Love is Louder (Sequel to Addiction) A Jemi fanfic

Chapter 16: Innocent

Joe's POV

I stand up from the sand and start wiping off the remains that were on my shirt, I put my hand out to Demi and help her up. She smiles and playfully punches me in the arm for tackling her, I grin and laugh.

" Whatever Joe, next time it won't be so easy to catch me. " She says pointing a finger at me with a smirk  on her face.

" Oh really huh? " I ask playfully taking another step towards her, she nods with confidence and crosses her arms. 

" Yeah, but later. " She says giving in and taking the few steps in between us and putting her arms around my waist. I hug her close glad that I'm here, that I actually get to see her. I then grab her hand and start to lead her down the beach, not knowing where we're walking. 

" So you'll never guess what happened at school with Ashley. " I say remembering that I was suppose to tell Demi what Ashley had said.

" What? Did she hit a home run with someone in the principal's office or something? " Demi asks casually knowing that Ashley would probably do that. 

" Ha ha, but no. She got me in trouble one day in class because she wouldn't stop passing notes, we both had to go to the principal's office. The principal let me go since Ashley was being a bitch to me out in the hallway, next day comes around, Ashley's at my house. She's crying and telling me to tell you sorry for everything she has done and hopes you will forgive her. " I say seeing Demi's different reactions to everything I say. Her last reaction though is shocked. 

" She said what? " Demi has to ask, the news does sound very surprising.

" Yeah it's weird. She then said she'll stay out of our lives and then left. " I say remembering thinking it was strange.

" That's...different for her. Well at least she might be changing. " Demi says smiling knowing that's what Ashley needs the most.

" Yeah, i'm just glad we don't have to deal with her anymore. " I say happily, I just hope she meant what she said. That she'll actually stay out of our lives. 

" Same here...what else is new back home? " She asks curiously looking out into the water. 

" Well let's see...Nick and Selena are doing good, they seem to be getting real serious. " I say happy for my little brother.

" Really? That's good. " Demi says smiling, I know she likes Selena a lot and wouldn't want her and Nick breaking up. 

" Yeah, they see each other like everyday. Most of the time, their just making out...but hey, who am I to judge? " I say smirking, Demi looks up at me and playfully punches my arm again with a cute smile on her face.

" Well I'm happy for them, anything else new?  " She says shaking her head back and forth slightly with a smile.

" Well...not really I guess. Graduation is coming in a month, which is crazy. " I say thinking of my first day of high school.

" It is crazy, time goes by so fast. " She says looking at the ground as we walk, something must be on her mind.

" Yeah it does...so are you graduating in the treatment center? " I ask remembering about that, I don't know how she feels about it.

" Yeah, it sucks since it's just gonna be me and Kate in her office, but I'll get over it. " She says looking a little down, maybe I can figure out something to do then to make her feel more excited about it. 

" Well maybe it won't be so bad. At least you don't have to go through hour rehearsals. " I say already dreading it in a few weeks. 

" That is true. " She says turning her frown into a smile, she stops walking and lets go of my hand. She then sets the her shoes that she's been carrying away from the water and goes a couple feet in the water. I then do the same thing with my shoes and go stand by her.

We both watch as the waves softly crash against the rocks in the shore, their ripples brushing each stone. The sun shinning just behind the distant clouds, fire erupting where the suns rays touch the water. I've never been to Florida before, it's cooler than it is on TV or the movies. 

" It sure is pretty, isn't it? " Demi asks smiling grabbing my hand once again. 

" Definitely. "  I respond squeezing her hand knowing that she must be happy to be out of the treatment center. We then start to walk back towards the car since it's almost noon, wonder where we can find something to eat. 

*****

 " So tell me about what's going on here. What are you doing everyday? " I ask before taking a bite of  my hot dog that we got at a hot dog stand up the road on a more crowded beach. We're just sitting on the curb in the parking lot looking out towards the ocean. 

" Well most days are the same. Wake up, eat, go to talk with Kate in her office for like an hour to just catch up on my feelings. " She says air quoting with her two fingers when she says " my feelings. "

" We also then get an hour of exercise, I do my on-line school, then we either read articles on stuff about my problems, and then I have a little free time. " She continues with taking a bite of her hot dog when she's done talking. 

" Is this fun or boring to you? " I ask wondering if she's always miserable there or not. 

" Well, someday's if i'm in a good mood, it can be fun. A lot of times though, it's hard to get up each morning knowing what the day is going to be like. " She responds watching a kid pass by with his balloon. 

" Well, just remember that this a good thing. It's helping you get over your addictions. " I say hoping that will make her feel a little better about the situation.

" Yeah, I just wish I could recover faster. " She says looking down straight at the ground.

" Well to me you're looking a whole lot better than you were before. " I say honestly, she does seem different, in a good way though. She just nods looking unsure, there's sadness in her eyes and it hurts me. 

" Demi, what's wrong? " I ask worried that I had said something that might have upset her. 

" Well...Joe i'm going to tell you this since I know I can tell you anything. " She starts out wiping a tear that flows down her cheek.

" You can tell me anything, what is is? " I ask hating to see her sad, I feel her heart breaking and it bothers me. She stays silent for a minute, I don't say anything knowing she's prepping herself to tell me. 

" Even with all this treatment...I still want to cut myself. Sometimes the urge is so bad, that I have to go to my room and just...let everything out....Kate calls those times my dark hours. " She says not meeting my eyes, the way she's getting so upset must mean that these " dark hours " are not very good. 

" What happens when this happens? " I ask hoping she will respond, I hope it's not too personal.

" I just cry and let all my anger out...its when my inner demons attack me with all they have. " she says making my heart shatter. I had no idea that she was still doing bad here, I thought she was almost recovered. I guess not though.

" I'm so sorry Demi...you don't deserve any of this. " I say putting my arm around her and letting her head lay on my shoulder. She sighs and nods in agreement, at this moment, I feel bad for her. Why did she get all of this hardship? She's done nothing wrong.