The car ride is silent except for the engine being gunned by Demi's lunatic driving. I tighten one hand around my seatbelt and grit my teeth as she ignores yet another stop sign. How can you miss a neon red beacon of safety?copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5FaQK3R3Q
"You know they call them STOP signs for a reason, right?" I snap as she continues to race through the streets. "Besides, this isn't fucking Need For Speed: Celebrity Edition or Fast and Furious 25!"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR4OURp8Fx
I smirk as her jaw twitches. At least I get a reaction out of her, and she's not completely ignoring me.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN00qJywPv
When we finally arrive at the mansion, I open my car door before Demi can even park.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNtHn2Hyuj
"Land!" I dramatically exclaim, dropping down onto the pavement. "Oh, sweet, blessed land!" I feign grateful tears and a sniffle.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡzisPlM5EXW
"You're so dramatic," Jordan chuckles.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrHPj11RqY
"Where'd Demi go?" I wonder, accepting Jordan's outstretched hand.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIKV28IMpB
"She went inside."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l7eHagwb3
"You mean she missed my performance?" I feign a whiny tone and a pout.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMrHdiLQCQ
I sweep off my leggings and skirt, flicking away particles of rock and strips of grass.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡq01ZCMvtNm
"You can give her an encore later," Jordan rolls her eyes, holding my hand and yanking me behind her.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡQryZEMTWWl
"It's never as good the second time!" I protest.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pQcd9BOH5
"That's what she said." copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6D2UZqkUE
I blink at the back of her head.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZQiN73FAT
"For a virgin, you sure do have a dirty mind," I observe.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uJKHFPDPp
"Hey!" Is her defense as we reach the front door.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lL5Dz2we4
"Hey," I drawl out, much like Ke$ha in Your L♥ve Is My Drug, with a wink.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeLKkWoisL
With a shake of her head, she pushes the door open. Instantly I feel as if I am being drowned by a familiar, sweet, burning smell. Jordan coughs. I rapidly blink as my eyes begin to water.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GKunJVZsK
"What's that smell?" Jordan coughs again.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEGqdHs4fv
"Alcohol and, by your reaction, I can tell that you're not too used to being near it."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgYgN5H6tt
"And you are?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vil1FBZvn
I don't answer, allowing her to come to her own conclusion.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuurxGIlSw
"He never drinks when I'm around," she mumbles more to herself than to me.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvKCHgf4Ei
I peek at her through my peripheral vision. Her head is bowed, hair cascading down to conceal her expression. With a frown, I tuck locks of her hair behind her ear and tilt her head upwards. Her eyes are red and glassy.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7WQJBqB1U
"It's going to be okay, Jordan," I reassure, feeling rather pathetic.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡKipu9a8lM0
She shakes her head, tears spilling over her eyelids.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYg0RwMsKI
"We could eavesdrop on them?" I suggest, trying to lighten the solemn mood.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTAaUjU8Pd
With a strangled sounding, watery laugh, she nods.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYzzBnHTR9
"Why not?" She shrugs with a sniffle, wiping the few tears that managed to escape.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mvRskBITw
We perch ourselves just outside Demi's closed bedroom door, obscured by the wall. I clamp my hand over Jordan's mouth to restrain her from laughing.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ758PpnE1wp
"Evidently, you're not used to performing rebellious acts of stupidity either," I hiss as she giggles against my palm.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWtB17cqWY
"I was out with the girls, Wilmer!" Demi yells, sounding quite exasperated.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPVWfYC9C1
How long have they been arguing? Since we got home? I suddenly don't feel like eavesdropping anymore. That bad feeling returns, causing an uneasy shiver to run throughout me. I look at Jordan. Her eyes are wide. She unexpectedly licks my hand. Scrunching my nose up in disgust, I wipe my now saliva drenched palm against the wall. I shoot daggers at her before wiping the same hand against the front of her shirt. She gapes at me. I smirk.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5d8Ke3ctU
"Then, why don't I believe you, Demi?" Wilmer bellows, diminishing the playful attitudes of Jordan and me.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK2ADzEbsF
"Go upstairs, Jordan," I sternly order.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XYvuUzZY4
"But-,"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6S0wgaBJM
"Now!" I snap without meaning to. copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNg72r1MhE
With slight hesitation, she reluctantly hurries upstairs. I strain my ears to make sure that I hear her door shut. I release a relieved breath when I do hear it.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr2AQML7zx
