~Bailey's POV~copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo8LA5MKzw
The three of us rush to Jordan's room and find her standing in the middle of her bathroom.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpFuFLitV6
"You're not dead." I observe. "Why were you screaming?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU0Pium2J7
"I, uh, I saw a spider."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYHTYEv951
"You nearly gave us heart attacks over a spider? Seriously?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPg5WSwSwr
"It was a big spider."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0oHJu37Yy
The doorbell rings, directing our attention elsewhere.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ536hMO3V73
"I'll go get the door," Nick leaves.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D4cYG25km
"Jordan, try not to scare me like that again, please?" Demi weakly smiles, and Jordan nods.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKf4D8uPUG
"Okay, why were you really screaming?" I ask once Demi has left.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHRzR7Jubq
She nibbles on her bottom lip and steps to the side. The shimmering piece of metal immediately catches my attention.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJtY6w4jra
"What the hell-,"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3esUMhG7i
"Your phone case," she interrupts. "We have the same phone case."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GhiTSSWDQ
My heart beats painfully underneath my skin. I find it difficult to swallow. I want to run, to run away from my problems like I always do. How could I have been so stupid?copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9qW4X5qyu
"Have you ever-,"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqWJqOi7Qk
"No," I sternly deny. "I've thought about it before, but I've never actually used it. Look at my arms," I show her my cut-free arms, mentally applauding at my quick thinking.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡv241TrSOto
"Well, okay," she doesn't sound very convinced.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsUcXYUce2
I smile reassuringly.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGDixVJLYc
"May I have my phone back, please?" I force a giggle.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPFQ4k97gN
"Promise me that you won't ever harm yourself," she returns my phone to me.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡTomJr9EOpq
"Promise," I shove it into my back pocket and watch as she tosses my blade into her trashcan. "Who do you think is downstairs?" I change the subject.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxXe4rJalm
"I dunno," she shrugs.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz22Ujd0Mq
"Wanna go snoop?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqKpP1XnfB
"Sure. It's not like I've got anything better to do."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaV0GaHxgk
We peer over the banister of the stairs to see who's in the living room.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp6lP5Tdz0
"Holy shit," my jaw drops, recognizing the people from all of the research that I've done on Demi.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvyCCoz3Hm
"I haven't seen them in, well, ever," Jordan murmurs.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzXw8P7YLs
"We can hear you, Jordan, and you, too, Bailey," Demi informs, and we duck as she looks up.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kI2ITyYMQ
"Um, no," I clear my throat. "We're ghosts, thank you very much. We do not know of this Bailey and Jordan in which you speak of."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX4dECwE69
I elbow Jordan as she begins to giggle.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsmdc03bom
"Would you two just hurry up and walk down here?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmgEdT5EwQ
"We ghosts prefer to float and hover."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr9618oyUj
My heart jumps into my throat when I feel two arms hoist me up into the air from behind. I can smell his cologne. He dangles me over the banister.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ0GpiqIye
"Holy fuck, Nick, put me down!"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCjaFkphzk
"Nah, I'm good."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡB35866yk78
"Demi!"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMT9aBgq0H
"No, I'm not helping you," she laughs.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb2MTtOfVa
I yelp as his grip slacks slightly.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46EeBmFmYu
"Oh my gosh, Nick, put me down!"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa62RyZMvE
He chuckles before returning me to my feet.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZfJUaDMWG
"I hate you," I stomp down the stairs with Jordan trailing less aggressively behind.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6WREcEUHH
Demi's parents and her younger sister, Madison, stand in the living room watching us.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡERZ2otA2Nw
"You're Jordan, yes?" Eddie points at me, his tone uncertain.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgNiK4eJHV
"Um, no," I almost laugh. "And the fact that you have to ask is really sad," I plop down on the couch, knowing that this conversation is about to get very interesting.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgJkGzmNVp
"So, you're Jordan?" Eddie looks at Jordan who nods. "We haven't seen you since you were like this," he holds his two hands together with a gap in between, representing a baby.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRztJh4UeZ
"Are you Nick's daughter?" Dianna questions me.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBig3q1Inp
"Oh, I'm Nick's daughter alright," I snort.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU4TAZF7m8
"She's my daughter, mom," Demi interjects.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV3vk3SXkp
"But she just said-,"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98bgqHtcdW
"She's Nick's daughter, too," Demi rolls her eyes.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSVCM606ok
"Welcome to Crash Course: Biology. What happens when two people-," I'm silenced by Jordan throwing a pillow at my face. "You could've just told me to shut up."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiunGQKpFs
"Hold up," Madison raises her hands. "When?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm0dOlPSFT
"Fourteen years ago on the back of a tour bus," I examine my chewed nails. "What?" I arch an eyebrow as Demi grimaces. "Am I wrong?" She sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl5wBD0STB
The doorbell abruptly chimes.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsI6vczPX6
