"I call shotgun!" I yell.copyright protection86PENANAiw8LSUS5pz
"No, I call shotgun!" Jordan argues with an amused smirk.copyright protection86PENANAHufhj39GTi
"I'm a guest."copyright protection86PENANAPyqBdZnfQP
"Technically, you're now a permanent liability," She sticks her tongue out.copyright protection86PENANAArkPAkExYn
"In that case, so are you," I retort.copyright protection86PENANALSNQYLw3xd
Jordan opens her mouth to say something, but Demi beats her to it.copyright protection86PENANAruoahp8pl7
"Just play rock, paper, scissors," She laughs. "Best two out of three."copyright protection86PENANANe4GrM7UQt
I look at Jordan as she looks at me. With a shrug, I place my right, closed fist into my left palm as Jordan does the same.copyright protection86PENANAMnUcgke7Dn
"Ready?" I question.copyright protection86PENANAgBzUBRnL5I
She nods.copyright protection86PENANA4V8mqan8C4
"I win!" I exclaim, sticking my tongue out after the third game.copyright protection86PENANAwMef28SfbH
Jordan tries to fake a pout but ends up laughing at my enthusiasm.copyright protection86PENANAxIe1whbnb9
The car ride is drowned in a comfortable silence, except for the distant hum of the radio. I squeal with recognition as I turn the volume up.copyright protection86PENANAJ61TowsBPA
"Baby, when they look up at the sky, we'll be shooting stars just passing by. You'll be coming home with me tonight, and we'll be burning up like neon lights," I sing as Demi rolls her eyes.copyright protection86PENANAL5SVZ1cdTy
Eventually, all three of us end up harmonizing the song.copyright protection86PENANAYWYT64dDYr
"And that was a throwback from Demi Lovato with 'Neon Lights'," the radio DJ announces.copyright protection86PENANANnzfDYMIef
"They make me sound old," Demi groans.copyright protection86PENANA6EQMfUOBOK
I open my mouth, but she points her finger at me.copyright protection86PENANAOSult5vaR4
"Don't even think about it."copyright protection86PENANACQwjuo8thZ
I smirk.copyright protection86PENANAH7QPEW3yBE
"Weren't you in, like, your twenties when you had me?" I question.copyright protection86PENANAD6fa0UQ1TL
"That's not old!" She defends.copyright protection86PENANAuGG5OOttRM
"I never said it was," I laugh. "You're the one who's just assuming shit."copyright protection86PENANA63WyzXO692
She shoots me a look as we reach a red light.copyright protection86PENANAOXAfKz1AOU
"You're the one who's just assuming things," I rephrase.copyright protection86PENANAirk0nCuJ4X
"Much better," she comments with a nod, causing me to roll my eyes. "And excuse the hell out of me for not having a baby at, like, fourteen," She rolls her eyes.copyright protection86PENANAE4FKAOPgko
"Ooh, that'd be so cool!" I squeal. "Jordan, could you imagine having a mom fourteen years older than you?" I question.copyright protection86PENANADnbZSqCuuT
She just laughs and shakes her head.copyright protection86PENANAHkFbGSPLAG
"Don't either of you be going and getting any ideas," Demi warns.copyright protection86PENANAsk4VtILlrR
"Gross!" I exclaimcopyright protection86PENANAgpT7YzhXEP
"That's disgusting!" is Jordan's response.copyright protection86PENANA8ZyEK7oLVO
"As long as you two think that, then we're good," Demi smirks.copyright protection86PENANA6eEV3dlCho
I roll my eyes again.copyright protection86PENANAeR5io04SZX
"Speaking of, um, that," Jordan nervously clears her throat.copyright protection86PENANAvLhdk2nZuo
I can't help but laugh.copyright protection86PENANAWKkslTS4dT
"Why can't you just say 'sex'?" I wonder, knowing that she probably won't answer me.copyright protection86PENANAREqphRcglf
I bet she's blushing so much right now.copyright protection86PENANAVtFBzNxaJF