"Hell if I know, Wilmer! You leave for days at a time, and I don't fucking interrogate you!"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYYpWBmXM8
I chew thoughtfully on my bottom lip, wondering what I should do. I can follow Jordan upstairs, stay here, or intervene. As I ponder my options, a sound that I know all too well pierces the silence. Throwing all caution to the wind, I barge into Demi's bedroom and freeze after I barely step through the doorframe. Wilmer towers over Demi while she clutches her cheek. By his slightly staggering stance and glazed over, bloodshot eyes, I can make the assumption that's he's way past drunk. Perfect. I count several seemingly empty beer bottles on the nightstand and what appears to be a full, unopened one tossed on the comforter of the bed. Just. Fucking. Perfect.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcUBHgfoPX
"Go upstairs, Bailey," Demi commands in a calm yet scary as hell tone.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXE0ORFSM8
"You're fucking kidding me, right? He just fucking slapped you, and you want me to go cower upstairs? To hell with that shit!"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡCztIQXEepk
I think the last thread of my sanity has just snapped. I'm loosing my mind; I'm going crazy.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qdhwarJgL
"Bailey, go upstairs. Now," she demands through gritted teeth.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR9qVyDRAC
I roll my eyes, ignoring her and turning my attention to the lowlife that is my half-sister's dad.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpchgyWEb8
"You're a coward," I state, my fists clenched at my sides. "You have no right to brutally put your hands on someone, let alone your own wife, who you don't deserve, might I add, and especially not with your child right upstairs," I growl, frustrated that he's not showing a sliver of remourse or guilt or.....something other than that infuriating smirk and relaxed expression. "I can see why she cheated on you," I flash him a wide smirk of my own.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEIXWA6mHB
Some may call me heartless for spilling Demi's secret, but I don't exactly recall her saying something along the lines of 'Bailey, please don't tell my husband about me going behind his back and kissing Nick Jonas.' If I'm wrong, show me the proof. As they say, the proof is in the pudding. Which reminds me, I never have understood that phrase. I mean, what pudding: chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch, tapioca, rice, pumpkin....you get where I'm going with this. And why would the proof even be in the pudding to begin with? Talk about a horrible hiding spot. Now, back to the action, but first, I could really go for some pudding right now.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw4nwgVrvl
In a blink, I see him grab the bottle from the bed. Gripping the neck of the bottle in his fist, he flicks his wrist in my direction. With a yelp and wide eyes, I crouch and duck, tucking my face and head into my knees and thighs, shielding as much of my head as I possibly can with my leather cladded arms and bare hands. To my dismay, a pathetic scream-like cry slips past my lips as the foul smelling liquid drenches me, and the sharp, glass shards bite into my exposed flesh and rain down upon my body.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2NzTSwWYU
It was my first and last "real" home, yet, by the way I was being bouced around from household to household within their family, it felt as if I was a foster kid, not adopted. I remember the evening vividely. I was maybe seven or eight at the time. I was at one of the uncles' houses. Both of the adults were out, leaving myself and their three young children to be watched over by their oldest, Jasmine, who was sixteen. I recall my stomach aching terribly from not having ate anything since two mornings ago. The three other children were complaining about being hungry as well, even though they were fed three times a day like children should be. I was the oldest of the the four; therefore, I was the one who had to ask Jasmine to fix us something to eat.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4cJUU3zeZ
"Jazzy?" I timidly questioned, knocking lightly on her door.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCYTw3RSi6
"Go away," she sniffled.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡChbpKdbHf7
"Jazzy, we're hungry," I whined.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡICVZJaSnCN
"Go away!"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjisiMopih
After several attempts, I managed to successfully turn the knob by standing on the tips of my toes. Pushing the door open, I discovered that Jasmine had her back turned towards myself and the door,the ridges, crooks, and bumps of her spine visible through her dark purple tee-shirt. I innocently skipped over to her, but stopped dead in my tracks at the intriguing yet difficult to comprehend sight in front of me. Although her long, black hair hid her face, it did nothing to hide her pale arm, littered with lines of many diffferent colors and sizes. My eyes, however, were transfixed on the crimson blood, that contrasted heavily with her pale flesh, flowing freely from several lines on her wrist, right over the blue. I was about to ask her if she was okay when she suddenly emitted a loud growl like scream, a scream that sounded as if it should have been released from a wild animal. She roughly shoved me, pushing me back against her closed closet doors. She reached up to her desk and grabbed an empty, green, see-through bottle. She flung it just above my head. I cried as the shards embedded into my skin: biting, scratching, digging, clawing. I sobbed harder as my blood splattered in tiny droplets against the hard wood floor.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYGi9yZs1j
