Well, this is embarrassing. Close to two years later and I finally uploaded another chapter. Not that anyone's reading it because I lost all my Story Alerts (not that I blame you guys). I can't even give some kind of understandable excuse. Nope. It was just me being a lazy, uninspired asshole.
If you're reading this, I thank you for sticking with me. It's just that every time I looked at what I had for this chapter, I didn't know how to continue it. Right after uploading the first chapter, I started writing this one, but got stuck after the fourth big paragraph in Joe's part (before he dials Ashley's number). You see, I've actually come back to this many times throughout these two years and every single time I just had no clue where to go after that paragraph. I considered deleting it and starting over, but that didn't maker sense either. I liked what I had so far, I liked it a lot, but I didn't know where to go from there. So, I would close the document and hope that the next time I opened it I would be hit with inspiration. But it never came.
Yesterday, I opened my email and saw one from fanfiction, which excited me because I still read stories ALL the time, but lately my updates haven't been as frequent. This was different, though. It was a review for this story, which was surprising because I didn't think anyone was reading it after all this time. It was from someone named Kayla who didn't review from her account (if she has one). And even though all she really told me was that this story was already one of her favorites, she loved it, and she thought I was talented, it got me really wanted to write again. So I opened the document, still completely uninspired and still having no clue how to continue, and just started typing. And here we are. So thank you, Kayla. I don't know what it was about your review, but you are why I finally got this chapter finished. Happy face :).
It's short, I know. It's boring, I know. Probably not the best to come back with after two years, but it's essential. This chapter, and probably the next one depending on where I end it, are going to be like this. I just need to give a little background before getting to the good stuff.
I'm honestly going to try really, really, really hard to update often from now on. I know that coming from me that probably doesn't mean much, but I know what I want to do now, and although I won't promise you anything, I really will try to keep myself on track. If I don't, you have my permission to torch my house and sell my belongings.
Just kidding, please don't do that.
Now, without further ado, please enjoy this chapter and don't hate me too much for its shitty-ness.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Demi sighed tiredly as she shuffled into her small apartment. She was thoroughly exhausted having gotten stuck in traffic on the way home. Her audition left her emotionally drained, her wrists were sore from her jewelry rubbing against her fresh cuts all day, and all she wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep for the rest of her life.
Throwing her keys into the bowl on the counter, Demi switched the light on and opened her refrigerator. She pulled out some leftover lasagna, popping it in the microwave before walking to her bedroom.
Demi sighed again, realizing how empty and lifeless her room was. The walls were a plain white, not decorated whatsoever. The furniture she had picked up was old and chipped and her bed was unmade, the dreary grey bedding lying in a rumpled mess on her mattress.
Moaning quietly, Demi hung her head and collapsed onto her bed. She would barely have enough time to eat her dinner before she had to change and leave for her job at a bar downtown. She worked part time at an old, smelly restaurant that was empty almost all of the time, except for a few drunks who only drank the cheap beer and stale wine because the prices were so low.
Hearing the microwave beep, Demi pushed herself off the bed and made her way into the kitchen to eat a quick dinner so she could leave and actually be on time for her job for once – not that she even wanted to be there anyway. Demi sighed one last time, thinking about how much she really needed to get the role in Camp Rock.
Joe Jonas was not an impatient man. When it came to waiting, he was always considerate and well behaved. He wasn't rude or mean, he didn't gossip, and he always, always made sure he was respectful to woman. So, when a certain Demi Lovato came to audition for the part of his leading lady, he was patient and kind, not commenting on her stuttering or lack of eye contact because he figured it was just nerves.
Wrong.
Thinking back to her audition, specifically her behavior, Joe realized how wrong he was. He may not know exactly what was up with that chick, but it was quite obvious that it wasn't nerves. She was tense and vague and even flinched when he touched her. She was distant, but not cold, and she was… beautiful. She was honestly one of the most stunning girls he'd ever seen.
Joe smiled softly as he remembered her. He knew she was going to get the part. She was without a doubt the best singer they had heard all day and an excellent actress, too. Jane made it obvious that she loved her and Robert seemed quite fond of the girl. She was a shoo-in, which Joe was happy about. He wanted to get to know her better. He needed to get to know her better. There was just something about her that was so intriguing.
Joe looked down at his phone. Twelve missed calls and eight new texts, all from Ashley. Ashley Greene to be specific. She was a nice girl, he'd give her that, but he was only dating her because his manager thought he needed some publicity. He had absolutely no romantic feelings towards her whatsoever, which only made him feel like a jerk because she made it blatantly obvious that she was head-over-heels for him, despite the fact that her manager told her the relationship was solely for publicity.
