You Belong With Me

Taylor’s P.O.V.

Two weeks came and went without much change. Alex and I tried to continue living our lives as normally as possible. It was really hard at first, but we knew it was what Eric would have wanted.

We went back to spending most of our time together except for the time he spent with Katelyn. She gave me dirty looks behind his back every opportunity she had. At first, it was awkward, but Alex tried to keep the PDA to a minimum when I was around. I was glad that he wasn’t weird about it when we were alone either. Now that he knew how I felt, he could have easily gotten weirded out when I slept next to him or gave him a hug. I guess it just felt as normal to him as it did to me.

Surprisingly, it only took a week for Alex and me to go back to school. It was better than being at home where we were constantly reminded of him. When we went back, everyone treated us differently. Teachers were nicer to us, kids let us get to the front of the lunch line, and they all looked at us with pity in their eyes. Alex and I were no longer ordinary kids; we were now known as the kids who lost a brother, which meant that everyone had to automatically be nice to us. I did not enjoy having the feeling that everyone felt bad for me.

Around this time of year, it became a tradition for us to do a holiday show. Every year, I would open for All Time Low at Ram’s Head in Baltimore. We decided that this year wouldn’t be any different. Everyone needed a little Christmas cheer, especially after what happened.

We decided to have it on Saturday, December 12th, two days before Alex’s birthday and one day before mine. It had to be earlier than normal this year because everyone was either busy or going on vacation around Christmas. This was going to be our first show since the summer. Needless to say, we were all a little nervous.

The show was going to start at seven, so we had to get there at five to run through sound check, but we were done by 5:45, so we all just sat around and ate dinner backstage before the show started.

“Tonight is going to be kind of weird,” I said as I bit into the turkey sandwich that the venue provided for me.

“Yeah, it’ll be our first show without Eric in the audience,” agreed Alex.

“That and it feels like we haven’t performed for like a thousand years,” exaggerated Jack.

“Alex, is Katelyn coming to the show? I’m curious to meet her and I know you said that she wants to see us perform,” asked Zack.

“Yeah she’s coming and she said she’s really excited. I’m more nervous than I have ever been though.”

“Why? Haven’t you sung in front of her before?” asked Rian.

“Only like once and I’m performing ‘Six Feet under the Stars’ tonight. I wrote that song for her and she’s only heard one verse so far. I’m nervous about what she’s going to think.”

“Stop being so modest,” I said pushing him playfully. “I’m sure she’ll love it.”

“She’d better,” said Jack. “We spent hours perfecting that song. She had better fucking like it.”

“Yeah, Gaskarth, just so you know, I am never doing that much work just so that you can get a girl ever again. I hope you know that,” said Rian.

“Gee, thanks, Ri,” Alex responded sarcastically. “I really appreciate all the support.

“Yeah, you better,” laughed Rian.

“Hey, Taylor, you got any hot friends to introduce me to?” asked Jack. “I’m feeling pretty horny tonight and I want to get lucky.” I hit Jack over the head as hard as I could. “Ouch! What? It’s a serious question!”

“Ok, first of all,” I said trying not to laugh, “you already know most of my friends. Second of all, I would never introduce you to a friend just for you to have a one-night-stand with her.”

“Hey! I would try to get to know her a little bit.”

“Yeah, you would ask her what her name is and that would be just about all you would get to know about her, except maybe what she looks like naked,” sniggered Alex.

“That’s not true! I would ask her how old she is. I’m not willing to go to jail for anybody.”
We couldn’t hold our laughter in anymore and it took at least a minute for us to regain our composure. I can always count on Jack to lighten the mood.

“But, wait, I have a question,” Alex asked while he was still laughing. “What do girls do when they see the size of your penis?”

“Or lack thereof,” laughed Rian.

“I bet they wonder if you really are a man because they can’t see anything down there,” Zack chuckled.

“Hey! My penis is perfectly visible to the ladies when I want it to be,” responded Jack. “I’ll prove it.”

“NO!” I screamed. I held my hands in front of my face. There was no way I was going to let him traumatize me like this. “No, Jack, please don’t. I’ll take your word for it.”

