Hey readers! So this is my 4th chapter! I hope everyone enjoys this! Thanks for reading! dress she brought on the side!
Disclaimer: I don't own twilight or any songs featured in this book.
**Edited**
Chapter 4: Meeting Taylor
"Um... Sorry that I nearly ran into you" I say after coming back from the initial shock.
"Don't worry you were distracted. You have a beautiful voice. Have you ever thought about becoming a singer?" She asked with a polite friendly smile on her face.
"Um... Not really, I-I knew I couldn't compare to p-people as like you. N-Not that I wouldn't love to be a singer. I-I just don't think I have the confidence" I said my voice shaking slightly. I felt myself blush in embarrassment and took a deep breath hoping to pull myself together, I must look like such a wreck. But it was so forward that I couldn't help but become a little flustered.
"I think you could definitely do it with the right manager supporting you. I am sure the scouts would love to to take a listen to your demo" she says calmly and collectively, as if she did something like this all the time. I looked at Angela and she nodded encouragingly.
"I guess? But I don't really have a demo" I said nervously.
"They could come to a performance? Do you have any gigs coming up?" She asked patiently as the security guard behind her began talking into his earpiece, giving his other colleagues his whereabouts.
"Um... We have a school talent show coming up" I offer in hope as she nods and mulls it over.
"That could work. What's your name?"
"Isabella Swan, but Bella for short"
"What high school do you attend?" she asks as she gets the latest iPhone out of her pocket. I take a deep breath as it all started to feel real. Taylor Swift was asking for my name...
"I go to school at Forks High school and the talent show is on the 2nd of October at 5 o'clock" I say, trying my hardest to keep my voice calm and understandable. She nods typing away in her phone, not even a glance in my direction as her eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
"Okay, I'll be back in a second. Just going to check in with my manager and arrange a few things. Hopefully I won't be busy because I would love to come and watch" she explained before she walked out of the store, bringing her phone to her ear. I pinched myself to make sure this wasn't a dream.
"Ouch" I whispered with a flinch, rubbing my arm which now holds a small red mark. I look up, trying to will myself to believe this was real as I see Taylor through the glass of the shop window talking on the phone with her security guards surrounding her, blocking her from sight.
I turned towards Angela who was in an equal amount of shock. I waved my hand in front of her face. She blinked once... twice.... three times before looking at me with astonishment.
"I can't believe it! You could be famous in like a months time" she exclaimed excitedly but quiet enough to make sure no one heard. She looked just as frazzled as I felt and i knew we were both questioning what was happening right now.
"That's if I make it... You have to remember the music business is tough. So don't let your hopes get too high, scouts see many people every day. I seriously think that I won't make it" I replied feeling slightly defeated but still quite excited to even get an opportunity like this.
"You will make it, I have faith in you. Your voice is better than you give yourself credit for" She encourages smiling at me. I gave her a half smile in return. Not really believing too much into her enthusiasm.
"I agree with her" I hear Taylor say gently from behind me. I turn to see her smiling friendly with an open posture as she tucks her cell phone into the front pocket of her light beige shorts. Her white blouse hang loosely, tucked in neatly allowing it to billow slightly at the bottom. Her blonde hair was down in a cute curly style with a fringe lining her heart shaped face. Her knee high boots were an exact match in shade as her shorts and helped tie her outfit together.
"Thanks" I say looking between the both of them, I was never one for taking compliments.
"So...." I continue whilst looking pointedly at Taylor, trying to fish information from her in regards to the phone call she just made and get the attention away from myself for a bit. She seemed to understand what I was hinting at and nodded.
"Oh right, well they will be sending a scout and camera man out to watch and record your performance. It also turns out that I am free that night, so... I will be able to see it live. Most likely in a disguise though" she says in slight excitement, sharing the news with us. I smile at her excitement and can't help but feel a similar amount bubble up inside of me, plus a bundle of nerves.
"Wait, what will happen if the scout thinks I'm good enough?" I ask, curious about what happens next.
"Well, the scout will send the video to numerous recording companies and see what companies respond, if any do. From there you chose which company you would like to record with, sign a few papers, audition and record a few songs to see if you can cope with the recording process and if you pass then they will let you start recording the next top hit" she explains.
