hey guys!! so i am travelling tomorrow so update time might be weird! i will be updating tho so keep an eye out!
love y'all!

this chapter's funny hehe

———

Dear Rory,
1989 went platinum in its first week of sales. I still can't wrap my mind around it.
Not much else to say today.
I'm stunned beyond words.
Love, Taylor

———

January 2023

December comes and goes relatively fast. By the time I make it back to New York after the holidays, the manuscript has already been sent to Finch & Sparrow, ready to be edited. Everything's moving so fast that I ask Camilla to split my trips between me and another one of the young eager writers who have joined us recently.

"Rory..." Camilla stops, right before I walk out of her office. "I feel like you're... I don't mean anything when I say this, but I feel like you're slowing down?"

I actually laugh while nodding. "Yeah. Honestly, Cami, I'm exhausted."

She lets the tiniest furrow crease her brow. "You okay, kid?"

"I've actually never been better," I tell her, holding the door handle. "I just need to slow down and stop trying to run away from life all the time. You want the door open or closed?"

"Open. Can you tell Marco to come in?"

It's not a secret to me that every time I get on a plane, it's because I'm trying to escape my boring and mundane life. I got stuck in a town I didn't necessarily like because my parents were taken away from me and I hated everything in my life because of it. So, I ran. And every time things got hard, I ran again. I loved it. I loved running. I love it still. I love travelling. I love visiting a beautiful city I've never been to before. But it's never been just about travelling and seeing what the earth has to offer.

These days, I'm learning that the mundane can also be special. I didn't have to fly all the way to Iceland to feel something.

This morning, I wake up to an e-mail from Xander CC-ed to Rebecca. They've set a date to release the book. May 1st. That's something to look forward to.

When I make my way to the kitchen, Cas calls me.

"You're not doing anything tonight, are you?" They ask me. I can hear them stacking a bunch of books on the other end of the line.

"I think I'm staying home. Why?" I respond curiously while putting some bread in the toaster. I don't normally eat in the morning but I woke up hungry today.

"Hey, Laura, can you pass me that Jenkins book?" Cas takes another moment to talk to Laura before returning their attention to me. "Sorry about that. We got a new delivery today. Right! I was saying— This new book. God, it's terrible! I read the synopsis, and— my god, I can't believe someone actually fucking wrote this. It's better than the Chewbacca smut we read!"

"That can't be true. The Chewbacca smut was like the best two dollars I've ever spent on any E-book ever!" I reply sarcastically, although I do break into a smile as they cackle hard.

"It's better, Ror. It involves alien octopi and lots and lots of tentacle stuff."

My eyes open wide as I grab the butter and a knife. "Did you just say tentacles?"

"Yep. It's probably going to be so fucking bad! You in?"

"Hell yeah, I'm in! I'll buy some wine and you get Chinese takeout on your way home," I reply, placing the pieces of bread on a plate and spreading butter on them.

"Yes! Amazing. I'll see you tonight. Love ya!"

"Love you too, Cassie!" I can't help but laugh as I hang up the phone and sit at the dining table to eat.

I don't bother putting on a pair of pants or even running a comb through my hair, happy to be at home with nothing to do for once.

I find myself on Netflix and the first thing that pops up on the television when it loads is Taylor's face. Honestly, it makes me jump in surprise. She's got a sparkly black hood covering her perfect curls and a smoulder in her eyes that basically screams CLICK ON MY FILM OR YOU'LL REGRET IT.

Curiosity got the best of me. I click play and tuck my legs under me as the concert film starts.

It is nothing like the concerts I remember.

The whole time, I'm watching her perform with my mouth open and my eyes wide.

It's not just a concert. It's an experience. She's not just singing her songs, she's putting on a show. It's amazing. I'm sure the movie's edited to look perfect but it is. It's perfect and she sounds perfect.

When the movie's over, I'm lost in a stupor.

I have perfectly working eyes and ears. I know Taylor's objectively beautiful. I know she's an amazing musician. No one can deny either of those things.

