Calming the storm {Kaylor}

Chapter 11: Why she disappeared

When she fell, she fell apart

Cracked her bones on the pavement she once decorated

as a child with sidewalk chalk

When she crashed, her clothes disintegrated and blew away

with the winds that took all of her fair-weather friends

[Why she disappeared - Taylor Swift, poem]

Karlie woke up with a pounding headache and sick to her stomach. It was as if she'd had a big night out and was now feeling the consequences. But, she'd been sober, there had been no night out or clubbing. She was simply feeling the hangover from seeing Taylor yesterday.

Nothing had gone according to plan. What had the possibility of much more, after the intense moments she and Taylor had shared, now they were not talking at all. And apart from their personal misery, Karlie had also been unable to fully explain the situation with Scott and Scooter trying to take the singer down.

Without that explanation, Taylor didn't have the means to stop Borchetta and Braun from releasing their mass media attack. And with opening her phone, Karlie saw that she herself had been too late as well. She read of the headlines, some even more vile than others.

"Swift admits Huddlestone romance was just for show - according to close friend"

"Swift acknowledges to private source that she has struggled with disordered eating"

"Taylor Swift, famous singer, admits to disliking supermodel, former friend of Swift"

"According to inside source, Taylor Swift did not write her last album completely by herself"

"Swift left manager Braun without a warning, insider admits"

She couldn't read any more, knowing that it had been too late. Her first instinct was to contact Taylor, and even though they fought yesterday, Karlie tried calling her. No answer.

Just when Karlie was about to put her phone away and make some food, she saw an incoming email from her manager Alex:

"Hey Kar, don't know if you've seen the news and headlines. Some foul stuff is being said about Taylor. I know you're very close to her and I support that fully, but it would be best, career-wise, if you are not spotted with her in the near future. This will blow over, I'm sure, but right now it's a lot. Of course if you have other thoughts on the matter feel free to discuss them with me. Hope you're all well, let me know if there's anything else you need me to do. Alex."

According to the world, Karlie thought, I can't see Taylor. But it's all I want. The least I can do is shoot her a text. So there she went:

[9.48 AM] Hey Tay, I know we left things on bad terms lately, but as I said, I only want the best for you. I've seen the news, if you need anything, call me, text me, contact me. X Kar

Normally Taylor would respond within minutes, but not this time. After waiting about 15 minutes for a response, Karlie stood up and made some food. She was still thinking about her plan to take down Scott and Scooter. They had to pay for this.

If anyone had the means to take them down though, it was Karlie herself. As a former client of Scooter, who also happened to be close friends with Joshua, she knew the ins and outs of his character. She also knew the details of some of his shadier business deals. He had contracted some of his clients in a very pressing manner, using the same tactics of threatening to expose very personal information if they didn't do what he wanted. Joshua had always failed to condemn Scooters actions, yet another reason why she wanted him out of her life. And all the more reason to contact her lawyer, for a multitude of reasons. She wrote an email to Alex:

"Hey Alex, thanks for your email. I want to help Taylor, I know for a fact that most of those are lies and part of a bigger scheme in an effort to take her down. We're not letting that happen. I need a meeting with that lawyer again, could you set that up for me? You can also tell him that I need a few things taken care of: (a) I want to send away the signed divorce papers and finish up my divorce, and (b) I want a draft of an NDA agreement for Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta (they cannot disclose other information about Taylor, her music, personal life or record label).

That's why I need you to set up another meeting, with at least Scooter, but maybe Scott as well if we can get him involved. Just make up a business proposal that I want to share with them, an investment opportunity I would so gladly share with them, or some other bullshit story, and get them to my office. I have a plan!

Thanks Al, for all your help and advice. You're truly a way better manager than my previous ones. Karlie"

Her plan was set in motion, and Karlie felt empowered by her actions: She was going to take these men down like they wanted to do with Taylor. Only difference was that they deserved it. Her mind immediately wandered to Taylor, and she couldn't help but check her messages. Nothing. No missed calls either. Karlie missed Taylor, and knew she was going through a tough time. She decided to text Taylor again.

[4:56 PM] Hi Tay, haven't heard from you yet, it's worrying me a little. Hope you're okay. I want to be there for you, x Kar

Since she was on her phone anyway, Karlie decided to open up Twitter. This was a mistake, as she saw some trending hashtags, all about cancelling Taylor. #Taylorswiftisover, #CancelSwift, and so on. It was infuriating to see that Braun's plan had worked and that the general population was turning themselves against Taylor. This was the downside of social media: Everyone was so quick to judge and form an opinion, without validating the wild claims that were being made. This must be hurting Taylor, Karlie thought, who had never been immune to the opinion of others. It was her strength, as it made her ever so close to her fans, but in times like these, it was perhaps a weakness.

Just when she was eating dinner, she got a notification on her phone. Karlie ran through it, and saw that it was Taylor:

[8.00 PM] Kar, it's best if you don't contact me right now. Apparently I'm cancelled or something, and I'd hate to ruin your career. Stay away, it's for your best interest. I'm sorry. Tay.

The text made Karlie sob. This was never what she wanted. Taylor was pushing her away. All Karlie wanted was to fix the problems, and be with Taylor again. Just hanging out with her, was when she felt the most at peace. The complete shutdown on Taylor's side was understandable, but still hurt. She wanted Taylor to let her in, not shut her out! Their fight wasn't on her mind anymore, all Karlie wanted was to get back and get close to the beautiful singer again.

Her manager informed Karlie that he had set up the meetings for her. Firstly with her lawyer alone to finally finish up the divorce, and afterwards, with her lawyer, Scott and Scooter. She was going to get those bastards. And though Karlie respected Taylor immensely and felt so much for her, she was a little too stubborn to completely honor the last text that Taylor had sent her. She knew what the mesmerising blonde needed, and that was support. Karlie decided that she was going to see Taylor after her serious meetings tomorrow.