Chapter 8

Demi's POV

6:55pm

How To Succeed In Business Without Even Trying.

Sounds like a comedy doesn't it? Never seen it in action before.

Not until now.

Yeah... I'm doing it.

I'm approaching Nick within surprise tonight.

He has no idea I'm here.

It wasn't my idea... it was my mother's. I'm at Broadway to see him.

It happened a month ago when I had just finished talking to him on the phone...

"So? What did he say?"

"Ugh gosh mom... he was his usual amazing self of course."

"Ha, well he loves doesn't he, of course he's going to be sweet to you."

"I know mom, I know."

"So... explain the conversation..."

"Well, I babbled a little really. I said I missed him and how I wished I could see him and stuff, the stuff that I wanted to say."

"And his reply?"

"He misses me so much he says, he wants to see my beautiful face. He was just as soft and happy and gentle with me just before I left. He hasn't changed, he's still the same old Nick."

"That's great Demi. I feel like a love doctor with you two."

"Yeah mom... why is that?"

"Because I know you're crazy about him. He's treated you much better than Joe did."

I sighed. "Yeah but mom, why do you want me to be with him?"

"Because in my heart, it's saying that he's the guy you're going to end up being with for a long time... maybe till the day you die!"

"But... aren't you supposed to be more like, 'you can't settle down now, you need to get better before you settle down' and blah blah blah..."

"Well yeah, I want you to get better of course honey. But at the same time, it's killing you that you've had to keep away from him. You've been stable, but you haven't been happy. You may have been content enough to cope, but I don't know... it's like he's your glue or something. I mean, that song you wrote together... it's like that song was how you both feel!"

"What, Stop The World? That was originally written for someone else..."

"I know that Demi... but are you sure you weren't thinking of Nick when you wrote it?"

I had to think for a moment, as I looked down... knowing that for the love of that is all good and pure that mom was fucking right.

I didn't want to admit she was right, but I felt defeated.

"Yeah yeah okay fine mom... yes, I thought of Nick when I wrote it. But I didn't know how I felt about him then, and I'm not 100% sure now."

"Not 100% sure now? Pfft, yes you are. You're in love with him Demi, and it's about time you admitted that to yourself. You care about him and you put his happiness in front of yours by going to treatment. Because even though it was killing him that you were gone all that time, it made him happy that you got help. Like you've said, all he wants is for you to be happy."

"Goddamnit mom stop being so right and.. accurate and darn right annoyingly... sentimental!"

She laughs, "I'm sorry darling. I'll shut up next time."

I smirk at her and giggle a little. In the end, she's the best mom I could ask for.

But she stops smiling and looks at me seriously, "There's something you need to know, so listen." I frown slightly, and I nod.

She takes in a deep breath, "I'm going to see How To Succeed, and I have an extra ticket."

She holds out 2 tickets to prove that she really is going.

And I already guessed she wanted me to go with her.

"Oh god mom... I don't know."

"Just take it. And if you really don't want to go, then you can give it back to me and I'll take Dallas."

I sighed and stared at it for a moment, it almost flashing like silver.

I gingerly took it, not being able to contemplate what it would be like if I was going to actually see him. What if I do go? Holy shit I just... I can't.

"Mom I..."

"I know. It's a scary thought. But you have 2 weeks to decide, so don't panic now."

I nodded, "Okay mom, thanks."

She smiled me, her reassuring smile.

"Whatever decision you make, I won't judge."

So after that, I almost instantly decided that it was in fact a good idea in the end to go and see him.

So here I am, on the 4th of April, going inside with my mom holding my hand... well not literally.

I was nervous.

Mom's plan was after the show, to take me to the diner that was just a few blocks from here, and for me to wait there as she picked up Nick. I was going to talk to Nick face to face on my own.

I'm not going to lie, I'm shit scared.

But nonetheless, we walked into the theatre and showed our tickets to the man. He nodded for us to go and before we were properly inside the stage part, we grabbed our drinks and snacks. I got myself a bottle of water and a bag of chips to munch on. Mom didn't get any food, just a glass of chardonnay.

We were both wearing fancy clothes. I was wearing my favourite pair of 5 inch black heels, with my hair curled still blond, light makeup, wearing a Helmut Lang two-tone crepe dress with a crossover V neck. It was something I thought would be suitable for theatre.

So yeah, there was I sitting comfortably in the middle area of the theatre, on the second floor, patiently waiting for the curtains to open and for the show to begin.

I looked over at mom, she was looking forward, also waiting herself to see Nick again.

I don't know what it is, but it almost felt like she wanted Nick to be her son in law or something.

I really do think that she wants me to get marry to that Jonas boy.