"Okay, and what were you saying about a manager?" I asked her in confusion. All of this was making an absolute mess in my head. I had never looked much into the life of celebrities, never taking all that much interest so all of this was a whole new world to me.
"Oh, if you end up signing a record deal you'll need a manager to help organize your schedule like when your concerts will be held and when you will be on talk show, ect, ect. But when you first start out your manager could be a family member, a friend, just anyone that is willing to help you until you can hire professional help. My dad was my first ever manager, I remember the days he used to sell my albums in a Walmart car park" she laughs with a helpful smile on her face. I looked over at Angela who was standing behind me as the wheels start to turn. She is smart and seems to support me, calms me down and seems to be able to remain calm in situations like this.
"That's a great idea Taylor... Angela would you consider being my manager?" I asked hope filling my tone. I obviously was not putting any pressure on her as I knew this would be a big ask, especially as we were both still seniors in high school.
"I guess? It would be fun and I have always liked organising things" she said with excitement lacing her slightly nervous tone.
"I think you will be great but if you ever wanna tap out, just tell me" I give her a brief hug before we both turn back to Taylor not really sure what else needs to be said.
"Would you like to accompany me shopping? My friend was meant to join but they had a last minute audition" Taylor asked seeing the hesitation on our faces on what to say next.
"Of course, we would love too" I say back feeling slightly nervous about the fact that a celebrity wanted to spend more time in my presence. Just a few hours, just a few hours more to try and not embarrass myself in front of her. I can do this. What would Alice do? This is my new motto that I will now live vicariously through. The answer would be to shop confidently in stride with Taylor as if she belonged there, none of this nervousness and worrying over embarrassment that hasn't even happened. It wasn't even just Taylor, she had bodygaurds and fans that would be watching her every move and with me beside her... they will watch mine too.
Anxiety will not get you out of your box, you can do this Bella.
I hooked arms with Angela hoping that she wouldn't let me fall in front of everyone. She seemed to understand and gripped me slightly tighter. My clumsiness was not gonna ruin this. Taylor followed behind us as we headed towards the dressing room as we had outfits to try on. As we reached the dressing rooms we all separated going into separate stalls to try on our selections.
I tried on several outfits much to my dismay, in the end I decided I would take them all. I walked out to see Angela talking to Taylor and as I approached they both turned and smiled.
"Are we ready to pay?" I asked smiling back, tucking a stray hair strand behind my ear. I couldn't believe I was actually shopping with Taylor Swift. I'm by no means a swiftie I think they call themselves but I still loved her music.
"Yep" they replied at the same time before we all laughed.
We made our way over to the counter, there was a younger female leaning on the bench. She had delicate features that matched her small frame well. She had a soft but friendly smile as she sees us approach. I grabbed the clothes Angela was planning on buying, adding them to my pile. I smiled at her as she went to protest but I simply waved the piece of paper from the bank and she closed her mouth but still seemed to hesitate. I dumped the large pile of clothes on the counter and the clerk looked down surprised by how much I was buying. She started to scan them without another look in my direction, seemingly happy that I had gotten so much.
"So the total comes to $659.98" she said. I nodded my head before swiping my card and entering the pin, with a slight flinch that I couldn't contain. I hate spending money I didn't earn. Once it had approved Angela and I stepped aside to let Taylor pay for her clothes. The look on the clerks face when she saw Taylor was priceless Angela and I couldn't help but giggle a little, trying to keep it silent. It was too funny, but I couldn't help but to feel pity for the girl as not long ago I was her. As soon as she had also paid she grabbed her bags, gave the clerk a quick signature and a photo before making her way over to us.
"Does that happen every time?" I can't help but ask with a slight chuckle. taylor looks over her shoulder at the clerk who still seemed to be mulling over the interaction that had just occurred.
"Like 75% of the time, sometimes they don't know me or are too shy to approach" She shrugs nonchalantly "Although if I can tell it's the later, I like to approach them if I can"
"That's actually really cool" I smile at her and she seems to actually somewhat blush at the compliment. She turns to assess the front door seeming to grimace at what she saw.
"Just a heads up, the paparazzi are pretty bad today. Words gotten out that I am here. If you want to shop separately I will completely understand" she warns us, she seems a little concerned as she searches our faces for any sign of hesitancy. I could tell this has scared people off before, hence why she felt the need to warn us. I put on a smile, pretending that this doesn't completely terrify me.
