Love is Louder (Sequel to Addiction) A Jemi fanfic

Chapter 9: Our Stairs

Demi's POV

I touch my necklace from Joe that's around my neck, feeling the texture and outline of my name. I'm on the balcony of our room looking at the stars wondering if time could pass by any slower. Kate's in the room already sleeping, it's around three in the morning and all I need is fresh air. Yesterday had been a long day and i'm exhausted but can't find my self falling asleep.

I can't help but think of scenarios of when Joe arrives, I can't wait to run into his arms when I see him. His smile plays over and over in my head making me feel happy, sometimes I laugh out loud remembering his goofy grins and jokes. The days until he comes are going to be hell, I need him now.

I wonder if he's sleeping or awake right now, and if he was awake, what he's thinking about. I hope whatever it is, its making him smile.

Joe's POV

The next morning I drive to school with Nick, only a month and a half left until I can graduate. I can't wait, I just want to be able to do whatever I want for a while. Get away from all the high school drama. 

" So when are you leaving again? " Nick asks switching the tracks on my CD until he finds one he likes.

" Next Friday after school, I'll be flying out. " I say wishing it was already that day, Nick nods and smiles.

" It's killing you isn't it? " He asks looking over at me, I nod slowly and keep my eyes on the road. If i'm gonna die soon, it will be from the long waiting to see her. 

" Just hang in there bro. " He says patting my back for a second, I fake a smile hoping I can do it. I'm still pissed about what happened to Demi yesterday, I just want to beat the hell out of that Sterling guy who touched her. 

When we arrive at school, Nick hurries off to find Selena. I walk to my locker grabbing books I need for my first couple of classes. I don't have many friends here anymore because the old ones turned out to be jerks, so I just go to the back of the school and sit on the stairs that Demi and I sat every morning. I miss that, she'd always hold my hands in hers and play with my fingers, she never got bored of it.

She would listen to everything I said and laugh when I said something funny or stupid making feel good inside. She always made cute little faces making me laugh and smile as well, she would help me with the homework I should've done that was due that day. When she was explaining things, I always got distracted because I was just staring at her beauty. She'd always raise her eyebrows when she noticed I wasn't paying attention to what she was teaching me and asked what I was thinking about, and I'd just say nothing cause I was embarrassed. When the bell rang and we didn't have the same class in the morning that day, she'd always kiss me quickly and tell me to be good with a cute little smile. Everything she did made me truly happy inside.

I stare at where she usually sat feeling my eyes start to water, luckily no one was back here to see me. I know that other guys wouldn't act like this only after a few weeks, but I don't care. She took a piece of my heart with her, and without it, I feel empty. 

When the bell rings, I get up and walk to class slowly not wanting to go there. Walking into the classroom that I first saw her just makes things worse, I go and sit in my spot and look at her old spot that was next to mine. Someone else sits there now making me a little angry, I wanted her sitting there and not them. 

When class starts I put my head down not really caring if I got into trouble, I just don't feel like doing any work today. Ashley of course comes in late and sits two seats away right next to Demi's old seat, she winks at me and smiles. I look away and decide to look out the window instead. When I met Demi, it was just beginning to snow, now the grass is green and the sun is shining over the mountains that are visible though the window.

The kid next to me taps my shoulder, I turn to him and he has a note. I take it wondering why he would be giving me a note, I don't even know him. I open it up and realize its from Ashley. It says I know a great Chinese place in town, maybe you and I can go out tonight? She would never have to know. -- Ahsley

I write on the note just a simple leave me alone and hand it back to the guy to pass it back to her, when she gets the note back and reads what it said, she frowns and glares at me. 

" Joe, are you passing notes to Ashley during my class? " Mr. Thatcher asks making me look up, he doesn't look happy.

" Ashley sent me one first and I just sent it back telling her to leave me alone. " I say truthfully, if I get in trouble for this, i'm gonna be so angry with her. 

" Ashley, can I see the note? " He asks putting his arm out to her, she sighs and gives it to him. He reads it and looks at the both of us.

" Both of you to the principle's office. There will be no note passing in my class. " He says throwing away the note and continuing to teach. I glare at Ashley as I walk out of the class, she follows behind me as we walk to the principle's office. I don't get why i'm in trouble. 

I sit in the one of the three chairs outside of the principle's office, Ashley sits in the middle right next to me. She looks up at me and grins, I get up and stand against the wall not wanting her to do anything stupid.

" Why are you mad at me? What did I ever do? " She says with a stuck-up voice while she glares at me, I just ignore her wishing I could just go home. 

" Not going to talk to me huh? Ok, whatever. I'll get you to talk some way. " She says putting on a thinking face that disgusts me. After a while she smiles and continues. 

" Why do you even like that little bitch anyway? " She says grinning knowing that will get something out of me. 

" Ashley, just stop talking. " I say sternly not wanting to get into any more trouble if I talk back to her.

" Like seriously though, she's like a fat walrus. I don't understand why anyone would want to date her. Specially you, you'd think a guy like you would realize how ugly she is and stay away. " She says making me clench my fists, I can feel my temper start to rise. Before I can stop myself, I lose it right there. 

" Ashley, why are you such a bitch? You know, you don't have to bring other people down. If you think it makes you a better person, you're completely wrong. Demi's beautiful and I know you know that, so why do you have to make her feel like she's not? Please just realize that you're not cool by doing that, that nobody likes you for that. And I swear if you keep talking. I'll hit you, I don't care if you're a girl or that I'll get into trouble. Just stop now. " I say feeling a tear slide down my cheek, who knows why I was getting emotional right now, but I can't stop. She looks at me for the first time with real concern. 

" I'm sorry..." She says with hurt eyes, I turn around and look away from her not wanting to see her face any longer. A minute longer, the principle walks out and says " Joe you may leave, Ashley come in my office. " 

" Wait, why are you letting me leave? " I ask wondering why, she smiles a sympathetic smile before she talks.

" Joe, I heard everything you two just said out here. I know who belongs in the office. " She says before she turns around and starts to walk into her office, but then asks one last thing " Is she doing alright?"

I nod knowing who she's talking about, she smiles and goes into her office leaving me alone in the hallway. I walk back out to my car not wanting to continue the day here.