And quite frankly, I don't know what to feel about that. What if I do marry him? What if I had kids with him! Oh my god, these thoughts are freaking out... must stop it.

Looks like the show was starting anyway.

The curtains drew open, and there already stood was Nick.

The lights faded on, the scene being set.

He was glowing, he looked... eye catching.

He just looked so content and so... flawless somehow.

I just wanted to run up on the stage and hug him.

The show was over now.

It was great. Nick really is a fabulous actor.

He's better at singing and playing music, but I did like his performance.

There was singing involved anyway, so I got it both ways.

Mom had gone down the alleyway, where she was going to try and drag Nick out before all his fans got there first.

I was now alone, walking down towards the diner with my raybans on.

It was now 9:30pm, and it wasn't as easy to see in the sunglasses as I would have liked due to it being dark, but I had to wear them so I wasn't so easily recognised.

But being out this late, I don't think anyone would recognise me.

I got to the famous diner that I had visited quite a lot when I came to New York. It was open 24 hours and it was a great place to get breakfast.

It was called Mama's Dineria. Quite a catchy name I suppose.

When I sat down, one of the waitresses already came over, smiling at me. I knew her vaguely, her name was Julie. She looked about 25.

She gave me a seemingly genuine smile, "Hi Demi... nice to see you again. What would you like to order?"

I smiled back, "Hiya Julie. I'll have the usual americano and er... 2 plates of fries please."

"2 plates? Is someone meeting you here?"

I nodded, "Yeah... an old friend."

"That's nice. Your order will be out soon." She smiled again and walked away to bring my order.

There was a couple of other people in here, but they had no idea who I was. Well maybe they did, but weren't fans and didn't care.

But that was okay, because this made this meetup much easier.

That was then at the corner of my eye, I saw mom and... well Nick himself.

He looked confused, like whatever mom was saying didn't make any sense.

But then she must have been telling him that there was a surprise in the diner for him and that she was leaving.

Right on cue I was right, she started to walk away... winking at him.

Nick was still baffled, turning round to open the front doors.

And that's when he stopped in his tracks, noticing me. His whole face lit up.

He then started coming over to my table.

"Demi!"

I stood up, and gave him a wide grin. I walked up to and spread my arms out, he doing the same and we pulled each other into a hug.

"Oh Nick... it's great to see you."

"The pleasure is mine Miss Lovato."

I couldn't help but giggle at that charming line, his husky getting me all giddy.

Goddamnit the effect he had on me!

The hug felt so comforting, I felt so safe.

It was the best feeling in the world.

I could feel his breath on my hair, his arms round me so tight. I could tell from the hug that he needed to keep hold of me to live in the moment... because that's exactly how I felt.

I needed to take it all in, and just remember the feel of his warm body, the way his hugs always made me feel like we were the only 2 people in the whole wide world.

I heard him stifle a happy hum, like he was thinking of something that made him laugh.

I couldn't stop smiling, myself humming a little at this lovely feeling.

The hug was probably far too long for us to be just friends, but I didn't care.

Because I thought of him much more than a friend.

It's just taken me all this time to fucking realise.

We then eventually let go. But I already missed the feeling when we both sat down.

He looked at me and said, "You look well."

I smiled, "Thanks. So do you. You did a great performance tonight by the way."

"Thank you Dem, much appreciate it."

"No problem. So er, you like fries right?"

He chuckled, "Yes... did you order some?"

I nodded, "But I didn't know what you wanted to drink so..."

"No worries Dem, I know I don't stick to the same drink. I'm probably going to have a cinnamon latte."

Julie came over again, her beaming smile once again spread across her face.

"Ah Nick! So you're the old friend of Demi's. She just said you were coming! What would you like?"

"Hi Julie... nice to see ya. Yeah, me and Demi need to do some catching up! I would like a cinnamon latte please."

"Gotcha. Well it's lovely when things like this happen isn't it? Your coffee will be coming right up!"

Nick smiled at her and then looked back at me.

"It's a shame a lovely person like that is working hard in such a small diner isn't it?"

I nodded, "Yeah... she seems too intelligent to be working as a waitress."

"Agreed. Anyway, so tell me about your year..."

"Not much to tell really. It's been great though, a lot of touring has been going on again. I did the Stay Strong documentary a couple of months ago. Things have been a lot better."

"Is that it? Surely something amazing has happened to you?"

"Nah... same old same old. Since treatment things haven't changed, except I'm a lot healthier and happier."

"Really? Are you a lot better than you were?"

"Yeah. I mean I still have my moments of weakness, but I haven't cut in months... nor purged."

I noticed the look of relief on Nick's face when I said that.

"That's... amazing to hear. Keep it up Dem, I know you can fight those demons."

I smiled at him, eager to just give him a kiss on the lips.