But I'm Different (A Demi Lovato Fanfiction)

Chapter: No One Picks the Broken

"Get your ass out of bed and put on something decent," Marie called from the hallway, her voice sharp like usual. "We've got visitors today."

Great. Another dog-and-pony show.

I rolled onto my side and pulled the blanket over my head. What was the point? So I could get all dressed up, plaster on a fake smile, and watch someone else get chosen-again?

Hard pass.

"Sabrina, don't make me come back in there."

I stayed silent, hoping maybe if I ignored her, the whole day would just disappear. But that's not how life works, especially not mine.

Eventually, I heard her footsteps outside the room and then the creak of my door opening. She didn't yell this time-she just sighed and sat at the edge of my bed. Her hand rubbed over my leg, more out of habit than care.

"I know it's hard," she said quietly. "But you never know. Today might be different."

I stared up at the ceiling. The cracks in it were starting to look like constellations. I knew every one of them.

"Different how?" I asked, voice flat. "Is someone coming in today who's specifically looking to adopt broken freaks with trauma and a condition that makes them feel every slap, punch, and tear that isn't even theirs?"

Marie flinched. She always did when I brought up the mirror-touch thing. No one really knew what to do with it. Hell, I didn't either.

"You're not broken," she said, though it sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than me. "And you're not a freak. Just... try, okay? That's all I'm asking."

"Fine," I muttered. "But I'm not doing a dress. Not today."

"Whatever makes you feel comfortable," she said, standing up and walking away.

I got out of bed and pulled on a baby blue jumper, ripped black jeans, and my white Converse. It was clean enough. I glanced at myself in the mirror. My dark eyes looked dull, lifeless. There were shadows under them from another night of restless sleep and crying too quietly to be heard.

Whatever. I wasn't here to win a pageant.

Downstairs was already buzzing. The smell of air freshener and powdered eggs made my stomach twist. Fake niceness. Fake hope. I slid into a seat at the dining table.

Mckenzie popped into the room a few seconds later, skipping like she hadn't learned yet that life wasn't fair. She was in blue overalls and a pink jumper, her brown curls tied into pigtails with sparkly butterfly clips.

"You look adorable today," I said, leaning in to kiss her forehead.

"Thanks!" she beamed. "I want to look pretty for the people. That way I get adopted!"

"Fingers crossed, Kiddo," I said, though the words tasted bitter in my mouth.

I should've felt happy for her. And I did... kinda. But deep down, a little selfish voice whispered: What if this is the day she leaves me too?

The front doors opened and in came the crowd. Wealthy, polished. The kind of people who'd never understand what it feels like to be passed around like secondhand furniture.

They drifted toward the younger girls first. They always do. I leaned my head on my hand, staring blankly as they smiled and knelt down to eye level with the cute ones. I could already feel the pressure build in my chest-some kid nearby was nervous, probably terrified. That fear crawled into me, made my breathing hitch.

I shook it off as best I could. No one ever notices anyway.

"Attention, all girls aged ten to sixteen-please line up in the hallway," Marie called out.

I stood up and walked out, my feet dragging a little. We'd practiced this routine a million times. I always went to the back. I liked it there-less eyes on me.

But today was different.

Because when I looked up, standing at the front of the room was someone I'd only ever seen in posters and music videos.

Demi Lovato.

And not just Demi Lovato-but real, in the flesh, smiling at us. I couldn't breathe. Her music had been the only thing getting me through some nights. The lyrics about pain, addiction, healing... it felt like she'd written them just for me.

And now she was here. In this hellhole. Looking right at us.

I immediately dropped my gaze. Embarrassment flushed through me like lava. She can't see me like this. I was a mess. Hair unbrushed, sleeves hiding scars, heart stitched together with thread so thin it could tear at any moment.

"Hi," came her voice-soft, warm, like a lullaby you never got sung as a kid.

I looked up shyly. "H-hi?"

"What's your name, sweetheart?"

"Sabrina... Montez. But you can call me Sab, if you want." I looked down again, voice small. "I, uh, I love your music. You're pretty good."

She smiled-God, that smile. It was like the sun had entered the room.

"Thank you. You listen to my music?"

"Yeah. When I can. Not always allowed." I frowned, picking at my sleeve.

"What's wrong?" she asked gently. "You seem upset."

I shrugged. "Nothing."

"You sure?" she tilted her head.

"Why are you talking to me?" I blurted, not meaning to sound rude. "Shouldn't you be... I don't know... looking at someone better? Someone who's not, you know, me?"

She paused. Then smiled even wider. "You know what? You're right. I am here to adopt someone."

"Probably someone better and beautiful," I muttered under my breath, thinking she wouldn't hear.

But she did.

"She is beautiful," Demi said, stepping closer. "And guess what?"

"What?" I asked, barely breathing.

"I'm looking at her right now."

My eyes widened. The words didn't register at first.

"Wait... what?" I croaked.

"I'm adopting you, Sabrina."

My heart exploded in my chest. I stared at her, stunned. "But... you haven't even talked to the others..."

"I don't need to," she said. "You were the first person I saw, and I felt something. A connection. I don't care how different you think you are. I see you. And I'm not walking away."

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

She reached up, gently cupping my chin and lifting my face toward hers. "Being different doesn't make you unlovable. It makes you you. And I want you in my life."

Tears welled in my eyes. No one had ever said that to me before.

"You actually mean that?" I whispered.

"With all my heart."

I cracked a smile-a real one. It hurt my face because I wasn't used to it.

"Well," she said, grinning, "how about you go pack your things while I sign the paperwork?"

I nodded, unable to speak. My throat was too full of emotion.

And for the first time in what felt like forever...
I believed maybe I wasn't broken after all.