Chapter 184: The T-Party
[Chapter 184: The T-Party]
St. Louis, Missouri, Scottrade Center.
"The show was a huge success! I just got back from the exit, and so many people were waiting for my autograph. I signed for a good forty minutes! The venue was completely full! I can't believe all these people came just for me!" Taylor's excited voice came through the phone.
"This morning, I even went to the city council, and they officially named today after me. They also gave me the honorary key to the city!
They're even hoping I can add a few more shows or come back next tour. And we're already talking about the next time before this one even wrapped up.
I really wish you could see all of this," Taylor concluded.
"I'll be waiting for you in Missouri. The stage is already set up; this is home to the St. Louis Blues (ice hockey team), and it has a seating capacity of eighteen thousand." Ryan stood alone in a quiet corner while only the last crew members and a few management staff remained to finalize the big screen setup.
"I'm so tired. I need to get to bed early tonight. I have to head to Jonesboro first thing in the morning," Taylor yawned on the other end.
"Remember to clean your butt tomorrow night!"
"Go to hell! I'm not cleaning anything," Taylor chuckled over the phone.
"By the way, I invited a few friends to come to my concert in St. Louis. They came in a day early. You're going to have to help me host them. Emma Stone, Dianna Agron, Selena, and Karlie are all coming."
How am I supposed to host that many people? Do I still have a job to do? Ryan thought to himself, realizing that inviting those girls over was just adding chaos to his day.
"This is a huge deal; of course, they have to come see it! Plus, you're going to be there, so it's settled." Taylor hung up the call.
...
Ryan put down the phone and noticed a crew member approaching with an update: they had finished laying down the big screen.
"Great work! After the tests tomorrow, you can get a break for two days. We have another show in South Carolina in five days." Ryan said.
The crew member nodded.
"Want to grab a late-night bite?" Ryan glanced at the worker. Ryan always treated those who worked late with a meal on him.
He led the crew to a nearby 24-hour diner, treating them to a hearty meal.
...
The next afternoon, a few women arrived at the stage, which was still being prepared. They were Taylor's friends.
As Ryan talked with the crew, he heard a few girls giggling nearby.
"Palm Beach Thirteen?" Emma Stone raised her eyebrows at Ryan.
Mentioning it only made them laugh harder.
"What are you talking about? There are still two 'girls' here," Ryan chuckled.
Among these four women, Selena and Karlie were still virgins, quite a rarity in such groups. "It has nothing to do with us anyway; it's Taylor who has to bear it anyway," Selena added, joining the laughter.
Ryan then noticed Karlie Kloss, who sported a new short hairstyle.
"When your sister is finally overwhelmed, maybe it'll be your turn to step up," Ryan teased.
"Oh, I've already recorded that! I'll play it for Taylor when she gets here."
"Karlie's asked about you a lot, so you never know!" Emma and Dianna chimed in.
Karlie quickly looked awkward. "Let's skip this topic."
"Skip what? You wouldn't happen to be into Ryan, would you? Be careful or Taylor might jump out and smack you," Selena added with a smirk.
Ryan didn't have time for these flirtatious games; he turned to watch the construction site again as the women loitered for a bit before leaving, likely to explore the bustling city. St. Louis, situated at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers while bordering Illinois, was indeed a thriving urban center.
...
That evening, the four women stood in a private box at the Scotttrade Center, watching as Taylor ascended the stage in her military style outfit.
With the audience cheering loudly, Taylor launched into the chorus of You Belong With Me, displaying her signature "arm dance" moves before she took the mic down a notch, joyfully running to the edge of the stage, slightly leaning back, tapping her heel to the beat, and waving her free hand like a 'fairy in flight' before she reached the front of the stage, revealing her shimmering silver fringed dress. The entire crowd chanted Taylor's name in unison.
As she moved into the second verse, Taylor returned for the Swarovski custom guitar and headed to center stage. With the band's accompaniment, she rocked back and forth, her hair perfectly bouncing alongside her dazzling outfit, before lifting her guitar skyward to show the sparkle in her eyes.
The applause was thunderous, a completely different level of enthusiasm from what Ryan experienced.
In a corner unnoticed by the crowd, backup dancers began helping band members take off their military-like uniforms to reveal modern country attire, prepping for the next song.
...
"She's definitely becoming a big star!" Emma exclaimed.
The younger Selena and Karlie immediately showed envy in their expressions.
Dianna kept a polite smile but her expression suggested a deeper intrigue.
...
Taylor didn't exit the stage. With a few rhythmic taps on the floor, the band launched into the intro for Our Song.
She performed five songs in a row, including Tell Me Why, Teardrops On My Guitar, and Fearless, all while enthusiastically spinning with her guitar.
When the upbeat numbers concluded and the spotlight dimmed momentarily, Taylor had already settled on a high stool, switching to slower ballads like Fifteen, Tim McGraw, and White Horse.
In the third segment, both Taylor and the dancers adorned stunning medieval-style gowns, while the backup dancers waltzed, allowing Taylor to center herself for Love Story.
Just before the final segment, an unexpected guest took the stage -- it was Ryan. He treated Taylor to a rendition of Wake Me Up, to give her a brief rest, and then performed the same Grammy performance with Taylor, who changed into a black dress.
Ryan and Taylor engaged in at least fifteen minutes of lively audience interaction, with the concert ultimately wrapping up with an energetic Should've Said No. The ceiling rained down, creating a "torrential downpour" effect, soaking Taylor, along with her puffy curls.
As her flying kiss signaled the end of the show, it left the audience electrified.
...
"What's Taylor's mom doing?" eagle-eyed Emma Stone noticed Taylor's mom chatting with some fans in the crowd, hinting at possible post-show activities.
...
Backstage, Taylor was immediately bundled up in a towel that Ryan had opened for her.
With her damp hair against him, Taylor snuggled closer to Ryan, and they both headed into the women's dressing room.
"Even though I sang the same songs three times, every crowd is different -- it's like a whole new experience," she remarked excitedly while drying her hair.
It was no wonder she was the tour queen, having performed over two hundred shows.
After changing into a striking red mini dress and slipping into high heels, she began blow-drying her hair.
"Are you coming to an important event with me later?" Taylor asked.
"What event?"
"T-party!"
*****
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