save me - taylor swift

9

"Come on," she said abruptly, desperate to break whatever was happening. "Let me get you coffee."

Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Taylor's bag and headed for the door.

Taylor blinked, looking momentarily dazed, before she followed.

She walked fast, her pace nearly matching Ruby's, as if she had the same urge to keep up, to stay close.

When they reached the hallway, Ruby handed Taylor her bag before nodding toward the studio. "Wait in there. I'll bring you your coffee."

Taylor gave her a questioning look but didn't argue. She pushed open the studio door and disappeared inside.

Ruby exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair before heading toward the break room.

She had no idea what the hell was wrong with her.

She shouldn't have touched her. She shouldn't have looked at her like that.

And she sure as hell shouldn't have felt whatever it was that made her chest tighten the way it did.

She inhaled deeply, trying to push it down as she made Taylor's coffee exactly how she liked it. Her hands were steady as she stirred, but her mind was anything but.

When she finally returned to the studio, Taylor was seated at the piano, her fingers ghosting over the keys without pressing down. She turned when Ruby entered, her eyes flickering to the cup in her hand.

Ruby handed it over without a word.

But just as Taylor took it, Ruby's jacket sleeve lifted slightly.

And Taylor saw.

Her hand darted out instinctively, her fingers wrapping around Ruby's wrist before she could pull away. Ruby froze.

"Your wrist," Taylor murmured, her voice soft but firm.

Ruby's heart slammed against her ribs.

For a split second, neither of them moved.

Then, Ruby gently pulled her hand back, forcing a small chuckle. "It's my neighbor's cat," she said smoothly. "I was trying to pet her last night, but she scratched me. You know how cats are."

Taylor didn't let go immediately. She hesitated, staring at the scratches as if they held some kind of answer.

A thought crossed her mind then, something so absurd she almost laughed at herself for even considering it.

What if it was Ruby?

The idea was ridiculous, impossible even. But something gnawed at the back of her mind, something she couldn't quite shake.

She let go of Ruby's wrist.

"Talking about last night," Ruby said, her voice light, too casual. "That must've been scary. I hope you're feeling better now."

Taylor's grip on her coffee tightened. "It was," she admitted quietly. "I'm better now."

Better, but still unsettled.

Because the one person she had screamed for last night, the one person whose name had left her lips in desperation—

Was standing right in front of her.

Ruby hummed in understanding before nodding toward the door. "I'll be right outside. If you need anything just call my name. I'll hear you."

The words felt heavier than they should have.

Taylor nodded slowly, watching as Ruby turned and walked out.

She stared at the door long after it closed.