Misery | A Bratayley Fanfic

10

Jade's POV
"Mom, can I go hang out with Maddie?" I asked, standing in the doorframe of Mom's room.

"I don't see why not." Mom replied.

"Can I sleep over there too?"

"Sure, just take one of the vlog cameras with you. Jules and Hayley didn't bring the camera with them, and we need content." Mom said, chuckling.

"Where did they go?" I asked.

"They're sleeping over at your Dad's place." Mom answered.

I nodded before I looked down at the floor.

"Are you okay?" Mom asked.

"Yeah," I began saying before I was interrupted by a honking outside. "That should be Maddie. Bye, Mom!" I exclaimed, hugging Mom. I also grabbed the camera.

"Hey!" Maddie said as I climbed into the passenger side of her car.

"Hey.." I replied quietly.

"What's wrong?" Maddie immediately questioned.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it." I quickly put on a fake smile.

Truth is, I don't understand how Jules and Hayley can hang out with our Dad as if nothing happened between him and Mom. It's also obvious Dad didn't try to fight for custody at all. Does he even love his own children anymore?

"Are you okay with us sleeping over at Demi's? Our parents are having some guests over and I don't think I want to be there for that." Maddie laughed a bit.

"I'm okay with that." I replied.

Demi called me a couple days ago to check in on how I was doing. I don't understand why because no one cares about me.

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Maddie and I arrived at Demi's place and got out of the car. We both walked in and we're instantly greeted by two small dogs.

"Oh my god! They're so cute!" I exclaimed, sitting down on the floor. I soon learned their names were Cinderella and Batman.

"Maddie, is that you?!" Demi questioned from somewhere in the house.

"Yeah!" Maddie replied. "Want to scare Demi?"

"Yes!" I told Maddie.

"Demi doesn't know you're here, so go behind the couch and wait till Demi sits down." Maddie explained.

"Okay." I said before going to hide behind the couch.

"Hey, Dems." Maddie greeted Demi and hugged her. "Wanna watch a movie?

"Sure, baby girl." Demi replied before making her way to the couch. Demi sat down and Maddie sat next to her.

"What should we watch?" Maddie questioned.

"I say we watch Marley & Me, but that's my personal preference." I spoke up, popping up from behind the couch.

"Holy shit!" Demi exclaimed, jumping up and away from the couch. "Jade!"

"It was Maddie's idea to scare you." I said, laughing and proceeding to jump over the back of the couch.

"Give me a hug, bitch." Demi laughed slightly, holding her arms out. I smiled and went over to hug her. "We need to talk later." She whispered in my ear. I nodded before letting go from the hug.

"So, Marley & Me?" I asked.

"Yes!" Maddie and Demi said.

After we finished watching the movie, Maddie went upstairs to take a shower.

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"How are you doing?" Demi asked as I was left alone with her.

"I'm okay." I lied, not wanting to burden her with my problems.

Demi gave me a knowing look. "You don't seem okay. What's on your mind?"

"It's nothing.. it's probably stupid anyway." I shrugged.

"Hey, nothing is ever stupid if it's bothering you." Demi told me. "Now.. what's wrong, baby girl?"

"It's just.." I started, trying to think of what to say. "It's complicated. I don't understand how Jules and Hayley can hang out with our Dad as if nothing happened between him and our Mom."

"Jules and Hayley are you sisters, right?" Demi questioned.

"Yeah, they are." I answered. "Our Dad didn't even try to fight for custody of us. Does he even love us anymore?"

"I'm sure your Dad still loves you guys." Demi put an arm around my shoulder and held onto me. "Our Dad didn't get custody either, but he still loved Dallas and I. Our Dad wasn't the greatest man, but he still loved his children."

"I.. I don't know.." I whimpered, tears blurring my vision.

"Aww, don't cry.." Demi whispered, quickly hugging me.

"I-I'm sorry.." I whispered.

"Hey, you don't need to apologize." Demi tried reassuring me. I gave her a small smile.

"I'm tired.." I told Demi.

"Okay, I'll show you where you can sleep tonight." Demi said, getting up from the couch.

Demi indicated for me to follow her, so I did. She showed me a nice looking guest bedroom.

"You can sleep in here if you'd like?" Demi said.

"Thanks." I replied.

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I tossed and turned in Demi's guest bedroom, unable to shake off the demons that had been haunting me. It was four o'clock in the morning and I was exhausted, but sleep was impossible. I let out a choked sob, feeling overwhelmed and helpless.

Suddenly, the door opened and the light turned on. Demi rushed over to me, her voice full of concern and comfort.

"What's wrong, Jade?" Demi asked, sitting down next to me.

I couldn't help but break down in front of Demi. I told her about the self-harm, about the pain and the feeling of being trapped. Demi listened patiently, offering words of encouragement and support.

When I finished, Demi got up to get a first aid kit. She cleaned my cuts with gentle hands.

"How long, baby girl?" Demi asked, referring to the self harm. She didn't bother to hide how worried she was.

"A little more than one and a half years.." I answered.

"Does your Mom and Dad know?" Demi asked, her voice soft.

I hesitated for a moment before lying. "Yes, they know."

Demi looked at me with a knowing expression. "They don't know, do they?"

"They can't know. It would crush them. They already lost one child, I don't need them constantly fearing that they might lose another." I said, picking at my fingernails.

"Might lose another?" Demi questioned, worriedly.

"It's just.." I struggled to think of what to say. "It's just hard to keep going. It's like everyday keeps getting harder.." I choked out.

Demi hugged me tightly. "I understand why you feel that way, but keeping this a secret won't make things better. You need to tell your parents. They can help you."

"I'll tell my Mom, but I don't want to tell my Dad. He doesn't need to know." I said, feeling a sense of dread.

Demi nodded. "That's okay. I'll be there with you when you tell your Mom. You won't have to do it alone."

I felt a sense of relief wash over me. "Thank you, Demi."

Eventually, I was able to finally get some sleep.