"Saved by the bell," I jump up and answer the door.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRqUJqF60C
"You've got to be kidding me," I groan. "Demi, I swear I'm going to run him over and plead insanity," I return to the couch, leaving the door wide open.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhsueJvrIQ
"How did I know that I'd find you here, Demi?" Wilmer inquires, shutting the door behind him.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CGhdo52lp
"Maybe because Nick's not the one that I'm pinning divorce papers against," She retorts.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡovsO7EKqrT
"You two are getting a divorce?" Madison gapes. "But why? You two are perfect together."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKzyZ0PdSh
"Perfect?" Demi incredulously echoes. "I must be a better actress than what those award shows give me credit for," she rolls her eyes. "And none of ya'll have been here," she points out to her family. "How would you know?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡry3w8NCPQO
"I'm assuming-,"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgwRM8prm2
"Then you're assumptions are inaccurate," Demi interrupts her younger sister. "Let me put it this way, Madison," she approaches the younger woman. "If a guy were to ever, God forbid, put his hands on you or cheat on you, what would you do?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcOioom2nd
"I wouldn't tolerate it. I'd leave him."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmpblmTOBh
"Exactly."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1KsYxXevQ
Madison's face gradually becomes pale as Demi backs away from her.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39jlmTW2Xb
"You hit my daughter?" Eddie clarifies, surprisingly not sounding angry, more like disbelievingly.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZKoMPc0c4
"What?" Demi scoffs. "Is it that difficult to believe that he's perfectly capable of smacking me around a couple of times?" I cringe at her bluntness. "Maybe I do actually seem to have my shit together."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLWxn5niC4
"Demi?" Wilmer interjects.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3963pMXiwk
"What?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cxbph09mo
"May I speak with you outside?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzgBQ0oALS
Glancing at her family who all have been stunned into silence, she nods and follows him out the front door.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPEdGYDTL9
"What an interesting way to meet the family," I mutter, watching Wilmer and Demi through the window.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJvqQsRGAs
"We have a lot to discuss," Dianna voices.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVFtSHARnw
"Yeah, no shit," I snort.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeEgl67Rh2
Through my peripheral vision, I notice her watch me in slight appallment. I sigh.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv7XpOFDY7
"My name," I pause, thinking about all of the newfound options I have as far as a last name goes. "My name is Hailey Ariana Lovato-Jonas, but if you call me Hailey, I will bite you. I go by Bailey, a name that I picked out for myself years ago. I curse worse than a sailor, so get use to it. Take me for how I am or leave me, I really don't care either way."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLK7tZa6mr
Returning my attention to the window, I see Demi yelling at Wilmer, but I'm unable to hear anything. My eyes widen as I see him roughly shove her against the house.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbbZZeUeE5
"Nick!"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnzxfLET2y
He's already halfway out the front door. I watch, horrified, as Wilmer backhands Demi. Nick charges towards Wilmer, but, unlike what I would've done in his position, doesn't hit him. Surprised at the fact that my vision is blurring from tears, I turn away from the window, direct my gaze away from everybody while allowing my hair to shield my face, and blink rapidly. Moments later, I hear the front door open and close.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWqVwO7ugE
"I'm fine, Nick," Demi insists, sounding annoyed, as if she has been repeating the same statement over and over again.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡchVhCVpPrk
I lift my gaze, peeking through my veil of dark brown hair. Demi claims a seat on the sofa-chair as Nick heads for the kitchen, returning with something wrapped in a paper towel.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXQieZDJKQ
"I don't need any ice," she tells him.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkFurLO0pk
He doesn't listen, continuing to stand with his arm outstretched. She sighs and rolls her eyes, begrudgingly accepting the ice.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIWwR7u6uV
"It doesn't even hurt," she grumbles, then hisses as the ice touches her red cheek.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡVk8YqIcBt9
"Careful," he murmurs, gently taking her arm and reapplying the ice himself. "You're an awful liar sometimes," he comments, eliciting another eye roll from her.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSZClZvuAh
I flicker my gaze away as his eyes move to me.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0LZDE5HP3
"Bay," I can hear him approaching me, and I swear that I can feel everyone else watching me.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoTbQc3tzw
He tucks my hair behind my ear, and I frown.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8KNu8Z0rM
"Are you crying?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7yNj0iKCH
"No," I mentally curse at how congested my voice sounds from holding back tears.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtruWxfKY1
"You sure about that?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYytg03YKe
"Yes. I have allergies."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LVh7VOsdM
"To what?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn04BHd83m
"Cats," I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rTcIrFcOk
"I don't own a cat."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOkgOr7Mqq
"Pollen."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDQPIEvKID
"You're indoors."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡexO8kqgF4o
"Dust."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmqQWa3Mg6
"You were fine at my house," Demi interjects. "And I'm pretty sure I clean less than Nick."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8AYNhBnOD
"Know-it-alls," I groan. "I'm allergic to know-it-alls."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡOowwO3kB7s