The next moment, the manager of the venue came in and said that I needed to get ready to go on, thank God. I was not willing to see any part of Jack’s genitalia.

I took my guitar and walked to the side of the stage where I waited to go on. I could hear a lot of hustle and bustle coming from the venue; there must have been a lot of people. I gulped.

Five minutes later, a tall woman with long brown hair and pale skin walked onstage to introduce me. “Hey, kids!” she said and everyone cheered. “How are you all doing out there?” They screamed even louder. “I think you all know this first singer. She’s only seventeen and she’s from Lutherville-Timonium. We’ve had her here before and we think she’s completely amazing. Give it up for Taylor Swift!”

I smiled and waved as I walked to the center of the stage. A chair and microphone were already set up for me, so I sat down. I noticed that Katelyn was sitting right up front. The look on her face told me that she hoped I would mess up or fall off the stage somehow. I decided to look at anyone else but her.

“Hey, everybody!” I said into the microphone. “First of all, let me say happy holidays! I’m so happy to be back here again. I think there are even more of you here this year than last year, which is awesome. Anyway this first song is called ‘Picture to Burn’ and it’s about heartbreakers. If you know the words, feel free to sing along.”

“State the obvious
I didn’t get my perfect fantasy
I realized you love yourself
More that you could ever love me...”

“Wow!” I said as I finished the song. “That was amazing! You guys sounded great.” Some of the audience members had actually known the words to that song because they had been to my previous shows. “It’s been way too long since I’ve been up here singing for you guys. Right now, you are reminding me of how much I love doing this, so thank you. This next song is about being apart from the one you love and just thinking about all the memories you have together. It’s called ‘Tim McGraw’ and I hope you like it.” I heard more cheers from the audience as I began the song.

“You said the way my blue eyes shined
Put those Georgia stars to shame that night
I said, "That's a lie"
Just a boy in a Chevy truck
That had a tendency of gettin' stuck
On backroads at night
And I was right there beside him
All summer long
And then the time we woke up to find
That summer'd gone...”

“Whew,” I said, taking a deep breath when the song was done. “I have to say that’s one of my favourite songs to perform live, especially with an awesome audience like you guys. Have you guys ever been in the car with your boyfriend or girlfriend and realized that you never decided on a song that represents your relationship? Well, this is ‘Our Song’ and it’s dedicated to all the couples out there.”

“I was riding shotgun with my hair undone
In the front seat of his car
He's got a one-hand feel on the steering wheel
The other on my heart
I look around, turn the radio down
He says, Baby is something wrong??
I say, ‘Nothing I was just thinking
How we don't have a song?’ and he says...”

While I was singing, people began dancing and clapping and I got really into it. I really did miss this. By the time I was done singing, everyone was on their feet. The feeling I got from that was unexplainable. “You guys really do blow me away,” I said. “You are all amazing. I have to admit that I was a little bit nervous at first because I haven’t played for awhile, but now I’m just having so much fun up here. What about you guys? Are you having fun out there?” Some people screamed. “I can’t hear you!” I chanted. I smiled when I heard the loud cheer that followed. “Good, that’s what I thought. This next one is called ‘White Horse’ and I think you can guess what it’s about.”

“Say you're sorry, that face of an angel
Comes out just when you need it to
As I paced back and forth all this time
Cause I honestly believed in you
Holding on, the days drag on
Stupid girl, I should have known
I should have known
I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairy tale
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet
Lead her up the stairwell...”

The song became hard for me to get through by the end because it reminded me so much of my current situation with Alex, but I finally finished without messing up or breaking down, thank God. “I’m sorry to say that this next song will be my last song for the night.” I heard boo’s coming from the audience. “But, I will be back, I promise you.” The boo’s turned to cheers. “This last song is called ‘Teardrops On My Guitar’ and it’s about that one boy you can never have. I hope you enjoy it.”

