Part 3.

Nick's P.O.V:

We pulled out of the studio parking lot, and almost instantly Demi fell asleep in the passenger's seat. Even when she was passed out from an emotional day, she still looked stunning. I made sure to take the long way back to my house, giving her an extra 10 minutes of sleep if she didn't wake up.

I slowly pulled into the driveway, letting the car sit in neutral for a few minutes as I watched her sleep. Knowing I we both couldn't stay here forever, I turned the car off and gently pushed her arm. Her eyes fluttered as she adjusted them to the light, and she looked at me with that smile that melts my heart.

"We're back already? Damn"

"Well yeah sleepy head, that's what happens when you crash on the way home. I even took the long way." I smiled at her and leaned over as our lips locked on to one another's.

I helped her carry her stuff inside, and once we closed the door she turned to me with that mischievous grin. She threw her purse onto the table, and lunged towards me, grabbing me by the face and once again our lips became one. I slid my hands down her body to her hips and laid them there, enjoying this moment. I felt her body coming even closer to mine, and I swiftly turned us so she now had her back to the door. Just then, she pulled away and looked at me with a serious expression.

"I love you so much Nick."

"I love you too, beautiful". She leaned in again and lightly kissed my lips.

"I honestly don't know what I'd do if I didn't have your." With this, she nestled her head into my shoulder and held me as if she never was planning on letting go. "Don't ever leave me ok?"

"Demi, I wouldn't even dream of it."

This moment was perfect. I didn't know what brought this about, but I didn't care. All that mattered was that I was with the love of my life; the events of earlier felt like another lifetime ago. And such is life, I heard my phone start to ring in my pocket. I glanced down at the screen to see who it was without her seeing; it was Demi's mom.

"Uh, say why don't you go upstairs and get out of those clothes, you've been in them all day." I was trying to keep my cool as much as possible. I didn't know what her mom wanted with me, but I'm sure it had to do something with the way Demi had been acting lately.

"Sure? What's the occasion?"

"Movie night! We can cuddle, and be comfy."

"Hell yeah! Ok I'll be down in a few. Now that I think of it, I could really use a shower too. Is my bag of extra clothes still in your room?"

"Of course. It wouldn't be anywhere else."

I watched as she scurried upstairs and closed my bedroom door. Once I heard the door click, I stepped out onto the patio of the back yard and shut the glass door, dialing her mom's number back as I walked.

"Hey Nick, thanks for calling me back"

"Yeah it's no big. What's going on?"

"I don't know how to ask this of you, so I guess I'll just come out and say it. Have you noticed a dramatic change in Demi lately?"

My mind instantly flashed back to numerous accounts within the past few months with Demi. I didn't know what was going on with her, I don't think anyone does; most of the time she scared me with her intensity. It's almost like she changed into this other person. Most days she was so bubbly and I loved her happy, but it seemed like she was little too happy. Then she'd come crashing down and spend days upon days in bed. I thought maybe it was drugs, but she always promised me she'd never even touch the stuff. But what could it be?

"Um, yeah I have. I know she's been working a lot lately, do you think maybe it's just exhaustion?" I knew in my mind this wasn't it, but admitting something wasn't right was , something I didn't want to face at this moment.

"Nick, I think we both know it's not just exhaustion. Has she…. Has she said anything to you about wanting to hurt herself? I don't mean to scare you, but you have to understand that as her mother I'm really worried about her. Me and Eddie are concerned about her safety."

"No, no you're not scaring me. I just, I just never really allowed myself to look at things this way. What do you know?"

"Well, today at the studio, after you two left her manager found something."

"I, I 'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean" Of course I knew Demi had cut herself, I just didn't want to rat her out to her mom if she didn't know.

"In her dressing room, there was blood on the floor. Do you know if she cut herself?"

"Mrs. Delagarza, I'm really sorry. I didn't want to say anything but yeah. I found her in there crying, and saw it on her wrist. I didn't want to freak out, but thinking about it, I'm worried about her. I'm trying everything to keep her safe and happy but I just don't know how to help her. She's purging and not eating a lot too. What do we do?"

"Well, that's why I called you. She's not with you right?"

