CHAPTER SIX

ALBUM: LOVER • TRACK 1: I FORGOT YOU EXISTED

♡

Jeez, dad. Where are you? I stood outside the campus waiting for my dad to pick me up. People here are scaring me. They're smiling and saying "hi" to me. Is that normal? Or maybe I'm the one who's not normal. Whenever a student waves "hi" or "hello" to me, all I say to them is "me?" then force a weird smile at them. I'm definitely not the normal one here. God, I need to get my shit together. I sighed and slapped my cheeks.

"Woah woah, is this an after-effect of eating a burger? Because if it is, I'm going to ask the school's cook to cook burgers everyday." Steven said behind me that caused me to jump. I looked at him and saw him standing there casually with his backpack and duffel bag, and sporting that amused look on his face.

"Steven... Jesus. How long have you been there?" I sighed while putting my hands on my chest. He chuckled. "Uhh, you know since the moment you're like you've seen a ghost to every person who says "hi" to you. Anyway, why so jumpy, Ellie?"

"I told you, it's Ell--"

"Ellie"

"It's Ell-"

"Ellie. Ellie. Ellie."

"Alright, shut up, Stevie. Why are you here anyway?" I told him with an annoyed tone. I turned my back and look out to the road for my dad. But I see no sign of my dad.

"You called me Stevie. That's a first. I like that. Well, I should be at the practice but I saw you here and you're alone. Thought you need some company." He said and he's already beside me.

"Go to your practice, Steven. My dad will be here soon. I'll be fine." I told him.

"Nope. As a Student Body President, I need to make sure my fellow student, especially you because you're new, should be safe and sound. Not that I'm saying our school isn't a safe pla--"

"You're really an annoying one, aren't you?" I gave him an annoyed look and he just smirked at me. "And you're a different one, do you realize that? A good different by the way." And then he winked at me and I felt my cheeks heat up so I turned away from him. Ugh, dad where are you?!

"To annoy you more, Ellie..." I just ignored him on whatever he's about to say or do, not turning to him. My phone started ringing, not looking on who the caller is because I know it will be my dad.

"Dad! Where are yo--"

"Woah. So I'm your Dad now? Daddy? Oooh. I didn't know you have that kind of kink, Ellie." I heard from the other line. Shocked, I turned around at him.

"Y-you!! H-how? H-how d-did you get my number?!" I exclaimed at him still holding my phone on my ear.

"I told you... As a Student Body President, I have my responsibilities. Now, save my number. If you need me or anything, just call me. Okay?" He smiled at me and hang up the phone.

I sighed heavily and closed my eyes trying to calm myself. I opened my eyes again and saw him giving me an innocent smile. I just shook my head, "You know before you showed up here, I forgot that you existed."

"And you thought that it would kill you but it didn't?" He nonchalantly mumbled.

Wait, what?! I turned my head at him as fast as Usain Bolt that I almost broke my neck and he, himself, was also shocked with what he just said. "Did you just drop a Taylor Swift lyrics?"

"W-what? N-no!" He said as he tried to clear his throat. "I mean, she's cool but I'm not her fan!" He defended.

I blinked at him, "I didn't ask if you're a fan. But..." I felt a smile starting to creep out of my face, "...but you sound like one. Is our Stevie a Swiftie?"

"What!? Elle, no! What the hell are you talking about?" He denied and let out a fake laugh. I laughed at his tomato face. "What's wrong with liking or loving Taylor Swift? She's everything. I love her too with all my heart!" I told him.

"You like TSwift songs too?" He asked and his eyes went wide with realization. I smiled at him, "Stevie... It's fine. Don't be ashamed."

He sighed, "You're the first person to know about this, Ellie. I'll do whatever you want just... just don't tell the others."

I gave him a confused look. I mean, why keeping to himself that he's a Taylor Swift fan a big deal to him.

As I was about to say something to him, a honk got our attention. It's my dad.

"Hey, schoolgirl!" My dad shouted from the car and I waved at him. He furrowed his eyebrows when he realized I'm not alone.

"Your ride's here. You should go home, Ellie." He said with an unsure smile. I smiled at him and whispered, "You can trust me. Swifties unite!" He just shook his head and smiled.

I started humming Taylor Swift's I Forgot That You Existed as I started walking to my dad's car while looking back at him with a mischievous smile.

Once I got on the passenger seat, I can't seem to wipe the smile off my face while looking at Steve... or Stevie the Swiftie. When I noticed that my dad has been staring at me, I sighed and rolled my eyes, "He's the Student Body President, dad." He raised his eyebrows and just nodded his head, and finally started driving.

While on our way home, my phone suddenly chimed. When I saw the text, I can't stop the smile forming on my face.

Unknown:

Swifties unite! 🌈🏹💗

STREAM LOVER NOW!

Me:

Yep! It's a ritual!

AND.. BUY LOVER NOW! 🏹💗☁️

Go to your practice, Stevie the Swiftie!

Stevie the Swiftie:

About to hit it!

Just got bombarded by coach, tho. 😅

And if being a Swiftie will have you call me Stevie and act like this to me then I shall stan Taylor Swift harder than ever. 🏹

Me:

🙄 Getcha head on the game, Hayes

"You okay, dear?" My dad asked with a suspicious look. "What?" I turned to him with a smile on my face while still holding my phone. Once I realized I'm still smiling, I cleared my throat and removed the smile from my face, "Oh yeah, I'm fine. I just saw something funny on Twitter." I said, locked my phone and quickly looked outside.

My dad hummed in response but I chose to ignore it. "Music?" Dad asked and I nodded my head.

"Saw this new album on Apple Music. Thought you'd love it. Is it okay if I play it?" I just nodded again.

Once the familiar beat started, I immediately looked at my dad with wide eyes and let out a chuckle. "What?" He asked and then he started singing, "How many days did I spend thinking 'bout how you did me wrong, wrong, wrong?"

I let out a laugh and he laughed too, "What? It's Papa approved! I love it!"

I just shook my head and smiled at him. I love how my dad loves it. I felt my smile grew bigger when I remembered Stevie once again, remembering that he's a Swiftie, which is really rare.

I shook my head and shook the thoughts of Stevie... No, Steve not Stevie. I felt my cheeks getting hotter and shook my head again. I looked at my dad who's enjoying the song and decided to sing with him in hopes to forget Stevie, shit I mean Steve.

♪ "But you showed who you are, then one magical night" ♪

Oh c'mon, Taylor. Not you too, girl. Ugh.