It's my turn. Well, it should be my turn. There's one fan in front of me who's currently getting her picture taken; She's gotten dozens of pictures taken already. She keeps blabbering on and on about how Demi has saved her life and everything. Hearing her say that causes me to feel sick on my stomach as jealousy brews. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuDSe8KaSs
"Demi, you have to warm up your voice now," A man informs. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiottvjhKP
Demi nods, turning to the sobbing fan. I see her lips moving but can't understand what she's telling the girl. The girl hugs Demi, clinging to her as if her life depends on it. As Demi waves goodbye to the girl, she notices me. I see her say something to the guy, glancing at me. He nods. To my surprise, she heads in the opposite direction from me, towards the stage. The man walks over to me.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjzxpe4rLC
"Demi wants to apologize for not being able to meet you. She told me to give you this backstage pass," He informs, handing me a laminated picture of Demi on a lanyard. 'VIP' is printed in bold along the side. I wear the lanyard around my neck. "She said that you can either wait for her in the wings of the stage, or you can wait on the bus."copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0OmdPz5z3
"Can you lead me to the bus?" I shyly question.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kBEtlMpJD
He looks at me strangely, probably wondering why I want to miss the concert, but regardless, he still nods.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0hKQCKLw9
"Thank you," I say when we reach the massive tour bus. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D2KBz4n7S
"It's no problem. Demi will be here to meet you as soon as the concert is over." copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5O64x6Fwi
I nod, watching as he retreats, leaving me to do whatever, I guess. I can hear the heavy bass and screaming fans from the arena. I hum along with the familiar music, taking a seat on the black couch. My eyelids feel suddenly heavy as last night's loss of sleep catches up to me. My eyes slowly drift close, my head droops slightly to the side. With a jolt, I force myself awake, not wanting to miss Demi's arrival. Me sleeping probably won't make a good first impression. I keep fighting sleep for I don't even know how long before I just give in to my body's wishes. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡofk01KbHeO
Somebody shakes me awake. I mentally curse myself for falling asleep. I open my eyes, expecting to see Demi or the guy from earlier. Instead, to my surprise, I see Jordan. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDO4NHwcz3
"Jordan, what are you doing here?" I groggily ask her.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12W4yn4ID7
My neck is stiff and aching from my awkward sleeping position. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡseZJS2m2SV
"I could ask you the same thing," She replies with a smirk. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CKCGIN8lu
I stretch, hearing my bones crack and pop like Rice Krispies. Not in the mood for talking, I flash her my 'VIP' lanyard. She raises her eyebrows at it. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAsC2LdLSc
"Which brings me back to my original question," I say. "What are you doing here?" copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡpghzQLeew5
She opens her mouth to speak but is cut off by a very familiar voice; a voice that causes my heart to flutter excitedly, yet, at the same time, causes me to feel physically ill with a nauseous feeling. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz9cqSycVE
"Jordan Taylor Lovato, I thought I told you not to wake her," Demi sternly scolds Jordan.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNNOYCHPhP
Flabbergasted, I stare at the two of them with my jaw slack and my eyebrows raised. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J4uXCer11
"Wait, you're Demi's daughter?" I loudly blurt out, cutting off whatever Jordan's retort. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQL6tHaVhA
Jordan sheepishly directs her eyes to everywhere but me. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrXWPMJBeb
"Yeah," She mumbles. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡY03lu55PDf
"Don't let it go to your head," Demi sarcastically mutters.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡkge6FBpvA6
Jordan rolls her eyes, biting her tongue I suppose. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡp23dkZzlmq
"And you don't think you could've told me that?" I question, too angry with her to acknowledge Demi. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1omKtRcB20
"I didn't think I'd see you again apart from the concert. I mean, I live in L.A. with my parents while you're stuck here in an orphanage-"copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ih2lADaEd
"Wait, how do you know I live at the orphanage?"copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb6afrzZVa
"I saw you walk from there to the bus stop, so I just assumed," She replies, embarrassedcopyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjzvUhX7hI
If she's telling me the truth, why does her expression look so guilty? Why can't she make eye contact with me?copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2pJdTQ50X
"You're lying!" I accuse, jumping to my feet. "Were you stalking me or something?" copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg8ezi4yDW
"No!" She hastily denies, shaking her head. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCwb6t7QJa
I stare into her eyes, a much darker shade than mine.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb8GntkPKu
"Then how did you know I lived at the orphanage? And don't you dare lie to me!" copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJVsrZ9xlw