"No she's in the shower, I made sure"

"Ok good. Me and Eddie have a plan and we need your help. She needs to go away for a while. I think we both know Demi can't face her demons on the road, she needs to go somewhere she'll be safe and with people who are equipped to help her with these things. We found a place in Illinois, Timberline Knolls. Now, this is where you come in. We need to sit her down and talk with her. We know how upset she can get, so this cannot get out before it happens ok? I need you to bring her over here to our house, say we're having dinner."

"Uh, ok yeah sure. Are you sure this is going to go alright? What if she declines? She is 18, and isn't there something about being an adult n not going?"

"We've thought of that, we have the police in line, if need be. She's going either way. I just hope she'll go willingly."

"Me too. Uh, Demi's down, can we talk more later? I'm sorry."

"Of course. Thank you so much for helping save my daughter. You're a good guy Nick"

Demi's P.O.V

Walking down stairs, I noticed Nick wasn't there. I walked into the kitchen, thinking maybe he was cooking dinner or something, but he was nowhere to be found. That's when I noticed he was outside on the phone. His body looked so tense. He kept running his fingers though his hair, what he usually does when he's upset. I instantly got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, but didn't know why. He turned and looked at me, then quickly hung up the phone and walked back into the house.

"Hey babe! Have a good shower?" He pulled me tightly into him and I wrapped my arms around his body; these moments always made me happier.

"Yeah I did. Maybe next time you could join me? So, is everything ok? You look upset. What's up?"

"Oh uh, just a stupid fight with Kevin. No big deal though. Let's go watch this movie"

He grabbed my hand and we walked over to the couch, wrapping ourselves under the blankets. He smelled so good, and a grin escaped my lips. I'm never happier than when he's holding me. I swung my legs over his lap and began kissing his neck softly. His fingers were playing with my hair, and instantly I was 10 times more relaxed. He lowered his face to mine, and tenderly began kissing my lips, suddenly pulling away.

"What? Does my breath smell or something?" He never pulls away, this wasn't like him.

"No, no it's not that. I just.. I don't know, I just wanna watch a movie and hold you"

"Nick, what's going on? You've been so weird ever since you came inside. Come on, you're always telling me to let you in, do the same for me. What's going on inside your head?"

"I'm just, just worried. About you. I didn't want to say anything, but earlier today, you scared me Demi. With the purging, and then finding the cut on your wrist. I don't want you to die"

"Dammit, I'm fine. Why do you keep bringing this up?! If I say I'm fine, trust me ok?" I quickly got off the couch and went to go upstairs. I was fine now, why does he always bring up things he knows is going to make me angry? I love him for caring, but I felt so attacked.

I got to the bedroom and locked the door behind me. I walked outside on the deck and put my headphones in. Music was my escape, and before I said anything I would have regretted, I went to my happy place.

A few minutes later my phone rang. I glanced down and saw that it was a text message from Selena. I hadn't heard from her in so long, I was excited to see something from my best friend.

Hey chicky! I miss you like crazy! Hope your interview went awesome.. I get back in town tomorrow, we HAVE to catch up! Lots to talk about! xo

OMG hey! I miss you too! How about I pick you up from the airport when ya land and we can go to Starbucks? Thing's have been crazy here. Love you friend!

Crazy how? Everything ok?

Lol, yeah I think so! Idk, let me fill you in tomorrow!

Haha ok! Sounds like a date

I seriously couldn't wait to talk with her. Everyone's been acting so weird towards me lately, almost like they're scared of me, and now with Nick fighting with his brother I just needed some time to forget about everything.

It started getting colder out as the sun went down, and I think I cooled off too emotionally so I went back inside to continue watching the movie with Nick. Hopefully he forgave me for my seclusion.

He was still seated in the living room when I went downstairs, and I slowly sat down and snuggled my body up next to his. We didn't talk, we just sat there in silence as he watched Sports Center. After what seemed like forever, he broke the silence.

"Oh! So your mom called, and I guess she wants to have us over for dinner on Monday. You game?"

"Of course! God, the only time it feels like I spend time with her and the family is when we're on our way to an interview or something work related. It'll be nice."

"Alright, it's settled. I love you so much babe."

"I know, I love you too" I leaned in and we began kissing. He makes me so happy, I never feel as happy and secure as when I'm with him. We continued to hold each other, simply enjoying each other's company. Soon, I felt sleep beckoning me and I slowly drifted off, as Nick continued playing with my hair.