No Angel

XVI

The party was cool, but partying and clubbing wasn't as fun as it used to be. Demi didn't know why but it just didn't feel the same. One of her signature LBD's adorned her body like a second skin and as soon as her and Jhene entered the club all eyes were on them, but none of it felt right. She felt as if she should be back at home with Lola watching The Princess and the Frog, despite how many times she had seen the movie, in her favorite pair of sweatpants with a bowl of popcorn in front of her. The feel of people sweating and grinding and spilling their alcoholic beverages made her cringe in disgust instead of making her want to join the party.

"Cheer up," Jhene chimed as they headed upstairs to the VIP area. A smoky haze was floating from upstairs and Demi already knew that every person up there would be high as hell. That was the crowd that she hung around with after all.

"Jhene!" Omarion exclaimed, making his way over to them as Demi subconsciously hid behind Jhene a bit, even though they were both the same height.

Jhene and Omarion exchanged some words that Demi couldn't really hear and when it was her turn to speak, she tugged one side of her mouth up into a smirk to make it seem as if she wanted to be here. It was more convincing than her fake, tight lipped smile.

"Didn't know the infamous Demi Lovato would be gracing my party with her presence," he complimented, leaning into her to kiss her cheek as she tried to keep the smirk on her face.

"Wouldn't dream of missing it," even if she did, and she was dreaming of being back at home. But she was doing this because Jhene asked her too and after months of isolation and loneliness, she really wanted her best friend back.

"Demi, come say hi to Chris," Jhene said, taking her hand and tugging her away from Omarion. Chris was seated on one of the leather couches with a blunt between his lips and two girls on either side of him. But as soon as he saw Demi, he stood up and walked over to greet her.

"Long time no see," Chris greeted, bringing her flush against his body. She had to hold her breath because the smell of weed was way too strong and the last thing she needed was an asthma attack.

"Well I'm not the one who dropped out of tour," Demi reminded him as Jhene made herself busy talking to someone else. Demi couldn't tell who it was.

"I had good reasons. It was the wrong time for a tour for me and I shouldn't have accepted it with everything that I have going on right now. I really wanted to get to know you on tour but we can do that now, right?" Chris questioned as Demi chewed on her bottom lip. Chris had always been cute to her...always. She used to love his music when he was younger and he always got tons of bad press. But he couldn't be as bad as everyone made him out to be, could he? But did she really need another guy in her life when she already had so much going on?

"I'm not asking to get married, damn, I just want to hang out. I get my daughter tomorrow...so do you wanna go to the park with us or something? Have lunch there?" He must've noticed the contemplated look on her face. He was just asking to hang out and there was no harm in that. Plus, she could bring Lola with her. There would be two kids there so nothing would happen.

"Okay," Demi agreed, causing a smile to spread across Chris's face.

"Oh my God, this is my song! We have to go dance!" Jhene exclaimed, grabbing Demi's arm and yanking her down the stairs as Post to Be began to play. Of course this was her song. She was featured on it.

Jhene wasted no time squeezing in the middle of the crowd and beginning to move her hips to the beat as Demi did the same. Maybe she hadn't been having fun earlier because she wouldn't let herself have fun. There wasn't even any alcohol in her system but she was having the time of her life dancing in the middle of the club with her best friend.