You Can't Choose Your Family ➸ Demi Lovato

{Chapter 14}

It's the day after thanksgiving and everything has changed.

Demi went to stay with Wilmer yesterday after the meal. I've texted her and apologised at least five times for triggering her but she just won't reply. I've given up now, arriving at the conclusion that maybe her ignoring me is a good thing. She can continue with her recovery and I won't jeopardise that any longer.

Nevertheless, I found myself feeling bitter about what she's done. She promised to help me but she left. Just like my mother, my father, my grandparents and everyone else I've loved in my life. Apart from Marissa (but she's not here now) and seriously I don't know whether I'll see her again.

Also, because of my Instagram account, everything at home will change too. I've gotten multiple texts from people at school who have ignored me for years saying 'happy thanksgiving'. Like what the hell? They've never spoken to me before but now, suddenly because they find I'm related to someone famous, they're interested? I mean they've even made a real effort to get my number from one of my teammates as they're the only ones who I've ever given my number out to. People are so shallow.

Hence I'm dreading going back to school on Monday. Eugh, Monday. Three days away.

"Saskia we're leaving in an hour!" Amber screamed from some other room in the house. Currently I'm sitting in the deserted second lounge, keeping my distance from Dianna and the family who probably hate me for driving their daughter away.

I sighed. As much as I wanted to leave the awkwardness of this place, I really didn't want to go home. First, there's school. Secondly, it means it will be harder to avoid Amber. And lastly, bloody Cole will be there. Why can't I have a step dad like Eddie? Why do I have to have one who only has eyes for his two actual kids and who shouts at me for every fucking thing I do wrong?

I decided I better move and get packing when Amber shouted for the third time.

I trudged into Maddie's room. Maddie had kind of been cold towards me since Demi left. I'd used the blow up mattress on the floor for the first time last night. I did it on my own accord but I was sort of hurt when she didn't invite me into her bed. 

Why did I have to screw it all up again?

I collected my things, quickly shoving them into my duffel bag. Luckily Maddie wasn't in her room so there was no awkward tension. I'd had enough of that in the past twelve hours to last a life time.

I grabbed my stuff when I was done and dragged it down the stairs. Because I'm such a weakling and so small, my bag got the better of me and let's just say we ended up in a tangled mess at the bottom of the stair well.

I heard a familiar cackle.

Demi?!

I sat up and looked around, locating the laugh. I spotted Dallas at the other end of the hallway, laughing at my 'graceful' bag manoeuvring.

Why am I so stupid? Demi's not going to come back for you. You're too much of a trigger for her.

I guess some part of me is still hopeful she'll come and say goodbye.

"Want some help with that?" Dallas chuckled. She came over and picked up my duffel bag, annoyingly with ease.

"Thanks," I muttered, quietly. She probably hates me for scaring away her sister too.

"No problem kiddo." Dallas offered me a hand which I hesitantly took and pulled me up to my feet. "We're gonna miss you round here." She pouted as we made our way down another flight of stairs and towards the drive where Amber's car was.

I didn't really know how to reply to that. To be honest, I wasn't really sure if she was being sarcastic and joking around with me. I kept my mouth shut.

"Sask, sure you're okay?" Dallas turned to me after slamming the trunk of the car shut.

I nodded, plastering my well practised fake smile on my face.

"Uh, well." Dallas shifted her weight awkwardly. "Just promise you'll text or call Dem or Marissa or even me if you ever need to."

Marissa possibly, although she's probably already forgotten about me. Demi is a no go, she hates me and I'd only hurt her. Dallas, well I don't even know her too well to trust her without mentioning the fact I'm really not sure if she hates me or not too...

"Promise Saskia?" Dallas looked straight into my eyes. I pretended to be interested in the car, averting my gaze. I was scared I'd crumble again.

"Yeh, I'm fine though." I lied, smiling at my aunt.

"Good, now come here," she gestured for me to hug her but I couldn't make myself do it. She hates me...?! "I knew something was up!" Dallas sighed, "You think Demi hates you don't you?"

Man, why can these Lovato's read me so well! Am I really that open?

I shrugged, looking at the car still.

"She doesn't hate you, she just needs a little space. Trust me, she fucking loves you like a sister!" Dallas smiled,

"But I sent her away from you all," I sighed,

"It's not your fault-" I cut Dallas off.

"Then why hasn't Dianna or Maddie spoken to me since she left?!" I huffed, feeling tears forming in my eyes.

"They have no right to be mad at you." Dallas said, looking kind of angry. "They're just being selfish."

She actually just stood up for me? I honestly can't remember the last time someone did that for me...

"SASKIA THERE YOU ARE!" A pissed looking Amber appeared from the front door. Completely shattering the aunt/niece cute moment. Way to go mom! "We're leaving now."

Dianna, Eddie, Maddie, Denley and Aubrey appeared into the parking area out front too.

Mom hugged them all before coming over and hissing in my ear, "stop being so fucking rude and say thank you."

I approached Eddie first, slowly.

"Nice seein' ya kid!" He embraced me into a bear hug which left me struggling to breath. When he released me I giggled.

"Thanks Eddie." I smiled. I liked Eddie. He looked all hard and scary on the outside but he was actually just like a big fluffy bear.

Then the awkwardness settled in.

I walked up to Maddie.

"Bye Mads."

"Bye." She didn't even offer me a hug. Considering we'd spent hours curled up watching Netflix and plotting pranks together, I thought a hug would be expected. But no. She gave me a brief wave and went to hug Aubrey and Denley instead.

"Bye Dianna, thank you for having me." I said politely.

"It was lovely meeting you," Dianna replied with the sort of tone you'd give to a stranger, not to family. The motherly like tone she'd spoken to me yesterday in had completely gone.

"And you." I said, keeping my tone sweet.

After getting a large hug from Dallas the tears were getting increasingly difficult to hold back. As soon as I find some genuinely nice people in this world, they turn against me. Well actually no. I just screw it all up.

I climbed into the car and sat back in my seat and waved at Dallas until we were out of the fancy metal gates and on the road back to Albuquerque.

I stared out the window, discreetly wiping away the loose tears. Why did I fuck everything up?

***
I feel like this chapter is shit so sorry for that 😔
Stay strong amazing people💘