"I'lll show you how to end the pain, Hailey," Jasmine cooed, grabbing my wrist.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2bMAG57yB
I thought she was going to stop the bleeding that she caused. Instead, she picked up one of the many glass shards, placed it against the skin on my forearm, pushed slightly, and yanked the shard across my arm. I screamed from the burning pain she was putting me through. I wanted it to end; I wanted her to stop, but she just kept inflicting cut after cut. She didn't even bat an eye at my bawling pleads.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXeDM30siE
"You'll thank me one day," she grinned, dropping the bloody piece of glass, scooping me up, and taking me to the bathroom to get cleaned up.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kJ9v6XhSI
"Bailey, stop screaming!" Demi's pleading voice breaks through my gruesome flashback, causing my inner demons to scamper away to the deepest, darkest pits of my mind.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFB3Ihh19x
Snapping my eyes open, my throat aches dreadfully, my voice is hoarse, and my mouth is like the Sierra Desert. My breathing comes out in heavy pants, my cheeks sticky and moist. When did I start crying? I never cry! It shows vulerablity and weakness, two charactersistics i despise about myself. Demi sits behind me, running her fingers through my hair, gently freeing the tangles.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR1XVC3AM6
"I'm sorry that I told him," I reluctantly mumble, pretending as if my trip down memory lane never happened.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lcTHritmw
In reality, I'm not sorry. Not the slightest bit. That asshole deserved a hell of a lot worse than what I gave him. Demi chuckles.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMRMUt5kmA
"I can't believe that's the first thing that comes out of your mouth."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW4B0eY2IV
"Where is he?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w5i7vAZzq
"He ran when you started screaming bloody murder," she replies, managing to easily work through a major tangle.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnHFer5vPa
"Fucking pu-,"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4bIbGy5Pl
"Language!"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdIO7fTnMy
"Fucking coward," I smirk. "You should go check on Jordan."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcb2f3czwz
"You sure?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡheJzeO37ou
I nod, my throat burning from talking so much. Demi helps me to my feet. I gasp when I see her face. copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡys8NRnj3ot
"What the hell?" I shriek. "He hit you while I was in fucking la la land?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IYxwIJ1zC
I feel a wave of guilt wash over me as I take in the sight of Demi's split, slightly bleeding bottom lip and her eye that'll probably be black by morning.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUgsVyaF4u
"Don't worry, I returned the message," she winks with her good eye before exiting the room.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡpODWaBZHbf
I can't help but smile at how badass she, my own mother, is. I glance around the room uneasily, eyeing the bottles that still sit on the nightstand. The broken glass crunches under my boots as I hurry out of the room. I'm in route to follow Demi upstairs when I see her purse sitting on the dining room table. I experience an epiphany as a devious grin forms on my face. I rummage through the purse, soon locating Demi's phone. I lock myself in the downstairs bathroom and scroll through her contacts until I find the number that I need.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsUg6x72aT
"Hel-,"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT01VwyyRC
"Nick, get your ass over here now."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuoXFzB7aW
"Demi?" He warily questions.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxxKMDfFlG
"No, it's Bailey," I roll my eyes.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq3r2MxP7Q
Why would he even think that I'm Demi? Oh, wait, the phone..... I mentally face palm myself for being so stupid. Do Demi and I honestly sound so much alike, though?copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhUBw2uJtE
"Where am I going?" He wonders, following by the sound of what I think is a car door being slammed shut.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xfjnjf9yo
I raise my eyebrows at his eagerness and serious yet slightly worried tone. He must really care about Demi or something because nobody ever jumps for me when I ask...er...tell them to. Maybe if I was nicer to people, they'd be more willing to do what I say? I almost snort. Like I'd ever be voluntarily nice to someone without wanting something in return. That's hilarious.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡiilIR6fBQO
"Demi's house."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ2kv495CK
"Why? He inquires.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2sPnK7Usu
I can hear the engine of his car start.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyXZHBkIRL
"Why?" He repeats when I hesitate.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHJc8IArsr
"I-I-I, uh, it's not my story to tell."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwbci9ebzY
"Did something happen?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7jtJtyGaE
"You could say that," I mutter.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡocXOdou4YF
"What happened? And tell me the truth," he adds just as I am about to lie.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpA4JFgA9P
I sigh, deciding to just tell him the truth before he comes over here and has a heart attack at the sight of Demi.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHpMbqFwFV
"He hit her, Nick," I sigh again, intentionally leaving out my pathetic meltdown and cringing when my voice crackscopyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡieHtfnys83
"Who?" He questions in a pissed off sounding tone.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I0YMbje57
"Who do you think?" I sarcastically retort.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5u4dKKSDu
"Fucking bastard," he curses under his breath in a quite enraged voice.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d4nEzxE7s
Maybe pissed off is a bit of an understatement.....copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UcQdw4jJl
"I'll be there in five, ten at the latest," he dissmisses, ending the call.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMga8ylusm
I don't even get the chance to correct him by saying that it takes five minutes just to drive up Demi's driveway. I clean my scratched hands, erase my call from Demi's phone, and sneakingly return her phone to her purse without getting caught. I head upstairs to Jordan's room.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCvEP4Tgpr
"What took you so long?" Demi wonders.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ1saenf7Z
I just shrug and climb onto the bed with them. Demi sits with her back against the wall, one arm wrapped around Jordan and the other wrapped around me.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG8WPDWG6w
"Mom?" Jordan's voice is timid and hesitant as she fiddles with a loose strand from her comforter.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡVve2PWmhcn
"Yeah, baby-girl?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iNTlZUD0Z
"Have you ever thought about maybe divorcing dad?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoV52fkDE7
The doorbell rings, interrupting Demi's response. Saved by the bell.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRwN2VkRDd
"I'll get it!" I declare, jumping off of the bed and speed-walking to the door.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy7cw4NMBP
"Demi!" I yell, holding the door agape for Nick.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPDEIY3dgK
"What happened to your hands?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnmbVrDhv9
I ignore him.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vyuFOjal4
"What the hell are you doing here?" Demi questions, slowly walking down the stairs with Jordan behind her.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZSt5cNXaH
"What a kind way to greet someone," I sarcastically say.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKMdWOGobe
Nick glances at me and back at Demi.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGvdTwrCEE
"Bailey called me."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjrhgTXdLU
"Dude! Way to throw me under the bus!" I exclaim, throwing my hands up in feigned anger.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAv2IzuhA8
"Why'd you call him?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0ER6fMbZL
I shoot Demi a deadpan look for asking such a stupid question.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBm1fDa0Qm
"Really? Have you looked in a mirror? I don't know about you, but I'm sure as hell not staying here and waiting for round two."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTv5SLWvS6
"I'm with Bailey," Jordan chimes in, joining my side.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6WIYQnMe1
I arch an awaiting eyebrow at Demi. Her eyes shift between all three of us before landing on me.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXMKM5VD4d
"Alright," she sighs.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcT6aq3q0V
"Nick, is it okay if we stay at your place tonight?" I sweetly question.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJesPgT90e
"I didn't agree to that!" Demi protests. copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VyhTAF3Vf
"You said 'alright'," I smirk.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlEEaVEjCz
"You coniving, manipulative little b-,"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡOExxLqqOfp
"Language!" I cut her off, widening my smirk.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUJbmTyM40
"I don't mind. I'd rather you all stay with me, knowing that you're safe than stay here to let God knows what happen to you," Nick responds.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHslePwGFI
"Don't sound so dramatic," Demi sneers.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPERqSPky6
There is definitely some tension between these two; you may call it romantic or sexual or whatever; I just know that there is some sort of tension obviously there. Am I the only one who thinks I would make one badass cupid?copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡRncv9zUSRy
"Jordan, let's go pack a small bag or something," I suggest, grabbing her hand and tugging her up the stairs before she can even respond.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡrybRPpKDwJ
"Why'd you call Nick?" she wonders when we reach my room.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1LdcicIGQ
"Didn't you hear what I told Demi?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8jM1dVdj4
I scour through my closet for a small bag to carry a night worth of stuff in.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYEMMwuOcs
"Well, yeah...."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg7DulCHe4
"Okay, then."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ40CHlvvE
I huff when I come up unsucessful. copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfHVFMN6iN
"Need help with something?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhe8WaEn97
"Do you have a small bag? I only need enough room to carry a change of clothes and a toothbrush."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXp2a9EeRM