“Drew looks at me
I fake a smile so he won't see
What I want and I need
And everything that we should be

I'll bet she's beautiful
That girl he talks about
And she's got everything
That I have to live without

Drew talks to me
I laugh 'cause it's just so funny
I can't even see
Anyone when he's with me

He says he's so in love
He's finally got it right
I wonder if he knows
He's all I think about at night

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star
He's the song in the car I keep singing
Don't know why I do

Drew walks by me
Can he tell that I can't breathe?
And there he goes, so perfectly
The kind of flawless I wish I could be

She better hold him tight
Give him all her love
Look in those beautiful eyes
And know she's lucky 'cause

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star
He's the song in the car I keep singing
Don't know why I do

So I drive home alone
As I turn out the light
I'll put his picture down
And maybe get some sleep tonight

'Cuz he's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only one who's got enough of me to break my heart
He's the song in the car I keep singing
Don't know why I do

He's the time taken up but there's never enough
And he's all that I need to fall into
Drew looks at me
I fake a smile so he won't see”

There it was, the song I wrote for Alex. The look on Katelyn’s face caught my eye as I finished the song. I could see the fire and jealousy in her eyes. Maybe now she would see just how much he meant to me. I noticed someone move in the shadows to my right. I quickly turned and saw Alex, along with the rest of All Time Low, standing there with a confused look on his face. Never in my life had I wanted to be able to read minds more than I did at that very moment.

“Happy holidays, everybody,” I said to the audience. “Thank you for coming and hopefully I will see you soon. Goodnight.” I took my guitar and walked offstage right past Alex and the rest of All Time Low.
-------------------------------------------------

Alex’s P.O.V.

As I listened to Taylor’s beautiful singing voice, I couldn’t help but wonder who the song was about. Who the hell is this Drew guy? She had never told me about liking a kid named Drew who had a girlfriend. In fact, I don’t ever remember her mentioning a Drew. She finished the song and walked swiftly by without giving me a second glance.

“Who is Drew?” I asked Jack. “Is he someone she just met?”

Jack just looked at me and shrugged. “She never mentioned a Drew to me. Maybe she changed the name for the song.”

I thought about what he had just said. I had never heard this song before, so it must have been written somewhat recently, which had to mean that she started liking this kid within the past few months. Who had she liked recently? Then, it hit me.

It was me. The song was about me.

The song was called “Teardrops on my Guitar”; I had made her cry. I never realized that I hurt her that much.

Before I really had time to think about it, the woman with the long brown hair came back onstage to introduce us. “Give it up for All Time Low!” she said, keeping it short. We ran onstage and immediately began to sing “Lost In Stereo.”

“She works for the weekend
Mixtape of her favorite bands
Turning up the radio
Lost in the stereo, sound
She's trouble in a tank top
Pretty little time bomb
Blowin' up
Take you down
Living in the radio
Lost in stereo, sound...”

“Baltimore, you are fucking amazing,” I said as we ended the song. Everyone cheered. “Give it up one more time for Taylor Swift!” The cheers grew even louder. “She’s my best friend. We’ve been friends since we were little. Soon we’re going to graduate high school and things are going to change. This next one’s called ‘Weightless’.”

“Manage me I'm a mess
Turn a page, I'm a book
Half unread
I wanna be laughed at
Laughed with, just because
I wanna feel weightless
And that should be enough...”

“Holy shit, that was insane,” Jack said into his microphone. “Baltimore, I’ve missed you! It’s been too long since we have been together. I would gladly have sex with all of you right now. Come find me after the concert and we can all have one massive orgy. How does that sound?” Every single girl in the room screamed. “Speaking of orgies, you know how they say ‘men are from Mars and women are from Venus’? Well, if you think about it, ‘Venus’ is like ‘penis’ and ‘vagina’ put together like having sex. Maybe we all come from Venus because we are all a result of our parents fucking each other.” While he was explaining his theory, he touched his left index finger to his left thumb to form an “O” and stuck his right index finger through the “O” to demonstrate the action. Everyone in the audience laughed.

“Jack is just saying that because he wants to get laid tonight,” I said, trying to hold back laughter. The girls continued to cheer. “Don’t fall for his tricks though. He only wants a one-night stand because he’s a man whore. For this next song, I want to see every single one of you off your feet. It’s called ‘Break Your Little Heart’ because Jack is a heartbreaking man whore. Let’s have a fucking dance party.”

