Comeback Kids

Ch. 1: Music Video Crush

Another very old draft I'm throwing up here for fun with some slight editing. It's so funny seeing what I had been trying to write here. I believe this is just part of a two-parter.

...

Simon Cowell had not earnestly thought about Miss Demi Lovato, since their last run-in at some event he'd already forgotten the name of. With time, Demetria was aging gorgeously, but it wasn't unlike the music mogul to notice such. Prior to fatherhood and his pseudo-common-law-courtship, Simon was a womanizing fool. He'd spent the better part of his years boasting a life of simple relationships, surrounded by a gaggle of women—most of whom only remained in his favor because they enjoyed the spoils of his hard-earned luxe. It was comfortable, sensual and insular. It was odd to think about how time could change a man. Or, at least, how his son Eric could.

Simon sat in his home office—uniquely open, bright and with few distracting decorations—scrolling on his computer. He was reading through yet another article highlighting a chapter in the dramas of pop culture. He had only bothered with such a thing after hearing one of his acts was a main player—this time it was Fifth Harmony vs. Camilla Cabello. An ironic war, he liked to think. 

His reading (and exasperated sighing) was interrupted by his phone lighting up to a text message by a familiar name: "What's up, Simon? Got a minute to chat? I know it's been a while..."

The text message ended with a winking emoji that made Simon smirk.

"Well... Well... Well... If it isn't my favorite brat. Pleasure. -S"

"Aw, c'mon, I'm not a brat still am I?"

"Prove me wrong," Simon replied in a tease. "I haven't seen you in some time. Business has been good, I know. -S" 

It was hard to miss the news of Demi's latest album and tour. 

"Yh, sorry about that. It's been one hell of a few years."

Simon looked to the clock and noted the time: 11 p.m. "What made you think of your old pal Simon at this hour? -S"

"Just randomly thought about X Factor and everyone." Before Simon could reply, another text came through. "I suppose I miss you some days, Simon."

Simon Cowell caught himself smiling. The feeling was certainly mutual. "Those were good seasons, with you on them... Was that all? To tell me you missed me? -S"

"Yup. Just that."

"Thank you for thinking of me, Demetria. -S"

...

Demi was sitting in front of her television, another episode of Snapped coming to a close. Had this been a few years prior, it'd be more fitting to find inspiration to message Simon while watching a show about women murdering men. This time it was just coincidence. Demi hadn't spent too much time sucked into the last episode's narrative. Something about an ex-husband—that's all she could remember. Not exactly helpful with a true crime show like that. Demi was considering how far she had come. From Disney, from rehab, from X Factor... That's where she left off before turning to Simon's number. She almost couldn't stop herself.

Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato had a tumultuous relationship. That was as obvious as calling water "wet". 

Many described it as "up and down", which hardly felt descriptive enough. She could still remember one interviewer asking if she and Simon were a "thing"—a question that, to this day, she couldn't believe someone was bold enough to ask. It rivaled some of her wildest interview experiences. Simon was just Simon. Nothing more to say. The two of them had a loving, intimate friendship, and nothing the next minute. It all fizzled in a flash. But when they were close, they felt very close.