But man... That movie had me holding my breath a couple of times.

Netflix suggests a documentary next with her face on it as well.

It's called Miss Americana. I let it play on its own and this time, I have to pause it a few times to grab some water, take a breather, and stop myself from texting Taylor to make sure she's okay.

She is, I reassure myself. This was filmed three years ago or so.

She's the one who texts me first, though, as if she sensed me watching her movies.

Taylor: I'm bored. London's cold!!!

Rory: New York's cold too!!!

Taylor: Booooo I want summer

Rory: I don't. I love winter!

Taylor: I know you do

Suddenly, she's requesting to FaceTime and I decline that call faster than I can say fuck. And I do say it afterwards.

Rory: I'm working!

What a lie. I can't exactly have her see the bird's nest that is my hair, my unwashed face, and puffy eyes.

Taylor: Oh, sorry 🫤🫤 I'm so bored tho

Rory: Sorry! When are you coming back to NYC so I can actually help with that?

Taylor: I'm not. I mean I'm coming back to the States soon but I have tour rehearsals and that's going to be at a super secret rehearsal space where we can build the super secret giant stage and run through the entire super secret setlist in super secrecy

Rory: How far away from civilisation do you have to be so no one actually hears you rehearsing the songs?

Taylor: not that far actually

Rory: Is this another Los Alamos situation? Did you build your own town? ARE YOU WORKING ON AN ATOMIC BOMB?

Taylor: Yes and the bomb in question?

Taylor: [... typing ...]

Rory: Your ass?
[1 reply]

I've been friends with Cas long enough to know how that joke goes. I'm horrified at myself for using it with anyone else, though. I send the message before my brain can realise how dumb the joke is.

Taylor: These cookies i just made cuz they're da bomb

Taylor:

Taylor: ...

Taylor: Wow

Rory: Uhhhh

Rory: Yeah, anyway...

Taylor:

Taylor: these cookies are so good

Rory: enjot your cookies'n! BYe

I don't even bother fixing all the typos before tossing my phone on the other end of the sofa. When it buzzes, I completely ignore it.

Instead, I run to my room to change my clothes and go to the store to get that bottle of wine I promised Cas I'd buy.

——

Cas and I are both pretty drunk.

It's barely nine in the evening. The empty boxes of takeout are left on the coffee table in the living room and we're laughing so hard, I have actual tears streaming down my face.

"He did what?" I wheeze, slowly falling off the couch until I'm sitting on the ground. Zorro pounces on me, one of his paws slamming into my gut. I let out a grunt, pushing his heavy paw off but he takes it as an invitation to start playing with me, taking my hand in his mouth and nibbling at it, gently enough though that it tickles.

"Otto wraps one of his tentacles around her leg, flipping her in mid-air—"

Cas manages to read the sentence despite their incessant giggling but I interrupt them with another burst of laughter.

"That's it, I'm done. I can't do this anymore!" They snort, tossing the book away and flopping down next to me. "I think they were going to fuck with her suspended in the air."

"Fuck, I'm going to piss my pants," I laugh, dropping my head on my best friend's shoulder.

"I think I already did," they whisper jokingly, making it even harder for us to calm ourselves down. "Sorry you had to hear all of that, buddy," they tell Zorro, ruffling his floppy ears.

"You wanna finish the book?" I ask, still snickering but Cas holds up a finger, their face bunched up.

"Oh, I really need to pee," they announce, standing up abruptly and running to the bathroom.

I laugh all over again when I hear the door slam. I pick up my phone while waiting for them, scrolling through my notifications while running my palm over Zorro's head with the other hand.

There's a text from Taylor, of course, which immediately makes my laughter die.

Taylor: Rory u don't actually have to run away. That made me laugh so hard I choked on my cookie. In fact, I miss your stupid jokes. Pls send more

Rory: I didn't run away. Cas and I were reading a terrible fantasy book with alien octopi sex and... other disturbing things... It was really terrible.

As I'm writing a second message, Taylor has already answered the first one.

