You Can't Choose Your Family ➸ Demi Lovato

{Chapter 30}

I couldn't contain the smile which spread over my face as the front gate intercom buzzed, a couple of hours after my panic attack.

I was still feeling somewhat anxious but this time for all the right reasons. My stomach was churning nervously yet excitedly to the point where I actually felt kind of sick. I was eager for Joel to arrive. Honestly he'd been a better friend than Kaitlin had ever been even though we'd only been texting for less than a week. He'd been so apologetic for Kaitlin and Anna's behaviour and the fact he always complimented me earned him extra points in my good books. When we'd FaceTimed last night he'd told me I was beautiful at least four times. Although I really don't believe it, especially with my weight increasing, his sweet words still made me feel warm inside and cared for-

My thoughts were cut off my the obnoxiously loud doorbell. Which by the way played Demi's favourite line of All Me by Drake on repeat. 'Hoe shut the fuck up' rang through the kitchen. Dianna face-palmed at her daughters immaturity.

"Answer the door before your boyfriend freezes to death." She said, physically shooing me out of the kitchen.

"He's not my boyfriend," I groaned. I saw Dianna smirk and retreat to the kitchen, leaving me to walk down the hall to the door.

As I reached the door, I pulled my ponytail tighter and brushed off my leggings to get rid of dust which didn't actually exist. Taking in a deep breath I opened the door.

"Saskia!" The older, blue eyed soccer captain immediately wrapped his arms round me. I blushed as his evidently large biceps squeezed me.

Pulling back I stood aside letting him into the house, "come in. How are you?"

Joel followed me into the hall and I shut the cold winter air out quickly,

"All the better for seeing you," he looked me into the eyes and although it was probably meant as a joke, the intense eye contact made it seem like he was actually telling the truth. I could feel myself blush profusely, loosing my voice for a few moments due to my flustered state.

Instead of replying I led him through to the kitchen where Dianna was scrolling through her phone casually, definitely not looking like she'd just shooed me like a chicken down the hall.

"Dianna this is Joel and Joel this is Dianna, my er-," I paused. What is she to me? I guess Dianna is somewhat like my mum. She's Demi, my half sister's mum which makes her almost like my step-mum? I really don't know. "yeh this is Dianna." I stumbled over my words awkwardly.

Dianna gave me a warm smile before reciprocating it to Joel.

"Hello ma'am," Joel walked over to Dianna and held out his hand. Dianna shook it. "Thank you for having me over."

"It's no problem and call me Dianna." Dianna said warmly, "do you like tortillas?" She laughed as Joel and I shared a confused glance, "I'm about to make lunch." She confirmed.

Joel chuckled lightly before answering, "Absolutely. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No no no!" Dianna waved him off, "you two go have fun."

"I'll show you round?" I said, pulling Joel by the arm out of the kitchen. I didn't want to risk Dianna changing her mind and deciding she did want a hand with making lunch. Preparing food is literally the dullest thing ever.

"Sure, this place is amazing." Joel gestured at the marbled hallway floor. "It's your aunt's right?"

"Yeh, my sister's," I confirmed,

"I thought you were living with Demi?" He said, scrunching his face up looking like he was trying to replay the conversation where this information had been shared. He managed to look absolutely adorable whilst doing so.

"Yeh that's right..." I tailed off awkwardly, the family tree subject still being confusing to me. I wanted to avoid having to explain it to anyone else due to the complexity and the fact just thinking about it made the negative feelings I'd been suppressing for a few days surface again.

"She's your sister?" Joel inquired. I bit my lip, not really knowing if I should tell him or just leave him confused? "You don't have to go into it, it's fine," he rubbed my shoulder comfortably. I smiled at him in gratitude. The positive feelings I'd been getting off him being confirmed. He was really sweet and caring, not just a facade behind text.

We made small talk as I showed him briefly round the large house. When we got to the living room Joel announced he could really do with a sit down after his flight. I sat down on the couch first, inviting him to sit down too. Surprisingly he plopped himself down mere centimetres away from me, despite the spacious furniture. I reached for the TV remote but Joel's hand clasped mine, stopping me.

"I can watch TV any day, besides I'd much rather get to know you better," his words sort of took me a back. His full on and unwavering interest in me shocked me. No one has ever cared about me so much, apart from maybe Demi, Marissa and possibly Dallas.  "Tell me about yourself," he leant back, sneakily putting his arm round my shoulders. I leant back into his hold, feeling comfortable yet feeling increasingly more uncomfortable with the question in hand.

"There's not much to know," I shook my head honestly. Joel laughed lightly,

"So there's nothing more to you than being called Saskia Jackon and being an elite softball and basketball player?" He mocked, not unkindly. I shrugged in response. "What's your favourite colour? Your favourite band? Your favourite city? Anything. Throw it at me. I want to get to know the real you, not the misconceptions that run through the school corridors."

"What do they say?" I asked. Receiving no response I pushed further, "about me at school?"

Joel looked a bit uneasy before answering, "as I said it's misconceptions. It's irrelevant. I don't care about their opinions. I want to make up my own mind. You're beautiful Saskia," he gestured at my body as another blush took over my facial features, "but your personality is intriguing. I guess that's why I'm here. I want to know the real you, not the tarnished version which is created in a high school clique's rumours."

What the hell did I do to deserve to run across and befriend this insightful and caring boy with his arm around me?

***
A week since last updated, I'm sorry lovelies but I've been so busy.
I'm seeing Fifth Harmony tomorrow and on Tuesday and I'm so excited it's actually unreal, I'm literally jumping on the spot 😂
Sorry if there are any mistakes, I just wanted to get something out there for y'all
Lots of love💓