Even Heroes Have Scars

[58] Let It Go

Ansley's P.O.V.

~3 Hours Left~

The Call button appeared, and I tapped it, then held the phone to my ear. My heart pounded in my chest. I tried to calm myself by watching the cars passing by. What would I say when she answered?

But she had her party. She was...occupied. Even though I told her to block me, I knew she didn't. Demi was the type of person who always had this small glimmer of hope in the darkest storms.

It continued to ring. Then it stopped. Her voice rung through the phone. My breath caught in my lungs, my eyes shut in fear, and a tear rolled down my cheek again. Fuck, why did I have to still be in love with her?

"Hey, you've reached Demi. Sorry, I can't get to the phone right now. Leave a message and I'll get back as soon as I can. Beeeeeep!" Cute. The machine actually beeped after that.

I cleared my throat. So much regret. "H-Hey, Demi. It's me... um... Ansley. I... I overreacted like a bitch. I'm sorry." Choked out a sob. "Shit. Sorry." Took a long drag from my cigarette to revive myself. "I'm so sorry. I just... um... fuck. Sorry."

Slowly, I removed my phone from where I was holding it beside my ear. It timed out. And I called again. Voicemail.

Calmer this time. Actually breathing. "It's me again. I just wanted to say... I'm letting this go. I'm letting us go. We're both so... different, and maybe that was our problem. Secrets. You go out there and... be you. Do you. I'll be here. I'll be me. I'll do me." A sob worked its way up my throat. "Forget about me for a while. It'll be better. I promise." Placed my cigarette between my lips, inhaled, and exhaled a ring of smoke. "You deserve better, anyway. Let me go, Demi. Let us go."

It clicked off. I'd run out of time. Called back. Voicemail.

"Sorry. Keep running out of time. Listen... um... you're an incredible person, and it took me until today to realize how foolish I'd been. I'm not... proposing we get back together or anything but... uh... call or something when you get back from tour. I'll see you then, I guess. You be you. I'll be me. Alright... bye, Demi. I um... uh... I love you. Have fun. Goodnight." Hung up.

Finished my cigarette and stomped it dead. Lit another and ached into the gasoline air.

Demi's P.O.V.

~2 Hours Left~

The whole day involved rehearsals from seven until five, then preparing for the party that lasted from six until ten. I'd decided to leave my phone in my room during the party so that I could enjoy the company of a few family members and close friends. The only business person there was Phil. Everyone on my team - my tour manager, tour director, band, and crew - weren't invited since I would be seeing them every single day on tour. They all left by ten, except for Marissa and a few relatives that were staying in the guest rooms.

As I was cleaning up the living room and Elizabeth, the maid, was cleaning the kitchen, I asked Marissa to go get my phone. On her way down the stairs, the urgency in her voice made my heart speed up uncontrollably.

"Uh... Demi...?" She clutched my phone as she rounded the corner at the bottom of the stairs, starting for the living room. "You might want to come look at this."

I threw a folded blanket back on the couch and met her in the hallway. She turned my phone to me.

Ansley: Voicemails (3).

"Elizabeth? Can you finish the living room, too? We have a quick emergency..." I shouted in the direction of the kitchen.

"Sure thing, sweetheart!"