I Hate You, Don't Leave Me (D.L)

The Last Goodbye

Four Years Later – 1992

Lindsey laughed along with the chat show host, trying to ignore the sense of déjà vu creeping up his back. “Well, your new record is just fantastic, Lindsey. Just great. And it’s so nice to see you back in the charts with some new material.” Lindsey smiled, not caring if the few wrinkles he had accumulated over the last four years showed; he kinda liked his new, mature look. “Well, that’s all we’ve got time for. But before we go, we’ve got another comeback star whose here to close the show with a performance of her new single. Ladies and gentlemen… Miss Demi Lovato!” The déjà vu slapped Lindsey across the face. He watched in amazement as Demi appeared before his eyes, still youthful and still so beautiful. She’d cut her hair to shoulder length and dyed it blonde. She looked fuller in figure, after going into rehab herself in 1989 for an eating disorder. But what Lindsey noticed most about her, was that the twinkle had returned to her beautiful brown eyes.

“I admit I’m in and out of my head

Don’t listen to a single word I’ve said

Just hear me out before you run away

‘Cause I can’t take this pain

No, I can’t take this pain

I hate you, don’t leave me

I hate you, please love me.”

Lindsey smiled with pride as she finished the song, her voice still as strong as ever. Once she finished, he stood up and gave her a standing ovation. “It was nice seeing you, Lindsey. I hope it’s okay that we had Demi on the show too?” The host said, shaking Lindsey’s hand as the cameras panned over the studio audience. “It’s fine.” Lindsey replied with a smile. He rushed off the set quickly, in the direction of Demi’s dressing room. Before he could even knock, the door opened. Demi looked up at him, smiling. “Hey Linds.” She greeted him, her familiar smile giving him butterflies. “Hey Dem.” He replied.

They chatted for almost half an hour, before they were told it was time to leave. “So, how’s life in general? I heard you got married?” Lindsey asked. Demi looked down at her wedding ring, smiling. “Yea. I went to college with him. You’d like him; he likes punk music too.” They laughed as they walked out of the building together. “And you also had a baby?” Lindsey asked. “Yea, a little boy.” “How old is he now?” “One, almost two.” Lindsey smiled weakly, hating himself for hating the happiness in her eyes. “What’s he called?” Demi smiled and took Lindsey’s hand. “He’s called Lindsey, actually.” Lindsey grinned, no longer caring if he began to cry or not. “I still really hope you find what it is you’re looking for, Lindsey. I want you to be happy.” She kissed him gently on the lips before climbing into her car. “Oh and Linds?” She said through the open window. “Yea?” “I hated you. But I still never want you to leave me.” Lindsey smiled, understanding that the song had been for him; that all her songs were for him. “I never will.” He promised. "Never."

The End