“Wide awake, my mistake
So predictable
You were fake, I was great
Nothing personal
I'm walking
Who's laughing now?
(Who's laughing, who's laughing now?)
I'm wasted, wasting time
You talk for hours
But you're wasting lines
A pretty face but the chase
Ain't worth the prize...”

“Now that was a party!” I said as the song ended. “It’s so good to be playing for you guys again. Usually, I just play for Jack’s mom when we’re in the bedroom at night, but I like playing for you guys too. She gives me special treats when I’m a good boy, right Joyce? Where are you?” I searched the audience and found her standing off to the side and blowing me a kiss. The crowd began to cheer again.

“Mom!” Jack yelled pretending to be surprised. “Your vagina should only be open to Dad, not the public.”

“Uhm anyway,” Zack said awkwardly into the microphone and everyone laughed. “This one is called ‘Jasey Rae’.”

“We’ve decided to change it up a little bit and play this one acoustically if that’s cool with you,” I said. I heard a loud cheer as an answer, so someone walked onstage and handed Zack an acoustic guitar.

“The lights out,
I still hear the rain,
These images that fill my head,
Now keep my fingers from making mistakes,
Tell my voice what it takes,
To speak up,
Speak up,
and keep my conscience clear when I wake...”

During the song, people took out their cell phones, lighters, or anything with a light really and began waving them slowly back and forth in the air. “You guys fucking blow me away,” I said at the end of the song. “I know this might sound kind of corny, but I’ve always wanted to sing a song and have everyone in the audience wave a lighter in the air. You have no idea how cool it looks from up here, so thank you.” Now, for this next song, most of you should know the words, so I want to hear your beautiful voices singing along. It’s about a stripper, so if you feel like taking your clothes off, go right ahead. Jack needs some new bras because he said his boobs are getting saggy, so maybe you could give him some of yours.”

“I got your picture
I'm coming with you
Dear Maria, count me in
There's a story at the bottom of this bottle
And I'm the pen...”

While I was singing, I noticed numerous bras come flying at the stage. At the end, Jack walked around and picked them up. “Thanks,” he said as he piled them onto his microphone stand. “I’m going to sleep with these tonight and fantasize that I’m sleeping with all of you.”

I turned to Jack and said, “I guess you will have to wash your sheets tomorrow then. Wet dreams can leave stains.”

“It’ll be worth it,” he responded. “Who do you have wet dreams about, Alex?”

“Keira Knightley. Damn, she’s hot. If any of you know her, send her my way. I’ve been saving myself for her.”

“If by saving yourself, you mean losing your virginity when you were sixteen, then you have been doing a pretty good job,” said Jack.

“My physical virginity may be gone, but my heart is still a virgin. I’m waiting for her to come and deflower me with those big brown eyes.

“You can have Keira as long as I get Meghan Fox,” responded Jack.

“Ok deal. And if any of you can bring her to me, we’ll have a threesome. Anyway, unfortunately, this is our last song, but it’s a new one. It’s dedicated to a very special girl out in the audience. Katelyn, I’m so glad you’re here. This is for you. It’s called ‘Six Feet Under The Stars’ and I hope you like it.” My eyes searched for her and I saw that she was standing right up front smiling brightly at me. I always wondered how someone that attractive would want to be with a guy like me.

“Time to lay claim to the evidence
Fingerprints sell me out
But our footprints washed away
From the docks downtown
It's been getting late for days
And I feel myself deserving of a little time off
We can kick it here for hours
And just mouth off about the world
And how we know it's going straight to hell

Pass me another bottle, honey
The Jaeger's so sweet
But if it keeps you around, then I'm down

Meet me on Thames Street
I'll take you out
Though I'm hardly worth your time
In the cold, you look so fierce
But I'm warming up
Because the tension's like a fire
We'll hit South Broadway in a matter of minutes
And like a bad movie, I'll drop a line
Fall in the grave I've been digging myself
But there's room for two
Six feet under the stars