"Have you ever had a boyfriend?" Jordan inquires of me, probably desperate for a subject change.copyright protection86PENANAbHRLnehu4e
"Nope," I reply, popping the "p" and shaking my head. "You?"copyright protection86PENANAoedRUDWFKk
"No way."copyright protection86PENANAh8eZ8gAyrK
"Now, stay that way," Demi chimes as we enter the mall parking lot.copyright protection86PENANAvxz2pzV5TV
That probably won't be too difficult. Although I've never told anybody, I find myself more attracted to girls than I do to guys. I know it's not "holy" or whatever, but it's true. It's embarrassing to be honest. I mean, I've made out with my fair share of both genders, but nobody judges if I'm a girl kissing a guy whereas everybody judges if I'm a girl kissing a girl. Although I hate putting labels on people, I don't think I'm a lesbian, and I'm obviously not as straight as a flag pole; therefore, I think I'm bisexual. I don't even know if I'm supposed to be thinking about my sexuality yet. The whole topic is just extremely confusing, in my opinion.copyright protection86PENANAaxmZW7vk6k
"Bay?" Demi softly calls out, her hand on my shoulder.copyright protection86PENANARMlbkqWmBI
"What?"copyright protection86PENANAj7mgfdcaDh
"You kind of just zoned out on me. Are you okay?"copyright protection86PENANAbyjoywF3lH
"I'm great," I smile before exiting the car.copyright protection86PENANAqS7FQgrhGt
The mall is huge, and I can already tell that this is going to take a while.copyright protection86PENANAyYkBnoUGqm
Ten shopping bags, tons of autographs and pictures, and about two hours later, we're eating in the mall's food court. Jordan ordered pizza, Demi ordered some flat bread thing, and I ordered Chinese food. I'm stuffing my face with yellow fried rice when a familiar face causes me to drop my fork and nearly choke on my food.copyright protection86PENANA2L5uxs9DAl
"Holy shit," I mutter before going into a coughing fit.copyright protection86PENANAtJ3vWyB3Qc
Jordan smacks my back with a perplexed expression. Once my couching fit-and near death from choking, might I add-ceases, I chug down my bottled Pepsi gratefully.copyright protection86PENANAy1ddXx24Gp
"What the hell was that?" Demi asks.copyright protection86PENANAck0F5iPz2f
"Thanks for being sympathetic," I sarcastically thank. "Is it just me or does that guy kind of look like Kevin Jonas?" I question before she can retort, pointing at the guy who's doing a horrible job of making it look like he's not staring at us.copyright protection86PENANALgbC1Be3ki
"Oh, shit," I hear Demi mumble under her breath.copyright protection86PENANANeOCUygRXv
She pushes back her chair, rising to her feet.copyright protection86PENANAho8S0atMBa
"I'll be right back," She assures. "Just, wait here."copyright protection86PENANA6KLNC1F4cG
Jordan and I look at each other with equally confused expressions. I shake my head and pick up my fork.copyright protection86PENANApjtPDXhbyv
"It's probably just Demi being Demi," I grumble, resuming to stuff my face with the rice.copyright protection86PENANAeSPm2WHEk1
~copyright protection86PENANAthgaE7fzad
~copyright protection86PENANANF1hIFYiKS
~Demi's POV~copyright protection86PENANAFE6I6bVqOb
~copyright protection86PENANAinRYzLxj8p
~copyright protection86PENANAFbsaidO3WZ
I walk towards Kevin with wobbly knees and sweating palms. My heart is hammering against my ribs as my anxiety level steadily increases. I remind myself that it's too late to back out now, especially since he has already seen Jordan, Bailey, and me. I never thought I'd run into any of the Jonas Brothers again, especially not at a busy shopping mall. Taking a deep breath, I offer him a fake smile that feels more like grimace.copyright protection86PENANAf6jX7Q1bBE
