A Second Chance

I could feel His eyes burning at the back of my skull. Why was he intensely staring at me? All of a sudden, I turn around, and I'm confronted.

"Why?" the tone was so bland in his voice, I couldn't tell if it was even real.

"Why what, Joe?" I honestly didn't see a problem with it.

"Why would you do that to yourself?" he almost looked choked up.

"Joe, just spit it out, I can't read minds!" I was tired of waiting for his response.

"Why would you go to a treatment center to talk to a girl with similar issues, when yours aren't completely under control as well? Dem, I don't want it to bring up any bad thoughts of before." For the first time since our breakup, I looked into Joe's eyes and smiled. Not my usual smile. A big smile. Ear to ear. "Why are you so happy? This is serious! I don't want you to relapse like you did earlier! Dem, I care about your well-being." I was exploding inside. Joe finally showed me some emotion. I just wanted him near me.

"Joe, come here you've been standing this whole time." He left the groceries in the kitchen and sat beside me on the couch. "I'm glad that you care, but I think that I can really help Ryan. If she's been there for 3 years, there must be something that's not letting her move forward. Maybe seeing someone who went through it and still struggles will let her know she's not alone." Mitchie popped into my head. She told me about Ryan for that same purpose. All I'm doing is returning the favor.

"I know, but I don't want you to get stressed out trying to be perfect for Ryan. You're already perfect to me."

My big smile returned again, and I saw Joe looking away, as if he didn't just give me the best compliment ever.

I grabbed his chin and positioned it in front of mine. "You make me perfect."

I pushed my lips against his, loving the warmth that came from his mouth. I pulled away before I lost control. I had a sweet smirk on my face, like a school girl with her first kiss. I grabbed his hand and intertwined it with my own. Joe's eyes met mine. We were thinking the same thing, for once.

He leaned forward, and gave me a gentle kiss, not aggressive at all. I kissed him back; I've never wanted him more. Our lips were in perfect sync. His tongue entered my portal, it made me want him even more. Our tongues were gliding against each other evort-lessly. His lips were so moist I couldn't contain myself. I started to tilt back, encouraging him to continue. He kissed me more passionately. His hands were running through my long brown hair. I wanted him closer. I put my hands around his neck gently pulling him in. he let go of my head resting it on a white lace pillow on the couch. I could see he was uncomfortable; I spread my legs so he could have a place to put his legs. He went back in, and didn't want it to end. I ran my fingers through his hair, his hair was always so soft. I grasped it hard, as he kissed me harder and harder. His lips left mine, slowly he was going toward my neck. I wanted him so bad, but I knew what this would lead to. Before I could stop him, a slight moan left my mouth. Before another could come I practically shouted, "JOE!"

"What, am I hurting you? Just let me know." The same smile stretched across my face again. How was he making it appear?

"No, im fine. But what about your ring JJ? I know how important that is to you." He looked saddened.

"Yeah, it's important, but your more important. Demetria, I want you to be my first." He only called me Demetria once before.

On the set of Camp Rock. I remember we hadn't before. I knew him, but he didn't know me. He was notified by the director that my name's Demetria. He walked up to me ever so smoothly, "Hey Demetria, I'm Joe and I'm really pumped to be working with you! So where are you from?"

"Ha, I know who you are Mister Joe Jonas! I'm from Texas, but who told you I was Demetria?"

"The director, why is it wrong?"

"Ha no its not wrong, I just go by Demi!"

"Oh well I'll remember that! *bell rings* Well Demi we better get on set!"

"Demetria?" I was wondering why he referred to me as Demetria and not Demi.

"That's your name, and I wouldn't take off my ring for Demi. I would take it off for Demetria Devonne Lovato. The way you've always been, not how others see."

A tear started to drip down the side of my face, so much has happened today.

"Dem, I didn't mean to make you cry! It's okay if you're not ready!"

I wiped it away and sniffles were in my nose. "I'm not ready Joe."

Joe's head rested on my chest, with a large exhale from his mouth, I knew he was slightly disappointed.

"I'm sorry, I just don't wanna battle that right now." I really didn't wanna think about Joe giving it up for Demetria Devonne Lovato.

He sat up, but didn't leave me cold like he would have before. My knees were still bent, he put his hand on one, and moved his hand side to side. I sat upright like him, curling my legs under one another, and I turned on the TV to some reality show.

Everything Joe said and did earlier finally sunk in. he was there when I relapsed. He was there to make me food. He was there to make me feel comfortable on set. He was there to show he cared. He was there to show his love. He was there to comfort me. He was there when no one else was. So why was I so mad at him?

Water started erupting from my eyes, uncontrollably. It was one of those cries where you almost can't breathe because your crying so hard. Joe pulled me in onto his chest, stroking my hair and holding me tightly.

My sniffles were affecting my speech, "…. I'm…So…. Sorry… Joe.."

"Shh," he started to rock slightly, "Sorry for what Demi?"

I wiped my tears on his navy blue tee, I could feel his muscles, not even flexing. I took some deep breathes and prepared myself, "I've treated you like crap!" I shouted into his rock solid chest, my emotions were so raw at the moment. "YOU'VE BEEN NOTHING BUT NICE TO ME, AND IM BEING A TOTAL BITCH! I DON'T DESERVE YOU JOE! WHY DO YOU KEEP COMING BACK TO ME? IM SO MESSED UP, HOW COULD YOU WANT ME? I COULDN'T EVEN HOLD BACK MY TEARS WHEN YOU SAID MY NAME!" I sat up and grabbed his hands and looked him in the eyes. "Joe, I'm sorry I ignored all your texts, and I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier today, I've realized how lucky I am to have you in my life and I don't want to lose you again! Could you ever forgive me Joe?" I've never cried so much in my life. I just wanted him to know I cared as much as him. My voice was getting heavy, and harder to speak. I started to choke on my tears.

Joe patted my back to assist me.

"Demi, you say nothing that wouldn't make me change my mind about you. You're so beautiful, and talented, and you wear your heart on your sleeve. And if anyone doesn't deserve somebody, I don't deserve you. You're so strong, and that's sexier than any bikini. You shared your story with everyone, and came back better than ever! I'm the lucky one. So I'm willing to give us a second chance if you are."

Joe stood up and held his hand out. I still had my sniffles, but my hand met his and it pulled me up. We stood there holding hands, looking into each other's eyes, both smiling. I looked down with my grin, excited that he was mine again. He lifted my head towards his and kissed me softly. It was short, but filled with more compassion than any Nicolas Sparks novel. I put my arms around his neck, squeezing him tightly. His when around my waist, he picked me up and twirled me around. I yelped in surprise. He set me down, and gazed into my eyes.

"So it that's a yes, Miss Lovato?" Joe was giggling as he spoke it.

"It's a definite yes!" my laugh followed, as I grabbed the back of his head because I needed one more kiss. Joe laughed during the kiss.

"Hah, what is it?"

"I'm just so happy I have you again."

"Awe, JJ!"

"Hey, let's be teenagers again!" Joe said with a smirk on his face.

Before I could ask, I was being picked up sideways, like a bride, as he carried me outside onto the trampoline.

He laid next to me on the nylon material, looking up and the sun which was slightly setting. He grabbed my right hand and caressed his fingers against mine. He lifted my arm up, looking at my tattoo.

"Strong, that's what our relationship will be now. Almost as strong as you."

Joe brought my wrist to his mouth, and kissed my tattoo.