"Let's do this" I look to Angela and she seems to have the same attitude that I do, giving me a determined nod. Angela and I linked arms preparing for the awaiting crowd that has brewed, I hesitate but offer my other arm to Taylor and she takes it without even really thinking about it. This way we don't lose each other in the crowd and it will be easier for security to make a path. We stepped out of the comfort of the store and flashes erupted from every direction. It dazed me for a moment as I blink a few times to adjust.
"Keep your heads down, helps with the flashes" Taylor warns us again, as we duck our heads and let her team lead us through the crowd. We used our hair to cover our faces as we watch the ground below, letting our linked arms lead us the right way. The security made a path for us to walk through and we quickly made our way towards the food court. The mall security had stepped in and had seemed to manage to keep the group at bay. Taylor stopped abruptly, I looked up in surprise to see what had captured her attention alarmed. I turned to see her looking toward a dress in the shop window we were about to walk past. It was a beautiful satin strappy red dress that came to just above knee height, it had simple structure but was still absolutely gorgeous. Taylor wordlessly started to pull us into the shop.
"Are you going to get the dress?" I asked her in confusion from the encounter.
"Not me but I think you are" she replies with a mischievous smile. My eyebrows burrow as I look at her bewildered.
"But it's so fancy, I wouldn't have anywhere to wear it to. Forks is tiny" I make a rebuttal, looking at her dazed at why she thinks I would need this dress.
"You'll wear it to the talent show, it's perfect" she suggests as she scans the store looking for the dress that we had seen on the mannequin.
"Are you sure? Isn't it a little too fancy?" I ask with doubt, allowing myself to be dragged through the store on this dress hunt that we had now become a part of.
"No, I think it's just the right amount of fancy. What size?"she replies distractedly as she file through the dress on the rack.
"Small" I replied still processing what was happening, she grabbed the right one and walked up to the counter. With us following along for the ride. I look to Angela and all we can do is raise each others eyebrows and shrug. This time we approach a young male clerk about mid twenties that seemed just as dazed as the first one. He shot upright as soon as he made eye contact with her and seemed to be slightly hyperventilating as Taylor put the dress onto the counter. After the whole interaction, I realised that she had paid for the dress. By the time I saw, it was too late to protest but when I went to open my mouth she simply held up a hand and handed me the bag.
"Consider it a gift to wish you luck and for joining me on this shopping trip. Maybe to the start of a new friendship" she explains as she gives the clerk one final wave as we exit the store.
"So we're kind of friends?" I asked, even shocked at the thought of it.
"I think we will be great friends, even if you don't end up being signed" she replies with an encouraging smile. I can't help but smile back as Angela gives my arm an encouraging squeeze. I hope she doesn't feel left out of this. I turn to look at her and see her genuinely happy face. She is such a good friend, I could tell she is the type to celebrate her friends successes as her own. I really should have spent more time with her this past year.
"Shall we make our way to the food court?" she asked with her eyebrows raised, as if asking if we are hungry.
"Yes please, I'm starving. Angela?" I answer before looking to Angela.
"Food sounds great" She smiles back. I nod and we follow Taylor's security in the direction of the food court. Some of the paparazzi had seemed to break through and had once again gathered waiting outside the food court, looking in all directions for Taylor. When they spotted us, we immediately ducked our head. Letting the security make a path for us again.
"The down side of fame besides the haters is that you can never go anywhere without paparazzi following you! No privacy at all!" Taylor muttered annoyed, as she tried to speak over the noisy clicking and numerous questions being thrown in her direction. The food court came into sight through the spaces in the crowd.
"What does every one want?" she asked loudly looking back at us as we push through.
"I really want a burger?" I asked them unsure as it would be easier to agree on one place.
"Sure!" They both responded with nods. We started to walk towards a restaurant that was kind of offsetted to the rest of the food court as Taylor whispered in one of her team members ears. As soon as we walked in the door, the security held the paparazzi at bay. When the staff saw who had entered we were seated immediately, in one mad rush. We were placed in what seemed to be what was considered the best seats they had.
"I guess that's one upside" she said with a slight giggle at our dazed looks. I laughed a little too as Angela and I shared bewildered looks. The waitress came over to take our order before we had really even had a chance to look at the menu. Now that's service.
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