Her expression has guilt written all over it. She gnaws on her bottom lip. I feel a wave of pity and guilt wash over me. I shouldn't be so cruel to her, but I want answers. I've been wanting answers for my whole life. She stops chewing on her lip and closes her eyes. I can see her take a deep breath. Opening her eyes, she makes direct eye contact with me. I feel as if she knows me. I feel as if my mind is being violated, as if she's rummaging through my thoughts and memories. She only says two words, but the two words sends a shiver down my spine.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK4uhEKHjD
"The mail," She whispers.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTLOE6nGcV
I swallow, my mouth suddenly feeling dry. Nobody moves, nobody speaks. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKIjvaRrze
"You did what?" Demi hisses, causing me to wince. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUBVwYoL4U
Jordan licks her lips, her gaze shifting wildly to everywhere but Demi and I. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MEoplUQ1z
"I-I, uh, noticed you always sticking something in the mailbox every week, and, even when we were out on the road, you asked somebody to mail it out for you. One day I got curious and checked the sending address on the envelope. When I read it was going to an orphanage, I thought it was another one of your charity cases or whatever," She explains, causing me to wince. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡfajKk9SHF8
"Am I your child or just a charity ward," I whisper, reciting the lyrics that I have long since had memorized. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpxjhvhmWL
"What?" Demi questions, but I know she heard me. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGXw1uPPpM
"Am I your child or just a charity ward?" I recite again, this time actually asking it.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g6Q2Ghh8S
It's Demi's turn to wince as her own lyrics come back to bite her. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MTafvBpn4
"Am I missing something?" Jordan asks. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E9Zw8Wlou
It is then that the light bulb goes off in my head. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLytSitIbi
"You didn't tell her?" I ask Demi. "I mean, I'm not surprised you didn't tell me since I'm nothing to you, but..." I trail off, shaking my head in disgust. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaQHXlWVrF
How could she keep both of her daughters in the dark for so long? Does she feel guilt? Does she feel remorse? I turn towards a utterly confused Jordan. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOxEwHQ126
"We've been lied to for our whole lives. You didn't know about me, and I didn't know about you. You-"copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmZxo9tqah
"Hailey, shut up," Demi interrupts me.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG78vq9FEw
I bitterly chuckle. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkBvTjkliy
"Hailey?" I spat, shaking my head. "Nobody's called me 'Hailey' since I learned that you and I had a more complex relationship than fan and idol. When I learned the truth about you, I wanted nothing to do with you! I made the orphanage change my first and last name on all of their files. I loathed you, and, to be honest, I'm not sure whether or not that hatred and disgust ever has faded."copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56zCR4giPY
Her expression is wounded, but I honestly don't care. The pain she has caused me is much worse than what I am now causing her. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4RPWtPV2A
"I'm so confused!" Jordan exclaims in a slightly whiny tone, but, then again, who can blame her?copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQRJai460z
"We're sisters," I bluntly tell her.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkBbS39KZA
"What?" She shrieks, taken aback.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rm8OiivSV
"Did I stutter?" I retort, feeling slightly guilty.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4UkZXpncv
I mean, it's not her fault that I'm the fucked up child that Demi didn't want. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93ovhCyuJ1
"We're not sisters," Jordan argues.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CK4x4c1kE
I can't help but roll my eyes. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5jcU0IkKE
"Yes we are," I insist.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jPB9pu3eM
"You have no proof!" She yells. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrLPHJNuOf
"Jordan, she's not lying," Demi calmly informs. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuLsjSBoGj
Jordan's face drains of color. She slowly sits on the couch, her eyes wide and disbelieving, her jaw gaping. I'm worried she'll faint. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV3wLq7uco
"Does Dad know?" She whispers. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2tEQXdziW
I almost snort. She just discovers that she has a long lost sister, and the first thing she wants to know is if her father knows about me. Although I think it's horrible timing to ask that question, I'm curious to know the answer. I've always wanted to know who my dad is. Demi hesitates before responding. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrsCxmKV4r
"Neither of you need to know anything more."copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPfILRIvl8
"Bullshit!" I yell, my blood reaching a boiling point. "You can't just tell us we're sisters and leave it at that. It's bad enough you abandoned me, but now that I've managed to meet you, you still won't give me answers." copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW4LLuAwsi
"I didn't abandon you." copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8IUu5GLnV
