In The Clear - Out Of The Woods Sequel - A Taylor Swift Fanfiction

Chapter 28: Making Music

Trigger warning: eating disorder recovery talk (nothing specific just emotional stuff)

The next day, after Madison's first therapy appointment, the atmosphere in the house was thick with anticipation. Taylor and Travis were anxiously waiting on the living room sofa, not sure what to expect. When she left, she was nervous, and Taylor fully expected her to storm out in the middle of the appointment and come back early. But a full hour went by, and Madison still wasn't home, which could've meant she attended the full session. Taylor hoped she did - for her own sake.

When Madison finally walked through the door, her expression was a storm cloud of emotions. Her steps were quick and determined as she bypassed the living room, avoiding to look at her parents. "I don't want to talk about it," she said, her voice almost breaking, before disappearing into her room.

The silence that followed was heavy.

"You think something else happened?" Travis asked, his gaze still lingering on the hallway.

Taylor shook her head, "therapy is tough. She is probably just feeling overwhelmed. I'll go talk to her."

Taylor, after giving Madison a few moments alone, rose from her seat. She knew all too well how therapy could make you feel all sorts of feelings, especially in the beginning. With a gentle knock, Taylor entered Madison's room to find her sitting on the window bench, staring at the nature outside.

"Honey, can you come with me? There's something I want to show you," Taylor said, her voice soft but carrying an undercurrent of something more, a hint of a plan.

Madison looked up, her eyes wary and red-rimmed. "I really don't feel like doing anything right now, mom," she replied, the defeat in her voice breaking Taylor's heart.

"I know, sweetie. But trust me, okay? Just this once," Taylor urged, extending her hand with a promise of understanding and support.
Reluctantly, Madison took her mother's hand, allowing herself to be led out of the sanctity of her room and down the hall. They arrived at the music room, a space filled with instruments, recording equipment - this was Taylor's sanctuary.

"What are we doing here?" Madison asked, her curiosity piqued despite her earlier resolve to shut out the world.

"We're going to write a song," Taylor announced, her eyes alight with a spark of inspiration. "About today, about everything you're feeling. It doesn't have to be perfect or even make sense to anyone else. But I think it might help to get some of it out. Music is my therapy and I know it can be yours too."

Madison hesitated, the idea of putting her turmoil into words and music both daunting and strangely appealing. "I don't even know where to start," she admitted, her voice a whisper.

"Start with how you felt walking out of that appointment, or even walking in. Start with a single word, a feeling, a thought. Anything. I'll be right here with you," Taylor encouraged, picking up a guitar and strumming a few chords, filling the room with a soothing melody that was waiting to be accompanied with words.

As the notes floated around them, Madison found herself drawn into the music, her mother's presence a comforting constant at her side. Slowly, hesitantly, she began to speak, her words faltering at first but gaining strength as she continued.

"Fear. Just, feeling uncertain of anything. It's like, you're walking into something and expecting it to fix your problems, but you still walk out feeling absolutely crap. And you feel so... visible. Like everyone knows you're walking to talk to someone about your stupid feelings."

Taylor listened, her fingers translating emotions into music, weaving Madison's raw, unfiltered experiences into a melody that was both haunting and beautiful. She knew Madison didn't want her to reply with advice - this was her time to let out whatever she's been holding in.
After listening to Taylor's haunting melody, Madison began feeling inspired.