Chapter 2: Getting in the Car

[Chapter 2: Getting in the Car]

This deja vu felt exceptionally powerful, maybe the most intense since his arrival in this world. "Maybe we've seen each other before?" Ryan blurted out instinctively.

Both Trey and the tall, golden-haired girl paused, exchanging knowing smiles.

"You need to learn a a newer way of picking up, Benjamin Button," Taylor teased, moving aside to let them in.

As they entered the record label's interior, one wall proudly displayed Taylor Swift's first album's RIAA platinum and million-selling certifications, marked with a date from November 2007.

One million sales? Ryan mused, even in the most conservative estimates, the girl before him must surely be a millionaire.

At the same time, Taylor Swift stole a few glances at Ryan.

To be honest, when she agreed to Trey's request last night, she hadn't expected too much from the music video's leading man today.

Yet, she was pleasantly surprised to find him strikingly handsome, reminiscent of a youthful James Franco, with broad shoulders -- quite impressive considering she had heard from Trey that he left school last year to model.

Taylor swept her gaze up and down Ryan.

"Do you like working out?" she inquired.

Ryan shook his head, "Not entirely. I was a football player in school, but then I got scouted by Next and worked as a commercial model for a while."

He mentioned the modeling agency he signed with.

So, was the next step an invitation to what they called the "backroom" for a casting session? If he guessed correctly, there should be a couch in there somewhere. Ryan's thoughts drifted.

But then Taylor shook her head, sighed, "As much as I'd hate to, I must apologize. Unfortunately, you may not be able to be the leading man. The circumstances have changed."

"What?" Trey asked, surprised.

Taylor looked a bit embarrassed but was firm.

"I didn't foresee it changing, and I'm truly sorry, Trey. This won't affect our relationship, right?" Taylor added.

"Of course not. I know the competition for the lead role could be fierce, but... what about a cameo? You know his mother is very close to me, much like you are with Abigail; you can understand, right?" Trey asked with hope.

"Well... perhaps... but..." Taylor deliberated.

Seeing that Taylor was ready to decline, Ryan piped up, "It's okay, thank you for your time."

Trey had not only encouraged the original protagonist to move to Nashville but had also helped him apply for the show and sort out the return to high school paperwork. He didn't want to burden her any further.

...

As Ryan left the record label with Trey, he couldn't shake off the feeling of disappointment.

If the original protagonist's earlier elimination had been regarded as sheer bad luck, getting to know talented contemporaries like Taylor only reminded him that some gaps couldn't be bridged by mere effort.

Some country singers might never write a number-one hit in their careers. Others, however, could whip up a tune in a few minutes to fulfill an art assignment.

With a mindset of making the best of the situation, Ryan decided to focus primarily on his studies for the next two years, aiming for a top college. He shared this sentiment with Trey.

"It is such a relief to hear you say that," Trey remarked, knowing this young man had faced hardship, and with his biological mother starting a new family with her children, she couldn't stand seeing him fall further into decline. That was why she had chosen to take him in.

"Want to celebrate tonight?"

"Celebrate getting rejected?" Ryan chuckled.

...

He didn't go back with Trey; instead, he took a stroll in the area known as Music Row. At first glance, it looked just like any other neighborhood. Upon closer inspection, however, he noticed the luggage people were dragging contained various musical instruments, and recording studios and record labels dotted the streets.

As Ryan admired this hub of the music industry, a huge red Toyota Sequoia SUV pulled out from a nearby parking lot, making a jarring screech as it made a sharp turn. Immediately, a tall blonde exited the driver's seat, only to accidentally scrape the car door against the metal fence, leaving deep scratches in the black paint.

Ryan couldn't help but smirk, especially after recognizing who was at the wheel.

In the next moment, the blonde driver lifted her head and caught Ryan's smiling gaze from across the street, causing her to look quite annoyed.

When she signaled for help, Ryan hesitated but ultimately decided to walk over, considering her partnership with Trey.

"Usually, it's my mom driving this car, but today she took them to watch an NCAA game at Vanderbilt and won't be back until later. I'm not really good at driving manual," Taylor explained from the passenger seat.

"This isn't about manual driving; you just didn't pay attention," Ryan bluntly revealed.

"Anyway, I was thrown off. I'm actually a decent driver; at least, I am with automatic," Taylor muttered softly.

...

After Ryan carefully drove the car out, Taylor offered him a ride, though it turned out to be Ryan behind the wheel again.

"The modeling world is pretty chaotic, right?" Taylor inquired, recalling his previous profession.

"Of course. People maintain a respectful demeanor outwardly, but privately...," Ryan began thoughtfully.

"Tell me something scandalous," Taylor said, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

"Well, models typically don't earn money from runway shows; most maintain long-term 'connections' with wealthy patrons. It's a massive segment of the market for many agencies. As soon as they make it to one of the four major fashion weeks, their value skyrockets..."

"And you?" Taylor asked with a smile.

"That's where the difference lies. I wanted to become a country singer, which is why I moved to Nashville," Ryan stated, slightly concealing parts of his past.

"But you don't have any advantage in this regard. I've heard those songs you've written -- they're utterly lacking in musicality," Taylor shook her head, effectively passing a death sentence on Ryan's music career.

"You have skills in other areas," Taylor added, resting her elbow on the center console.

"Exactly! So you know some renowned female producers, right? I'm willing to do anything for a hit single," Ryan responded with utmost seriousness, knowing he was speaking to the right person.

Taylor picked up on the underlying implication and chuckled, "Actually, the only reason you can't appear in the music video is that Scott (the head of Big Machine Records) scrapped the entire project. I just found out this morning, so I can only apologize to you."

"So, you're still satisfied with me?" Ryan picked up on a key point.

"I...," Taylor started, momentarily lost for words. Then she stole a glance at Ryan and smiled shyly.

She couldn't deny the truth; someone like Ryan, with a physique that was built and attractive, was exactly her type.

"Have you thought about how you're going to make it up to me?" Ryan pressed on, pressing the accelerator as the massive Sequoia sped through the Nashville suburbs.

"Make it up? Wait, hey, it was Scott who canceled the budget; he's the one you need to talk to," Taylor argued back.

"But it was you who made the promise."

"I only agreed to Trey. Where are you taking me?" Taylor realized the vehicle was swiftly headed away from her home.

"Take me home; I'm not kidding," Taylor replied, now fully upright, her back straightening as she scanned the surroundings anxiously through the window.

*****

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