Jordan nods and enters the bathroom. I wonder how Demi and Nick are doing downstairs....copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1sgmFyLjS
"Here," Jordan tosses something towards me.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh5fvHCKw6
I catch it and wrinkle my nose in distaste. The large purse is a pink carry-on that doubles as a shoulder-bag because of the long, gold colored chain.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKmOWR2Ppv
"Couldn't you have picked something less......vomit inducing?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxgxJOjbh3
She rolls her eyes.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuXQWBMZ8K
"Black?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCb5kvRwX1
"Preferibly," I nod.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIA7aA7YzW
She removes the girly bag from my grasp and turns to leave again.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDx9WikQSe
"Wait!" I exclaim, causing her to stop. "Do you have any hand sanitizer?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡq78wUAPfG3
With another eye roll, she enters her room through the bathroom. She's gone longer this time; therefore, I'm assuming that she owns a lot of girly shit, the opposite of me.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡE14oHSk24n
"I don't have anything," she returns with a sigh. "We can check mom's room?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGxtenDX2O
"I'll check," I tell her, knowing that Demi and Nick are downstairs. "You pack your bag or something."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqwHRPGuQm
"You two better be thanking me for not letting Jordan come down here," I state, leaning over the stairwell railing and watching as Demi and Nick separate from each other. "You two are like a couple of teenagers," I fake gag.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEQg22FfP8
"What do you want, Bailey?" Demi questions.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lYHc3kF7B
"Well, now that you mention it, one year I asked Santa for a monster truck and a fire-breathing pony. Instead, I got nothing, and he gobbled up the cookies and drank the glass of scotch."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDLWlyCAh0
They both blink at me with perplexed expressions.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiC18pH5EV
"I was told that Santa was lactose intolerant. Plus, in my defense, I thought seeing drunken Santa would make a good mugshot," I shrug.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlrXBoIuHJ
"I mean, what are you doing down here?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo6p7OlgOL
"I need to borrow one of your purses; Jordan's are too girly."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpNzmpZK2q
"Check my closet."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQCNliQg18
"But that's a scary as fuck place! God only knows what I'd find in there!"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLl8V0Oc34
"It's a closet."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtV6BrmAlF
"It's your closet."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj4Ijo3MZR
She drags a hand down her face.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi60WFcbLJ
"C'mon, Bailey," she softly commands, waving me towards her with her hand.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5JeA9UO5f
"Ooh, an adventure!" I practically yell in a childish voice, almost falling down the stairs.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVZXgWTOEF
"I thought we were checking your closet."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGcZe2apHp
"We are."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs9Y8uPp6M
"Then, why do you keep tapping the floor?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvqeoLmxIv
"Shh," she shushes me, proceeding to keep tapping the wood panels on the floor with the tip of her high heel.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23nPVNjKM8
I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. Maybe she really is crazy? Suddenly, I hear something. copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnGjJcpDYa
"Did you hear that?" We ask each other in unison.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI9aYd3uN8
Demi taps the floor again. It sounds hollow.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwlSPZmh83
"Found it," she smirks.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡOppiJgSHWL
I watch in awe as she removes the chunk of boarding from the floor, revealing a space filled with clothes, shoes, accessories, and hair dye.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXfYT19DYo
"What is all of that?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuqRKlSQne
"My actual style," she chuckles. "I used to wear this shit all of the time."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxIeKqVE8T
I raise my eyebrows and grin at her choice of wording.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSMrd5lGLn
"Why'd you stop?" I wonder, crouching to get a better look.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRdsCh1bUy
"Wilmer never liked me being edgy."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡblURgYyQZS
"And the hair dye?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuoiw2V0AQ
"I used to dye it all of the time. I'd go to a salon every time I wanted a new color, but it was easier to buy the boxed dye for touch-ups."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGJeyt5S81
"Hot pink?" I laugh, shaking the box.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rRxFXhMYr
She giggles and nods her head.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnTu2G0OrG
"I shaved it, too, while it was that color."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCYvaivpCU
"No way!" I gasp.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡKifIaoYJdK
"Yes way! A little bit around my ear," she explains, showing with her hands how much she cut off.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZmDZTT2f2
"You were a total badass!"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12e6wdKHcA
She laughs.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQJ09NOgzt
"I just didn't care what other people thought about me."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2qrtHGzcA
"Except Wilmer."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQvoWrIF30
I regret it as soon as I say it. Her beaming grin faltars, and the happy twinkle in her eyes fades. Why am I so stupid? Why can't I just keep my mouth shut?copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRG1suNmMk
"Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the ones we love."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W2MfeSU4p
"But you don't love him."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJR0Q2QbZz
It's official; I'm going to sew my mouth shut.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DPA42AxV4
"It's funny what lies we can convince ourselves are the truth if we just repeat them enough," she thoughtfully informs, searching through her secret stash of attire. "How about this one?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM77PObA1b
She holds up a large, black, barrel-shaped carry-on pursed covered in gold colored spikes.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrlOupl0AX
"Perfect," I smile.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqLwBjcIWO
"Go pack," she orders, handing me the bag. "But just enough for one night; it's not like we're moving in or anything."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡfREPIoAFAZ
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" I smirk.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHWAxldBIN
She shoots me a look.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPvjhtFqlq
"I'm kidding," I giggle, rising to my feet.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOnaXqtS3Y
"Thanks for listening to me and believing me," I smile at Nick on my way upstairs.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lHtyGKZLd
Wow, less than a month with Demi, and I'm already becoming soft.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkWmxwvAQN
"I'll always listen to you, Bailey, and believe you."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS4TJ1y5Qu
I grin, eyeing Demi who's just now entering the room.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXfaavGsxx
"Oh, and if I hear any suspicious noises tonight-,"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡeScXC7ZFoz
"Bailey," Demi warns.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98JQbrrUVi
"I'm just saying-,"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9qoYc2YJ2
"Bailey, go upstairs."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN7cZ8a0n9
"But I-,"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡAteeYcEIPH
"No. Just go upstairs."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwoj310HQo
I roll my eyes with a huff, turning on my heel and bounding the flight of stairs. When at the top, I turn around.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHI37QDLQR
"Just remember to use protection," I wink with a four-fingered wave.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRUJo9R1O7
When in the safety of my room with the door locked, I can't help but bust out laughing.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi9TcxMfHY
"Why are you laughing?" Jordan wonders.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfVQPgMqIc
"No-no rea-reason," I gasp for air.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2AXJIPMPi
Jordan weakly chuckles at me, shaking her head.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpsNpJdtSz
"I swear, sometimes I think I'm the older sister," she mumbles before walking through the bathroom to her own room.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ycrr1ay8T
When I finally regain my breathing, I pack the purse Demi gave me with a pair of pajamas, a casual outfit, my toothbrush, my deodorant, and my perfume. Afterwards, I double check to make sure that my bedroom door is locked, and I lock my bathroom door. I drop down onto my stomach and remove the suitcase from under my bed that holds my blade. I remove the blade from the ripped lining of the suitcase and fish my phone from my pocket. I peel the casing away from my phone just enough to slide my blade in. After fixing the casing on my phone and returning the suitcase to under my bed, I unlock both of the doors and knock on Jordan's door.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrfjiNhMfl
"You ready?" I ask.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡidEvenzjQ1
"Yep," she replies, opening her door.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZime27RHn
"Mom, we're coming down!" she yells, looping her arm through her purse.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUouQLT0CD
"We're goin' down, down, in an earlier round, and sugar, we're goin' down swingin'. I'll be your number one with a bullet. A loaded gun complex, cock it and pull it," I sing loudly. copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOCUh5uVsg
"Huh?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yXMiwDyrJ
"Fall Out Boy; it was a band."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡK11O82Ix7Z
"Sing it again!"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4ceFaMBet
"Why?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaJnHFyq9j
"You're good."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ErSifZXD5
I snort, not believing her for one moment.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUpJZ9es64
"Mom, tell Bailey to sing!"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBATmp0H7y
"Sing, Bailey."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbjudXyu1z
