Hello, From the Other Side

Chapter 5

Demi

Walking down the path from my house to the old barn was like taking a trip through a time capsule. Nothing had changed since I'd left. The trees were the same. The grass was the same. Everything was the same, except for the simple fact that I was gone.

"Dad?" I said quietly as I knocked lightly on the barn door. My dad turned around and I saw something that had changed. My father. "Demi?" he asked. He eyed me. Just as much as I did to him.

My dads once black hair was now gray on the sides. His skin was wrinklier than I remember. His eyes had bags under them that looked like he hadn't slept in days. And his mouth, dropping looked like he'd forgotten how to smile.

"I can't believe you're really here." He told me as he walked over and gave me a hug. "I thought your mom was out of her mind when she told me you called and said you were coming to visit." my dad said. I could see the joy in his eyes. He was truly happy to have me back.

We chatted a little bit, when my sister Dallas's car pulled up. "Dallas!" I squealed. Dallas got out of the passenger seat with a tall dark haired hottie. "Demi?" she questioned taking her sunglasses off and putting them on top of her head. "Oh my god Demi!" she said giving me a hug. "Babe; this is my sister. Demi this is Mike, my fiancé." I shook his hand even though he clearly already knew who I was.

"Oh wow. you're engaged." I said with a fake smile. Wasn't this something I was supposed to know? I'm her little sister. I should be her maid of honor. Helping her plan her wedding. I began to feel overwhelmed with guilt.

After catching up with Dallas. We all sat down at dinner. I was beside joe and my mom. Across from my little sister Madison. Who wasn't so little anymore if you ask me. "Madison can you hand me the salt?" I asked her. She nodded and handed it to me without making eye contact. Barb grabbed the salt out of my hands. "Carbs Demi-" she started. "Barb. You're in OUR house today. If my baby wants some carbs she can have some carbs." My mom scolded handing the salt back to me.

I wasn't paying attention to what was going on, I was just so fixated on my sister. When I last saw her she was 9 years old. She'd just lost all her baby teeth. She had the most squeezable cheeks in the world. Now here she is in front of me 13 years old, almost 14 looking like a teenager. Suddenly, the guilt I felt showered over me was too much to bear.

We could all tell there was an elephant in the room that was caused by me. No one brought it up though. I'm sure it was because my family wanted me to stay or come back again. I only hoped Joe wouldn't write anything bad about this time.

When it was time to leave, I hugged all my family like I hadn't ever before. I exchanged numbers with my mom and sister and told them I would come back soon. I really intended too. Instead of goodbye, I told them all, "I'll see you later".

Joe

It was an emotional day. Demi reconnecting with her family. It really was. i was ashamed to be a part of something that was supposed to be so intimate between a family. I was an intruder. I don't know how Barb can thing this is okay.

"Thank you for making me feel better about this." Demi said when we got on the bus. I looked at her. "I'm sorry for everything Barb puts you through." I told her. I honestly meant it to.

"Are you going downstairs?" she asked me crawling on her bunk. I shook my head. "Why?" I asked. "I'm going to lock the door to the stairs for a few hours so no one bothers me. I wasn't sure if you wanted to be up here or not." she told me. "I don't mind." I told her.

Demi turned the lock on the small door and climbed up on her bed and got her iPad. "Netflix and chill?" she asked with a giggle. I smiled and nodded. "Sure." I said scooting over to her bunk. Her bunk was a little crowded because it's about the size of a twin size bed, but it's still way bigger than the other bunks.

"Okay, your all time favorite movie - GO." Demi said. "Nightmare before Christmas." we both said in unison. "Wait? Really?" I asked her. She nodded. "Yes." she opened up the movie on Netflix.

We really had a great time. We both began to sing to the opening song This is Halloween together.

Towards the middle of the movie, Demi started to get tired and nestled her head on my chest. I honestly didn't care too much. I was having a great time getting to know her. The actual Demi, not some plastic Barbie everyone tries to make her.

"Joe," she whispered. "Can I tell you something?" she asked. I nodded. "Anything." I told her. I meant it sincerely. "I've never had my first kiss." She said. "Really?" I asked her. she started to blush. "Really. But, I want you to change that." she told me.

My head was empty, and my heart thumped fast. I caressed the side of her cheek, and touched my lips softly to hers. I held them there for about 3 to 5 seconds before pulling away. She smiled up at me and put her head back down.

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OKAY GUYS THIS IS IMPORTANT!
New Story uploaded, go look. Sorry for the slow updates but finals are coming up 😭 But thennnnn CHRISTMAS BREAK. & you will have LOTS AND LOTS of updates. so bear with me, & go check out The Art of Losing!
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