I should have known better than to call you out
(On a night like this, a night like this)
If not for you, I know I'd tear this place to the ground
(But I'm all right like this, all right like this)
I'm gonna roll the dice
Before you sober up and get gone
I'm always in over my head

Thames Street
I'll take you out
Though I'm hardly worth your time
In the cold, you look so fierce
But I'm warming up
Because the tension's like a fire
We'll hit South Broadway in a matter of minutes
And like a bad movie, I'll drop a line
Fall in the grave I've been digging myself
But there's room for two
Six feet under the stars

Time to lay claim to the evidence
Fingerprints sell me out
But our footprints washed away
I'm guilty, but I'm safe for one more day
Overdressed and underage
Do you really need see an ID?
This is embarrassing as hell
But I can cover for it so well
When we're six feet under the stars

Thames Street
I'll take you out
Though I'm hardly worth your time
In the cold you look so fierce
But I'm warming up
Because the tension's like a fire
We'll hit South Broadway in a matter of minutes
And like a bad movie, I'll drop a line
Fall in the grave I've been digging myself
But there's room for two
Six feet under the stars
Six feet under the stars
Six feet under the stars.”

“Thank you so much, Baltimore,” I said as the last chords sounded. “You were a blast. We love you. Peace.” We filed offstage. As soon as I was backstage, Taylor ran up to us with an excited look in her eyes. We heard the crowd chanting, “One more song!” as we left.

“Wait guys! I have an idea,” she said. When she caught our curious expressions, she explained. “Since it’s the holidays, why don’t we all do an encore together? We can sing a Christmas song.”

“Hey, I’m game,” I agreed. Why not? It was the holidays, after all. Plus, it was always fun to sing with Taylor.

Everyone else agreed. “All right, let’s do it,” said Jack.

“You know what else everyone would love?” asked Rian. “We haven’t done ‘Remembering Sunday’ in awhile and I think Taylor would sound great on Juliet’s part. What do you think?”

“I think we should get out there before everyone leaves,” she responded. “Let’s go.” She took my hand and everyone else followed as we ran back onstage.

“Hey everyone!” she said excitedly into the microphone. “Since it’s the holidays, we thought we would give you a little treat: an unplanned encore. How does that sound?” The crowd went wild and she smiled at me.

“We figured that, since Taylor is a girl and we haven’t performed this song in awhile, that we would do ‘Remembering Sunday’. Is that cool?” Everyone cheered, so I began to play the song acoustically.

“He woke up from dreaming and put on his shoes
Starting making his way past 2 in the morning
He hasn't been sober for days
Leaning out into the breeze
Remembering Sunday, he falls to his knees
They had breakfast together
But two eggs don't last
Like the feeling of what he needs...”

When it was Taylor’s turn, she turned to me and sang in a soft, clear voice.

"I'm not coming back, I've done something so terrible
I'm terrified to speak, but you'd expect that from me
I'm mixed up, I'll be blunt; now the rain is
Washing you out of my hair and out of my mind
Keeping an eye on the world,
So many thousands of feet off the ground
I'm over you now I'm at home in the clouds
Towering over your head”

By the time we were done, everyone was cheering and had taken out their lighters again. Damn, how I loved this feeling. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I could never get sick of this.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” said Taylor. “You must be living under a rock if you don’t know this next song, so I want to hear you sing along!” We started playing the beginning chords of “Jingle Bell Rock” and everyone went crazy. Taylor and I alternated verses and then sang together at the end.

“Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun...”

I tried not to laugh as I watched people dancing in the audience. Holiday shows were the best because everyone was so happy.

“Thanks again, Baltimore!” I said. “Be safe and happy holidays.” We all waved and walked off the stage for the last time that night.

I immediately grabbed a bottle of water and a towel to wipe all the sweat off my face.

“That show was killer!” exclaimed Jack.

“Yeah, that audience was amazing,” gushed Taylor. “I am so glad we did that. It was so much fun.”

“I can’t believe we went six months without performing. Let’s not do that again,” I said. Everyone else agreed.

