Demi's POV

River had not been replying to any of my messages and I was immensely worried. I hoped he was alright, but I couldn't help thinking why.

I put my hands in my pocket, reaching for my cell phone, and flipped it open. I sighed. As I scrolled down to check my inbox, the lettering was as usual: 0 new messages

It wasn't like River to ignore me like that because we've been talking to each other every day since last year. Maybe he was just preoccupied right now. With school or something. I nodded to myself as I stood in storage room at Starbucks, and remembered how Selena said I was being paranoid. I knew I was, but I couldn't help it.

River, where are you?

I stood up on my toes and searched for the box of lids I was supposed to obtain during my shift. Selena had told me before that working would take my mind off of River, but it did the complete opposite. The aromatic smell of coffee only made my mind more aware and awake to this problematic day.

That was why I was surprised to find my manager at Starbucks calling my name, and flinched in response.

I turned around to see her hand pointing out the door. "Demi, there are two people outside the counter looking for you."

"Is one of them Selena?" She shook her head. Who could be looking for me? I walked out the door with my box of lids, my mind filled with perplexity.

My manager, Carla, pointed to these two guys standing on the other side of the counter. I remember one of them; the blonde I served yesterday; the one who always came here everyday as if looking for someone. I don't know him personally, and it was the first time he ordered from me yesterday. Next to him was a tall boy with straight black hair, smiling as soon as I came up to them.

"Hi, Demi." He says.

My face was blank. "Do I know you?"

He shook his head. "I'm Joe, and Selena sort of sent me here." Of course, it had to be Selena bring in these two strangers. "Actually, you know Nick right?" I nodded and wondered what this would lead up to. "They said you needed help." I could see the boy beside him in as much confusion as I was.

"I don't need any help. At least, I don't think …" I answered, pondering what this was about.

He disagreed. "Yes, you do…and I brought someone here to help."

I turned my head to the other boy. "Whh-at?" We both struggled with the same word.

Joe looked at me, and gave his friend an annoyed look. "Not what, but who. And it's him, Sterling." He looks over again to "Sterling."

Sterling's eyes widened as he took everything in, shaking his head. "What are you talking about?"

"You'll see." Joe stated mysteriously. What could he mean? "It's part of the plan."

Sterling scratched the back of his head and looked at Joe. "What plan?" When Joe did not answer, his tone changed. He repeated with much more angst. "What plan, Joe? "

"You have to do it, or the penalty will be severe." Joe muttered to him.

Sterling rolled his eyes. "How severe?"

Joe chuckled and replied, "Let's just say it's a way of communicating." At the word, communicating, Sterling was silent. What was up with these boys?

As for me, I still had no idea what was going on so I took out my other phone, dialing rapidly.

"Selena?" I say immediately when she answers. Why are Joe and Sterling here?" I asked, fiercely. "What's going on?"

There was a moment of silence on the line and with Joe and Sterling. "They didn't tell you?"

"I have no idea what's going on!"

"Relax, Demi." She soothed over the phone. "I'll explain when you're back."

Maybe she was afraid I wouldn't agree to this "plan." Maybe that's why a second later, she hung up on me without a goodbye.

At least I said a goodbye when Joe and Sterling left Starbucks.

***

"Alright, Selena," I said as I barged into our room. "What's your explanation? Seriously, what's going on? Would you like to tell me?"

At that moment, Selena was letting loose of her hair that was in a ponytail. "Look over to your drawer." Her head motioned to the thick white envelope near my bed.

I hurriedly opened the envelope, my jaw dropping as my eyes wandered around the words it enclosed:

Dear Demi,

I know we have a rough past, but my parents are insisting in inviting you to my 20th birthday bash. Like them, I also want you to come.

Enclosed, you will find the address of the party.

Hoping to see you there,

Cody

No, you will not see me there! "Selena, is this what everything's about? To get me to go to Cody's birthday?" She wouldn't do that, would she? She knew Cody was going to be showing off his girlfriend, which he had been with for I don't know, 2 years?

"Not exactly," she replied. "You see, Nick and I were talking and this would be a great way to show Cody that you don't need him."

Of course I don't need him, after what he did to me! Wait, was she talking about my past with her boyfriend?

"I can't believe you told Nick!"

Her face was then filled with remorse as I sighed. Yet again. "Demi! I'm sorry. But if you don't go, you know Cody will come and talk to your personally AFTERWARDS, right?"

My eyes rolled as I shot her an answer. "As opposed to him talking to me DURING the party with his girlfriend WITH him while I would be ALONE and MISERABLE?"

Then, for some strange reason, a sweet petite smile formed on her face. "Demi, you won't be alone."

What?

This day was getting more and more confusing by the second. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that you will bring someone with you…a date."

"What?" I repeat, louder. "What date?"

Then it hit me. Joe said something about bringing Sterling to help. "You want me to fake-date Sterling?! This is outrageous! I don't even know much about this guy, and you expect me to DATE him?!"

"Just try Demi. There's actually a week before the party." I shook my head and looked at her relentlessly. "Get to know him. Forget River for a bit." How could I possibly forget him? "He would probably want this for you, after all, he wouldn't want Cody to leave you again in the state you were 2 years ago."

That shut me up. "Fine." I folded my arms across my chest.

Her face brightened up and she gave me one of her thank-you smiles. "Okay, we're going to me meeting up with them tomorrow morning at the Caf."

"That soon?"

"Demi, sweetie, we only have a week."

"But could we meet somewhere else? You know I don't like the Caf." I pleaded.

Selena bit on her pink lips. "You did, remember? Before Cody…" She paused, realizing her bad choice of words. "You know what? You're going there and that's final."

"But-" I began.

She lifted my comforters up and patted on the mattress below it, signaling me to go to sleep. I obliged even though she left her explanation quite vague.

"One more thing, Demi," she whispered gently in my ear. "Don't tell them about River."

"Why?" I replied in a whisper as soft as hers.

"It'll ruin the plan…"

That made me curious, but after this tiring day of surprises, I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

What plan was she talking about? Could it be the same as Joe's?