school to get ready and practice for the big performance soon. The song "Cruise" by Flordia Georgia Line was on and I couldn't help but crank it up and start singing along. This was one of my favorite "Feel good" songs so I immediatley started singing and dancing as much as I could in my seat, I looked over to Jess who had her arms crossed at her chest and her head resting against the window.

I sighed and pulled into the schools parking lot, pulling in to a spot close to the front entrance. For as you could see there were bands, solo artists, and anything you could imagine. I must've counted fifty guitars in the first five minutes of being here. Once I parked, I undid my seat buckle and turned off the engine. I patted Jess' knee and smiled at her,

"Come on, Jess. Stop looking so glum and get up! I'm going to be with you the whole time."

She pushed my hand away, and got out of the passenger seat, slamming the door behind her. I sighed and pushed a blonde curl out of the way before getting out myself. Jess had already gone into the school so that left me with all the instruments. Great...

But I did take the time alone as an advantage. I grabbed my phone and dialed Selena's number once more It rang about four times before she finally answered.

"Hey, Tay! You excited?"

"I am, but Jess... not so much."

"What's wrong with her?" She asked.

"No clue, seems pretty upset but she was fine just before we left. But maybe she'll cheer up soon. Do you and Bieber know how to get here?" I asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Yup! We should be good. Justin, Demi and I should all be here within an hour. See ya then Tay!"

I clicked end on my phone and slid it into the pocket on my dress before grabbing out our guitars ad the rest of the instruments, hoping things would get better.

Jess' P.O.V

I don't know why, but everytime Taylor did or said something it got on my nerves. She was acting like this whole thing was no big deal, when she basically forced me to do it even when I said I was uncomfortable and didn't want to.

At this point, I wasn't viewing her as a super star anymore, I was viewing her as one of my close friends, and this isn't something you do to a close friend; push them.

I sighed and ran my hands through my unnaturally straight brunette locks and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I could never perform in front of crowds, especially familiar faces that have been bullying me for years.  Despite the fact the girl that would be sitting next to me is an international superstar, that doesn't take any of the pressure off, in fact, it makes it worse.

I saw Taylor coming through the door, struggling to carry everything as she was trying to text at the same time. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my guitar from her hand,

"I already signed us in," I said staring blankly up at her. "We practice in the gym and perform in the theater." I added before turning on my heals to head into the gym.

But before I could make it, she seized my wrist and turned me back around,

"What's going on with you? You were fine this morning and ever since we got into the car you've been acting really weird and it's bothering me that you're upset. Tell me what's wrong." She said with an exhale at the end.

"I don't want to be here. I don't want to be singing or playing guitar or performing in front of all these kids for a damn talent show. Do you realize even if we're good they will still make fun of me Monday morning? It doesn't even matter, Taylor. I appreciate everything you've tried to do to help me but it doesn't matter. I don't matter." I said firmly. Dropping my guitar on the ground and walking away.

I couldn't bear to see the look on her face.