forever and always - taylor swift

13

"So..." Ella began, glancing at Daisy out of the corner of her eye. "Taylor Swift, huh?"

Daisy chuckled softly, shaking her head. "What about her?"

Ella gave her an incredulous look, one eyebrow raised. "Don't 'what about her' me. You brought Taylor Swift to our high school reunion, and we didn't even know you were... you know."

Daisy sighed, fiddling with the hem of her coat. "I didn't exactly make an announcement, Ella."

Ella's smile softened, her tone turning more curious than teasing. "Fair. But, Daze, how did this even happen? You and Taylor Swift—like, how? Spill everything."

Daisy hesitated for a moment, glancing out the window before speaking. "We met a few years ago. It wasn't... planned or anything. We just sort of found each other."

Ella nodded, her brow furrowed. "And now you're... together?"

Daisy smiled, though it was tinged with uncertainty. "Something like that. It's complicated, though. With her schedule, her fame—it's not easy."

Ella gave a low whistle. "Yeah, I can imagine. But she seems... really into you, Daze. The way she looked at you tonight? Like you were the only one in the room."

Daisy flushed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "She's amazing, Ella. I mean, it's Taylor, right? But underneath all of that—she's just so real. She's funny, caring, and thoughtful. It's just..." She hesitated. "It's hard to balance everything sometimes."

Ella's expression softened. "You're worried about all the public stuff, aren't you?"

Daisy nodded slowly. "Yeah. She's always been so private about her personal life, and I get it. But there are times when I feel like... like I'm in this secret little world with her, and I don't know when—or if—it'll ever be okay to share that with everyone else."

Ella reached over, giving Daisy's hand a quick squeeze. "You deserve to be happy, Daze. And if she makes you happy, then that's all that matters. The rest will figure itself out."

Daisy smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Ella. It's just nice to talk to someone about it. It's not exactly something I can bring up casually, you know?"

"Anytime," Ella replied with a wink. "But you better keep me updated. I need to know if we're calling her your girlfriend or if she's still just 'Taylor.'"

Daisy laughed, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

Ella grinned, pulling into Daisy's driveway. "That's why we're best friends. Now, go text your pop star and let her know you're home safe."

Daisy rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling as she climbed out of the car. "Goodnight, Ella."

"Goodnight, Daze. And seriously—don't forget to invite me to the wedding."

Daisy laughed again, waving as Ella drove off into the night. She stood there for a moment, the chill of the evening settling over her, before heading inside, already pulling out her phone to send Taylor a message.

Daisy slipped under the warm covers of her bed, her phone glowing softly in the dark. She opened Taylor's messages again, rereading the concern in her words and smiling to herself. Her thumbs tapped quickly across the screen.

Daisy: Just got home. Ella dropped me off. You've got nothing to worry about.

The reply came almost instantly, making Daisy chuckle.

Taylor: Good. I trust Ella, but I trust myself more.

Daisy rolled her eyes affectionately, biting her lip to hold back a laugh.