I scoff. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8RUAf9wAO
"Pardon me for thinking that love is worth more than a measly one hundred bucks every week," I snap with an eye roll.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkpmROyxo2
Demi takes a deep breath, obviously trying to compose herself. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EfkJareaS
"Listen to me, Hailey, or whatever the fuck your name is now, Jordan and I are going back to Los Angeles; you're going back to the orphanage. We're going to pretend like this whole encounter never happened," She tells me in an eerily calm voice. "Got it?" copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbOU8IPQGE
I purse my lips together to form a thin line. She's really pissing me off right now. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTXhtBW2ov
"And if I refuse?" I calmly question, arching an eyebrow. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz3fRWjbID
"There's no room for refusal because you don't have a choice." copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9PbbXQR1B
"I can tell everybody that you're my mother, that you gave me up," I threaten, crossing my arms over my chest.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUgoO0p6oR
She narrows her eyes at me. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHJhIyWLy7
"You wouldn't dare," She states.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBWzio0wlU
"Try me," I taunt.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhqhz4fjaC
She glares at me for a beat longer.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcKcxOr8ko
"There's no other choice. I can't tell my husband about you." copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj4Hg5BCGw
"Why not?" I question, honestly confused. "I've always wanted to know who my dad is."copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgrd3m5jQ9
She doesn't say anything. I stare at her, perplexed. To my surprise, Jordan speaks up.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsg4bT5kW6
"It's because we don't have the same dad." copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3SpT7IHkz
"What?" I screech, wondering if this girl has lost her mind. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡol3hTw5dUA
"Think about it. If my dad was your dad, she wouldn't of had a reason to give you up," Jordan quietly explains not at me but more to herself.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAbb6A2wbI
Her expression practically mimics how the gears work in her brain.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡQazQtxYNhT
"Where are you getting at?" I ask her, even more confused before.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaCbmCzaSY
"I don't know," She mutters, sighing with defeat. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiAePdIYf3
I feel defeated, too. There is too much drama, too many secrets. Why can't it all be in black and white? Why can't Demi just explain everything? Why does she have to act so secretive and talk in encryption? copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfSxDttwNI
"Like I said, neither of you need to know anything more," Demi repeats, sounding quite exhausted. "I'm going to tell the bus driver that we have to drop a fan off at the orphanage. We're going to put this entire evening behind us, and we won't look back, okay?"copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAI0BIlggv
I can't let her do that. I can't go back there when I'm this close to having a family of my own. I mean, sure it's a family built on lies and secrets, but it's a family nonetheless. I wrack my brain for any desperate thing to say that might make Demi reconsider. I think of something sick and twisted, but I'm desperate and desperate times cause for desperate measures. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxifQerx8v
"If you send me back to that orphanage," I pause, taking a deep breath. "I'll kill myself," I tell her, making direct eye contact, my tone serious. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkKwAiCEiU
Jordan gasps. Demi stares at me, contemplating on whether or not I'm lying. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaO75NKY13
"You wouldn't," She quietly states, seeming as if she's trying to convince herself that more than me. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSdtoiefMw
"Are you sure?" I question with an arched eyebrow. "Because, as for as I'm concerned, death seems a hell of lot better than living a life where you know that nobody, not even your own birth mother, wants you," I truthfully argue, mentally smirking as she cringes. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZt7vzzBsp
She stays silent, hopefully thinking over what I said. She exhales a deep breath.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiut9JjFgy
"Driver, take us to the orphanage on Columbus street," Demi shouts exceptionally loud.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t4ypMx4Ji
I start to mentally panic. Is she honestly risking the chance of me committing suicide? I steal a glance at Jordan, who is looking at her mom-our mom-with a horror stricken face.copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS59YJsKTQ
"Mom, are you honestly risking her life?" She shrieks. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFIBLIOXVw
To my relief, Demi shakes her head. I see Jordan visibly breath a sigh of relief. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yce8f1IGC
"Then what are you doing?" Jordan wonders. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjMMxSEGtQ
I curiously peer at Demi, wondering the same thing myself. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡktmdz0tefs
"I have to sign your adoption papers, don't I?" She asks me with a toothless smile that I return. copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fnag7YL8D
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