Joe sighed and dialed Ashley's number, massaging the bridge of his nose in preparation for the headache he knew he was about to get. He'd have to talk to his manager soon and get out of this relationship. He didn't know how much more he could take, especially now that the mysterious Demi Lovato was in the picture. Joe was an honest man and he knew he had to break it off with Ashley before he pursued anything with Demi.
As soon as he heard his girlfriend's voice over the phone he wished he had never called in the first place. Every time he talked to this girl he got more and more annoyed.
"Hey baby, I missed you! I've been calling you all day, where have you been?" Ashley's nasally voice was already giving him a headache. Joe sighed, dragging a hand down his face. She may sound happy to talk to him, but he knew better. He was going to have to make it up to her somehow and Joe was not looking forward to that. It was always his wallet that got the short end of the stick in these situations.
"I was working, remember? I'm going to be working all week, like I told you. I have casting for my new movie and it takes pretty much all day," Joe replied. He needed to end his relationship as soon as possible. He couldn't go a single day without hearing Ashley complain about something he was did.
"Why haven't you answered my calls or texts? We should go out tonight!" Ashley squealed. Joe racked his mind for some excuse. Seeing Ashley was the last thing he wanted to do. He'd much rather just lay in bed and think about his new fascination, Demi.
"Well-"
"I haven't seen you in forever baby. I miss you so much!"
"We went out to dinner last night, Ashley. I'm just too tired tonight, I think I might be coming down with something," Joe coughed for extra effect. Ashley wasn't the brightest girl and Joe knew she was too oblivious to catch him in a lie. He decided tomorrow he would take her out and let her down gently. He didn't care what his manager had to say. This girl was slowly driving him insane.
"Joe!" She whined. "I just want to see you. I miss you, baby. How about I come over and take care of you! It'll be so cute and romantic!"
"No!" Joe cried. "I'll be fine, Ashley. I'm just going to go to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay! Bye, baby. I love you!"
Joe snapped his phone shut, refusing to return the meaningless words. He lay back on his bed, shutting his eyes for a moment. Images of Demi took over his mind. He just couldn't get her out of his head. Her hair, her eyes, her mouth, he was absolutely captivated by her. She was so dark and mysterious and Joe couldn't get enough of her. The way her dark makeup gave her an almost seductive appearance, the way her curled hair framed her face ever so gently, the way her belt emphasized her tiny waist, making her all the more tempting. Everything about her was enticing to him.
Joe sat up quickly and groaned. For the next three days he was going to have to sit through more auditions. After seeing Demi he knew there was no other person for the part and he was dreading having to endure auditions that would no doubt be terrible compared to her.
"Hey, pretty lady! Be a good little girl and fill me up again, would you?"
Demi huffed in annoyance and took the empty mug from the man. It was nearing 4 in the morning and he was drunk out of his mind. He was one of the regulars at the Ugly Mug, the bar where she worked. His name was Jim and he made it a habit to harass Demi on a regular basis.
"Demi, hun, go home," Sally, her coworker said, resting a hand on Demi's shoulder. "You've been here for over ten hours and you're practically asleep on your feet. This place is empty as usual and both of us don't need to be here. Go home and get some rest."
Sally had become Demi's closest and only friend since moving to Los Angeles and getting the job at the Ugly Mug. She was a few years older than Demi and looked after her like the older sister Demi lost so long ago. Demi had grown to really love her and the fact that Sally cared for her despite knowing almost nothing about her. Sally knew nothing of Demi's past or who she was before she came to LA. Sally accepted the Demi she met her first day on the job and Demi was thankful for that.
"You know I need the money, Sal. I can barely pay my rent as it is," Demi paused and sighed, "which is pathetic considering how cheap it is. One of the cheapest apartments on the market and my broke ass can't even afford to pay the rent," Demi scowled, leaned her elbows on the counter, and put her head in her hands. She was exhausted. Her shift started at 5:30 and she was having trouble just keeping her eyes open at this point. Demi knew she should go home and sleep before her next shift at 11, but if she didn't work the extra hours she wouldn't be able to pay her rent this month and being evicted from her apartment was out of the question.
Demi thought back to her audition the day before. Everyone seemed to love her audition, disregarding her strange behavior. She took a glance around the bar, noticing the stale smell, the dim lighting, the empty booths, the last few drunkards scattered around the counter.
Demi really, really needed to get that part.
And there you have it! Told you it was short and crappy. But bare with me, it'll be better by the fourth chapter.
Please review, favorite, alert, whatever it is you want to do! It's my motivation :).
Don't leave me too much hate, I already know I was an ass for waiting two years. Don't gotta rub it in. ;)
Much love,
wiinterxxxbabii
