Hold Me Close: A Jemi Story

Chapter 16

Fifty two days had gone by, with some good days and others, not so much. 

I had found myself totally and utterly focused on work, and friends. I was now moved up to third supervisor, and I couldn't have been happier while I kept busy writing and publishing, doing interviews with models and setting up photo shoots. I had a lot on my plate, but it was a good distraction from everything else, and it was a nice type of stress that I found relieving. 

Selena and I had grown even closer, and even Nick was with us most of the time. It didn't bother me too much, only a couple of times when he let slip an old family story about past Christmases or birthdays, in which I could picture a small, vulnerable Joe with big brown eyes and messy hair; only then had I gave in to the pain and constant reminder that was starting to feel like such a distant memory now. 

And much to anyone's dismay, Wilmer and I had also gotten closer. I didn't let my guard down completely, but we were a little closer than just friends and I didn't want to believe that he was just my rebound guy. I didn't want to focus on the fact that I was feeling lonely on days when I wasn't slaving over important articles or interview questions, and just needed him to cuddle up with me and order take out while watching old horror movies that had such bad quality, it could make you cringe with humiliation. No, it took a lot for me to admit to myself that I can't get caught up with people like Joe; so perfect on the outside and tainted evilly on the inside. I had to just accept the next best thing.

Being with Wil was familiar; it was comforting and effortless, due to our past. There were occasions where I would over think, get angry at him and kick him out after remembering how badly he had hurt me previously. But he just came back the next day with candies and chocolates, the second I called him and apologized. 

As I sat facing my window, I took a sip of my steaming coffee, holding the mug to my chest as I curled my legs underneath me. I watched hastily as the light rain turned into a downpour, drowning out the city below and drenching people who didn't expect the weather to take such a quick turn. It was soothing, being an outsider. I liked watching the curious people run to their taxis, their briefcases shielding their hair from the rain, or the carefree people who strode confidently, encompassing themselves with their big umbrellas. I didn't mind being the observer for once, being on the outside of the situation and not caught up in a whirlwind of disaster. 

I felt more calm sometimes, when I wasn't a part of anything; just blending into the shadows and comfort of my own home, warm with my coffee and accompanied by my orange tabby sitting by my feet. I felt more secure often than not, when I finally got time like this to myself. To breathe. 

"Demi?" 

Selena's voice rung out from somewhere the house, far enough away that Demi almost didn't hear her.

And just like that, the secure blanket that was my alone time, was unravelled from around me and thrown out into the rain. 

I stood from the window sill, stretching a bit, before walking out of my room and into the kitchen. Selena was perched atop a stool, eagerly biting into a lightly buttered bagel that looked toasted to perfection. 

"There you are," Selena smiled around her mouth full of food.

"I was just drinking my coffee," I said, sitting down across from her and taking a long sip from my mug as if to prove my point. 

Selena nodded, swallowing another mouthful of her bagel. "You're still in your pajamas. I wanted to take you out."

I rolled my eyes, placing my nearly empty coffee mug down on the table in front of me. "They're sweats, not pajamas. And you know, I miss when you used to call before just barging into my house." 

"You're the one who gave me a spare key," Selena pointed out.

"I still don't know what came over me when I decided to do that," I smirked, receiving a playful death glare from Sel. 

"I'm serious Demi, let's go shopping or something. I feel like I haven't seen you in weeks!" She emphasized her sentence, as if pointing out a truthful fact.

A giggle escaped my lips, causing Selena to laugh along with me. She was always one to over exaggerate, and she knew I loved to tease her about it. "It's been two days since I last saw you, actually. And plus, I've just been really busy with work lately. Being third supervisor is serious for me, this will be great on any resume I ever have to write, and I plan to make sure I complete all of my work." 

"You are such an ass kisser," Selena laughed, "I think that I need to get you drunk tonight. Yeah, that's what we're doing, I've already decided. You need to let loose." 

I groaned, already feeling a headache and bile creeping up the back of my throat. I couldn't deal with a hangover tomorrow, it was my only day off this week. I needed to be productive, which did not include laying around in bed all day, throwing up the contents of my stomach. "Definitely not, I am not drinking tonight."

"Are you really going to disagree with me?" Selena smirked, her eyes nearly glowing, "We can either do this the easy way or the hard way, my friend. It's up to you to decide." 

I narrowed my eyes disapprovingly, trying to send death threats via brain waves. I sighed agitatedly, before sucking up my ego and muttering a single word that sent Selena into endless smiles.

"Fine."