Taylor: you're reading WHAT now? Alien Octopi 🐙?!

I erase what my previous response was going to be and answer that one instead.

Rory: Yeah, you don't want to know more. Trust me on that.

Taylor: Oh, I definitely want to know more! YOU READ OCTOPUS SMUT

Rory: Only when someone orders them to Cas' bookstore and they get an extra copy delivered so that we can get super drunk to get through the book. We couldn't get past chapter 10 today!

Taylor: HA you read octopus smut

Rory: We've read Chewbacca smut before too. Also witches. And zombies. And werewolf zombies. I'm not exactly sure how people find these stories but they always do, and one time,  Cas ordered a bunch of copies of this werewolves and vampires story that's nothing like Twilight, it's so bad, but weirdly, these books? THEY ALWAYS SELL OUT!

Taylor: That is so funny actually. Next time you get a weird book like that, you gotta let me know

I go to write down a response, when Cas returns. They pick the book back up and read a sentence I never thought I would ever hear in my entire life and I choke on thin air.

"The Octopus did what?" I shriek, jumping to sit next to Cas and read it with my own two eyes.

"He squirted ink all over—"

"Stop, stop, stop," I interrupt Cas when they start reading the sentence again and we both fall into another fit of giggles. "That is so messed up! I much prefer the Chewbacca smut, dude!"

"Oh my god," Cas laughs, closing the book and dropping their head on my shoulder. "Okay, I can't do this anymore. I'm going to murder Wyatt for ordering a bunch of copies of this to the store."

"The fucked up part is that you're probably going to sell all the copies eventually," I laugh dryly, dropping my head into my hands and rubbing my forehead. "I'm gonna go shower. I need to cleanse myself from whatever we just read."

Cas cackles as we both get up and make our way inside. They hug me lightly before they go into their room with Zorro in tow and I shuffle into the bathroom with a towel.

Once I'm in bed and in my pyjamas, I remember the timezone difference between New York and London and text Taylor again.

Rory: Why are you still awake at 4:00 a.m.???

Taylor: Can't sleep

Rory: Any reason in particular?

Taylor: just lots on my mind. Nothing to worry about tbh

Rory: You sure? I'm free now if you want. I mean, I'm a little drunk. I had to shower sitting down because I was terrified of slipping in there buuuut I'm free

Taylor: 😂😂😂

Taylor: You're too sweet, Rory. I'm okay though. Drink lots of water and get some sleep please!! You don't wanna wake up hungover

Rory: Ehh I'm fine. You sure you're okay?

Taylor's text bubbles appear and disappear a few times for a couple of minutes before she sends an actual message.

Taylor: I'm great!!

Taylor:

Taylor: Can't be too terrible when I've got her to cuddle, right?

I don't wanna press too hard on the matter because it's not really my place and I don't want to push her away, but her response does not make me worry any less.

Rory: Just her?

Taylor: the other 2 are around the room somewhere

Taylor: anyway i should actually get some sleep. i've got an early flight to a ✨ top secret location ✨ in the morning

Rory: Uh-huh. Goodnight, Taylor. Sleep tight.

Taylor: wait do u wanna come to opening night of the tour? It's in Glendale Arizona on March 17th

I know there's a trip to Japan in March. As long as it doesn't clash, I could never say no. I check the shared Odyssey calendar for the upcoming few months and thankfully, that trip isn't until the 27th.

Rory: I'll be there. I think I was promised backstage passes?

Taylor: and a ride on my dad's Segway if you're lucky!

Rory: 😂😂😂 Amazing. I can't wait! I'll see you then?

Taylor: See you then! Night night, Ror!

Rory: Goodnight, Taylor! Sleep well. 😌

Before I can put my phone down, I see the three dots appear again. They linger for another few seconds before disappearing entirely. I sigh heavily, interrupted by a yawn as I turn to lay on my side, but as I close my eyes to sleep, the only thing I see is blonde curls and the bluest eyes I've ever seen.

———