"It's okay to cry, y'know," Nick smirks.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUrmgSQPuS
"I don't cry. I sweat."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡZePpTUsnlr
"From you eyes?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3dMCLJuqC
"Precisely."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHAyiU8MyJ
"Demi," he turns away from me. "She lies like you do."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6MRGSX4lq
"That can be really good for us, or that can be the worst thing ever."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTXGLZnMqB
"I'm a horrible liar," I falsely reassure. "You two have nothing to worry about."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UTmQcZpRw
"I don't know about that," Madison chimes.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bXPb6tUoL
"Madison's right," Eddie pipes up. "We have a lot to talk about."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡanXQAdShlj
"I don't-," the doorbell silences Demi.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS6PEXuaak
"Jeez, Nick, how many people know where you live?" I grumble, walking towards the door.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNiVf8Aw1G
I open the door, revealing a familiar face: Dallas, Demi's older sister.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLOtNJqBVS
"Hi," she greets, then frowns with her eyebrows furrowed. "You're not Nick."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLeSG0ydxj
"So I've realized."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQkkncxKkI
As if suddenly remembering something, she rolls her eyes and turns around.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73AVcvMm0g
"Sara!" She shouts. "Hurry up!"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZYwcySUte
At first, I think that she's crazy, but then I see someone step out the passenger side of a silver car.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzPGL0Aeue
"Sorry, Dal!" The girl, seemingly around my age, hastily apologizes, her tone slightly nasally, but more so in a cute, adorable way rather than annoyingly so. "I dropped my phone," she raises her hand, flashing a girly teddy-bear-shaped phone case.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNrC14MMoN
Sara, I'm assuming, is tall. Although she wears lime green athletic shoes on her feet, she still must be at least four inches taller than me, and I'm only about four inches over five feet. Her outfit, in contrast to her phone case, is sporty and casual: a loose grey crop top and black Nike sweatpants. Her skin is a golden tan, her face make-up free, and her blonde hair is yanked back in a messy ponytail. She's really really pretty, gorgeous even, and I don't even think she's trying.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH3RI3lvaW
"You're so clumsy," Dallas rolls her eyes.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRCF5MycM9
"I know. Hi, I'm Sara," she introduces herself to me.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMKts9AiEG
"Bailey."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8rIOCCU5n
"Cool name," she smiles.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO0OicHOMV
"Thanks. Nick, you have guests," I hold the door open for them and shut it behind them.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFcbbvcMtb
"Sorry I didn't answer your phone call," Dallas apologizes to Nick. "I was busy chauffeuring this one around," she hooks her thumb towards Sara. "While her mom runs errands, but I got your voicemail."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4WTrKdlPn
"My parents can be really overprotective sometimes," Sara groans, and it takes me a couple of seconds to realize that she's talking to me. "It's really annoying."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9aVdXzgoS
I don't socialize well with people my own age; therefore, I remain awkwardly silent.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnKVWEwp01
"Demi?" Dallas gasps. "What are you doing here? I thought that Nick only wanted to speak with our parents, Madison, and myself?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAzN3xkXhC
"Oh, is that what he told you?" She arches an eyebrow. "How weird."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkpQo0dPle
It is then that I realize Demi's family is who Nick was talking to on the phone earlier.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgdIl6D1mJ
"We have a lot to talk about," Nick sheepishly rubs the back of his neck, repeating Eddie's earlier words.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FGRDczuAs
"I don't want the girls here while we all talk," Demi informs.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡulbstdSwj2
"Why?" I inquire. "I'm old enough. Jordan's old enough."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3td455pbf5
"You honestly want to know how you-,"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRSnIc0Nq1
"You two fucked," I cut off her dry retort. "And saying that aloud makes me realize that I really don't want to be here when you all talk," I scrunch up my nose in disgust.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYEoK2RIiS
"I second that," Jordan agrees.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPHTULvzs4
"I have a license," Sara says. "I could drive us somewhere."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEFEcpLUed
"Really?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNP2Gt5eZA
"Yeah. Dallas-,"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CwuoRJUiw
"Here," Dallas tosses Sara the keys. "I'll call ya'll when it's okay to come back. Be sure to answer your phone, Sara."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnPqqXk5GF
"Will do. You two ready?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6vZ4jSWTn
Jordan and I nod, following her as she leads us to Dallas' car. I claim the passenger seat as Jordan claims the backseat.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡngXFnCPbWS
"So, you're what, sixteen?" I question Sara while clicking my seatbelt.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NVka0hnw2
"Yeah."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhTNxow9WJ
So, she's two years older than me. How unfair.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3NaqkBxvD
"I have a basketball in the trunk," she implies.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmKHUSO5zB
"I love basketball," I truthfully state.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcNXdsrtU5
"I'm not very good at it," Jordan admits. "But it's fun. There are some outside courts at the park about fifteen minutes from here."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡMab9e3exsW
"I know the place," Sara nods. "I hope you both are ready to lose," she jokingly taunts, causing me to chuckle.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXMI1UDKCk
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