Hold a Smile (Demi Lovato) COMPLETE

Twenty-Three: Snuggle

Demi's POV

Avery has been acting like she doesn't feel good lately. She coughs a lot, she always seems tired, and her nose is always either runny or stuffy. Every time I ask her if she feels okay, she says yes. I don't really know how to handle it.

"Honey, I think you should take this allergy medicine," I said.

She just shook her head. "I'm fine."

"You don't feel well."

"Yes I do." Right after she said that, she sneezed and had to keep her hand over her face. I handed her a tissue. "I have to go wash my hands."

Well at least I know she's concerned about germs like I am.

It's going to be Saturday tomorrow, and I think I'm going to take her to the doctors. I'd have to call in the morning because it's really late.

"Can we watch a movie before bedtime?" Avery asked.

I looked at the time. "It's already pretty late."

Avery looked at the clock. "Oh, okay." She seemed really disappointed, and I couldn't stand it.

"But, I think we can stay up for just one movie." She looked back up at me and smiled widely. I smiled back. I love seeing her happy. "Go pick out a movie." She ran to my movie shelf, and started searching through the titles. She brought one back to me and smiled. I looked down at the movie she had picked out. "Finding Nemo. A great classic."

I set the movie up, then sat on the couch. Avery joined me, leaving plenty of space between us like she always does. After a while, I saw out of the corner of my eye, Avery slowly inching towards me. I looked over, and she froze, staring at the TV. After another ten minutes, she scooted closer, and I pretended not to notice. She did this, slowly moving towards me every once in a while, until she was right beside me. I could tell she was nervous. I lifted my arm up, and she flinched back and retreated to the other end of the couch.

"What's wrong?" I asked, looking over at her.

"I thought you-" she hesitated for a moment. "I thought you were about to hit me."

"Honey, why would I hit you?"

"I'm sorry if you didn't want me that close to you," she said with her head low.

"I brought my arm up so I could wrap it around you and pull you closer."

Her eyes met mine again.

"You wanted to-" she trailed off, scared of finishing the sentence.

"Snuggle?" I asked. She nodded. I smiled and motioned for her. "Come here, sweetie." She slowly crawled back over to me and sat beside me. I wrapped my arm around her and hugged her. She scooted in as close as she could and laid her head on my shoulder. I tucked her hair behind her ear so it was out of her face, feeling her forehead as I did so. She did feel a little warm. I've got to make her an appointment first thing in the morning.

Avery eventually fell asleep in my arms. She rarely gets through a full movie. I gently picked her up and carried her to her room. I laid her on her bed, then pulled the covers over her so only her head was showing. She stirred, but didn't wake up. I kissed her forehead, then left the room.

I went to sleep with a smile on my face.