"Long time no see, Demi," he greets.copyright protection86PENANAcM8zU4DpiD
"I had my reasons for not coming around; you know that," I remind.copyright protection86PENANA8ySPbDI9BF
"All of which were wrong."copyright protection86PENANA1pVFk9efYb
I roll my eyes.copyright protection86PENANAsmEG4rOcnq
"I didn't come over here to be belittled by you or to let you make me feel guilty."copyright protection86PENANA6fCAdZU8UF
"Then, why did you come over here?" He arches an eyebrow.copyright protection86PENANAqUmBGELgUr
"Because you're freaking my daughters out. Just, stop staring." I order, my tone elevating slightly.copyright protection86PENANAkHxquFZiXx
"Afraid I'll let your secrets slip?" He taunts.copyright protection86PENANA22ELZN2ykc
"If you do so, I swear-"copyright protection86PENANAIpjqpbbrhr
He laughs, only infuriating me more.copyright protection86PENANAsX707n5jgH
"You can't keep her a secret forever, Dems. He's going to find out somehow, someway."copyright protection86PENANA9Or2UXRjVq
"Is it that obvious that she's his daughter?" I whimper.copyright protection86PENANA1g1BFSG2Yb
He shakes his head, much to my relief. copyright protection86PENANAo7SGAIi1ug
"It's obvious that she's your daughter, though."copyright protection86PENANAlrfpdbkoIc
"I can deal with that, but I could never deal with the repercussions if the media discovered the truth. I'm already called a 'slut' and a 'whore' by haters. What if everybody else started calling me that?"copyright protection86PENANAwcntuCsUeT
"If you told them the truth-"copyright protection86PENANA0SpsknV5Qt
"The truth doesn't make the situation sound any better, Kevin!" I snap.copyright protection86PENANAB2ohwcyZM8
Turning on my heel, I'm about to return the table when Kevin grips my wrist.copyright protection86PENANAeMZugI7TsN
"Let go," I hiss.copyright protection86PENANAKaMc68pQue
"Just come by my house this weekend, please," he pleads, but I'm already shaking my head by the time he finishes his sentence.copyright protection86PENANAM2flhdosgK
"I can't."copyright protection86PENANAYCmVvDUxfQ
"He has the right to see his own daughter, Demi. He was ready to risk his entire career to be there for you, or did you forget that?"copyright protection86PENANAIQ8W4OdarB
"I didn't forget," I defend through clenched teeth, turning back around to face him. "I thought my decision was for the best."copyright protection86PENANATuXd6HTD4y
"You were only thinking about yourself. It was a selfish decision that you made to save your own skin. You never cared about him."copyright protection86PENANAfIdRAhDFAr
"I loved him!" I surprise myself by admitting. "I still love him," I whisper-more to myself than to Kevin-with my head bowed.copyright protection86PENANAYQdTn9UBXs
"Prove it," he tells me with a clenched jaw.copyright protection86PENANALJijqtWJnP
I know he wants to say more. I know he wants to yell at me and tell me how fucked up my decision was. I wouldn't blame him if he hates me. He releases my wrist, and I return to the table without looking back.copyright protection86PENANAHq44UjW2oT
"Where's Bailey?" I question Jordan.copyright protection86PENANAm0FWpAekNu
"Bathroom," She replies.copyright protection86PENANAd8BTNUirmo
I slowly nod, taking Bailey's completely finished meal and my half eaten one to the garbage bin.copyright protection86PENANAmAwzD1i8zw
"Once she comes back and after you finish eating, we'll leave," I inform.copyright protection86PENANAOfoVXeE9ko
She nods with a small smile. As Jordan finishes her food, I chew thoughtfully on my bottom lip until the coppery taste of blood enters my mouth. Should I honestly visit Kevin and the others this weekend?copyright protection86PENANAFR3mmRGRM1
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