“Excuse me, Mr. Gaskarth.” I turned around when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder and found myself face-to-face with a male stage manager. “There’s a girl named Katelyn waiting for you in the dressing room.”

“Thank you.” I walked to the dressing room and found Katelyn sitting on the black leather couch inside.

“Hey, Baby,” she said getting up and wrapping her arms around my neck and giving me a kiss. “You were amazing tonight.”

“Did you like the song I wrote about you?” I asked, placing my forehead against hers.

“I loved it just like I love you,” she kissed me again, more passionately this time. She tried to take off my shirt, but I stopped her.

“Baby, not here,” I said out of breath.

“Why not?” she pouted. “I want you right now.”

“I know, but I don’t want anyone walking in on us.”

I would never be able to live with myself if Taylor ever walked in on me having sex with Katelyn. I would do everything I could to avoid causing her that trauma.

“I don’t care if anyone walks in on us and neither should you.” She kissed me again and I gently pushed her away.

“I would prefer to wait until we get to somewhere more private,” I said firmly.

She took a step back and looked at my face.

“It’s her, isn’t it, Taylor? She’s the reason why you don’t want to have sex.”

“Part of it, yeah. I don’t want her to walk in because it would be embarrassing and cause unnecessary awkwardness between us.”

“Don’t try to cover it up, Alex.” She was slightly angry now. “I know how she feels about you. She wrote that whole fucking song for you. Don’t pretend you didn’t realize that when you heard it.”

I shrugged. “She’s still my best friend and I still care about her, even if it’s not in the same way she cares about me. I don’t want to hurt her.”

“Or, maybe you just don’t want to sleep with me.”

“Kate, you know that’s not true.”

“Do I? Because you have a funny way of showing it. Lately, everything seems to be about Taylor. What about me?”

“What about you?” I blew up at her. “Ever since Eric died, Taylor has been with me every step of the way. I can’t honestly say the same about you. You did not even call me once to see how I was doing the week I was gone from school. I needed you and you weren’t there. Some girlfriend you are. Taylor, on the other hand, has always put my needs ahead of her own and she has never failed me, not once. She sticks by me even when it hurts her. I don’t deserve to have a friend like her.”

“Why can’t you see it? She’s sticking by you so that she can convince you to break up with me! She has never liked me and she wants you all to herself.”

“Then tell me why, when she saw you with me after the funeral, she told me that she would never make me choose between you and her?”

“It’s simple, really. It’s because she knows that you would choose me and that’s not what she wanted to hear.”

I laughed bitterly. “Wow, I can’t believe you would actually say that. Do you have any idea how conceited you just sounded? You are definitely not the person I thought you were.”

“Look, I’m sorry,” she said. “Can we just forget this ever happened?”

“No! We can’t fucking forget! I can’t believe I was so blind about you all this time. Everyone else was right about you, but I just couldn’t see it. You were manipulating me the whole time.”

“Alex, you know that’s not true!”

“Do I? Because, I mean, you already lied to me and now you are basically trying to make me drop my best friend. In fact, you are the reason that we weren’t talking for two months."

“I never lied to you.”

“Bullshit. You told me that Taylor threatened you to stay away from me. Well, guess what? Now, I know what a lying bitch you are. Everything you just said proved it to me, so good job. You really had me going for awhile.”

“I can’t believe you would think so little of me,” she said in a fake hurt voice.

“You really should save the lies for someone who might actually believe them,” I said coldly. “Now, please get the fuck out of my dressing room. We’re done.”

“Fine,” she said. She slowly walked toward the door, but then she changed her mind and turned back to me with fire in her eyes. “Just so you know, I cheated on you.”

“What?” I said taken off guard.

“Yeah, I cheated on you with Ben Gold. He was better than you will ever be.” She took one last angry look at me and then walked out the door.

I sat dejectedly on the couch. My angel had suddenly turned into the devil, horns and all. Suddenly, I got up and punched the wall with all my might.

“RRRRRAAAAAAHHHHH!!! FUCK!” I screamed. I heard the sound of feet as people came running towards the room. How could that bitch do this to me?