Danger Signs // Demi Lovato // 4

41. A Flower On The Wall

Jay changed into some clothes she had left and I slipped into my own sweats before laying down on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was close to dinner, and Demi and Maia were going to order something for all of us.

After our talk, we fell into a near-silence, only saying a few words at a time.

Then, she jumped up, eyes wide. "Tomorrow," she said, like it was the answer to everything. "The art contest is tomorrow."

I quickly sat up as Jay's expression changed to one of sadness.

"I can't do it," she continued, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, something she didn't do unless she was feeling a lot of emotions at once.

"What? Why not?" I asked. She had been so excited about it, and now she didn't want to go?

"Paige... I can't." She looked like she was blinking back tears as her head dipped.

I scooted forward and took her hands in mine, her lifting her gaze to meet mine. Her eyes were glazed over and red from crying at the funeral. Mine probably were too, but I had been careful not to look at myself in the mirror. "You can. Paige wouldn't want you to not go. Besides, you gotta show those haters how wrong they are."

She just stared at me, blinking slowly.

"Paige would love that," I said, a small smile making its way to Jay's lips.

She nodded. "You're right. For Paige." She hugged me, my face getting buried in her musky and fruity hair. I breathed in the scent, my own smile forming as I held her tight. I never thought I could love someone as much as I loved Jay, and while it was an amazing feeling, I was also scared. The last thing I wanted was to put everything into this, and get hurt. But I had put so much trust into Jay and I didn't think she would do anything. I just didn't want anything bad to happen, which is why I was so insistent she stop buying Ritalin.

I wanted to hold her forever, but eventually she pulled away. "I have to get ready."

I let out a dry chuckle. "Calm down. It's tomorrow."

She rolled her eyes. "I know, but I need to find something to wear, plan my makeup, do my nails." She stopped, looking at the ends of her hair. "I need to get this taken care of. I haven't had a haircut in months. Can you ask Abby?"

I nodded, trying not to laugh because I realized how serious she was. My phone rang, Demi letting me know the food was here. "Come on. Let's go eat, and we'll figure everything out."

~//~//~//~//~//~//~

The next day, Abby gave Jay a trim since she didn't want to lose more than a few inches. I had painted her nails black and she did mine red, to match our outfits.

Jay's was reminiscent of a rocker, with a black top, black leather vest, black pants, and black wedges.

I wore a dress, black on top with a red, floral skirt and a thin belt, with a leather jacket and some bracelets. I decided not to wear heels, because I figured I'd be standing a lot, and instead wore black ballet flats with a small red bow.