"We're not returning a product from a television commercial. You can ask questions."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZfw1vryOm
"Just sing."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pm3qT5A9j
I sigh before belting out the chorus.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXkgJawKN4
"We're goin' down, down, in an earlier round, and sugar, we're goin' down swingin'. I'll be your number one with a bullet. A loaded gun complex, cock it and pull it."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKyLLmmPVY
Both Demi and Nick look at me with raised eyebrows.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMjeDMpNbD
"In my defense, I didn't want to sing in front of you all. You people insisted, and now your eardrums are probably bleeding."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcQKaKnrcI
"You were really good."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLWc1oMimd
Did Nick fucking Jonas just compliment me? I'm dead. Demi, however, is looking at me with an odd expression.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEPuOCwN7D
"You sound a lot like I did on my first two albums," she comments.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡQicm9FarnV
"Is that good?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeXLlhloxD
"Does your voice always crack like that when you're singing?"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvjIs1qqKl
I hate it when people answer a question with another question.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmB4HgIzZJ
"Um, I guess," I mutter, uncomfortable with all of the attention on me.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3Ax26vRD7
Why is she asking me all of this? I think back to her first two albums. They were pop-rockish with support from the Jonas Brothers. They were her albums before treatment and....oh, shit.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡccX5Udg2GV
"I'm not bulimic," I stupidly blurt out.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpzNwoJqs1
As if I didn't already look suspicious...I can feel my cheeks warm as my heart rate speeds up. Curse my lack of social skills and lack of thinking before I speak.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNjznZsUK6
"I-I-I mean, uh, I don't even know what purging is. I mean, I know what it is kind of, I just I, uh, have never done it. I-I-I, uh,-," Demi clamps her hand over my mouth to thankfully put an end to my senseless babbling.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcIjw3lGg8
I wish either the ground would magically swallow me whole or somebody would shoot me in the head.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4YAdriP5R
"I believe you, Bailey. Calm down," she stiffles a laugh.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NJ83U35QX
I nod, relieved that she doesn't suspect a thing.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡph6hIK0RSa
The ride in Nick's car is silent but not awkward. Annoyed with the silence, I retrieve my phone and scroll through my playlists. Landing on a song, I smirk mischieviously, glancing between Nick and Demi.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0vyOXtPAp
"See I cant wake up; I'm living a nightmare that keeps playing over again, locked in a room, so hung up on you, and you're cool with just being friends."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6lATQI0Sz
"Bailey, turn that off," Demi groans.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvoZOz4nV8
I switch songs, but skip to the chrous.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx8oMHJ5Rq
"I'll keep you my dirty little secret.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31UPqMJtcb
(Dirty little secret)copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6Yfrnfrt2
Don't tell anyone, or you'll be just another regret.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFhK3xnaNl
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlIYWdYk4S
My dirty little secret."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXQT7B3mbF
"Bailey," Demi uses her warning tone, so I'm assuming she knows what I'm doing.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqOA8TtYfg
"Try to tell you 'no' but my body keeps on telling you 'yes'. Try to tell you 'stop', but your lipstick got me so out of breath. I'll be waking up in the morning, probably hating myself. And I'll be waking up, feeling satisfied but guilty as hell."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45Tlo7SY7l
"Bailey, give me your phone."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JFWPjxVf2
"She's a beast. I call her 'karma'.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru6UhAGHcU
She eats your heart out like Jeffrey Dahmer. Be careful, try not to lead her on. Shorty's heart is on steroids 'cause her love is so strong. If you get the chance you better keep her. She's sweet as pie, but if you break her heart, she'll turn cold as a freezer. That fairy tale ending with a knight in shining armor, she can be my Sleeping Beauty. I'm gonna put her in a coma. Woo! Damn, I think I love her. Shorty so bad. I'm sprung, and I don't care. She got me like a roller coaster, turned the bedroom into a fair. Her love is like a drug. I was trying to hit it and quit it, but lil' mama so dope; I messed around and got addicted." copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD5oW5a0qE
"Hey!" I exclaim when Demi takes my phone. "You can't do that!"copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0xrcnH7Gv
"I'm your mom therefore I can."copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUPvyvMLqW
I huff and cross my arms.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxfBCRwPqa
"Now you want to play the 'mom' card," I bitterly mumble under my breath, directing my gaze out the window.copyright protection114ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNm7Eu1I6U
ns18.207.108.182da2
