My Beautiful Boy~Demi Lovato Adopt

Part 5

Ace turned down an ally. Breathing heavily he hid between two dumpsters. 'I'm gonna smell.' He thought to himself.

He watched as Max wondered down the ally.

"Ace. I know your in this ally." His voice wasn't harsh. Which surprised the teen. He watched as Max stood just a few feet away from him.

"Bud. I know it's hard to come into a group of people that care about you. And want you to be better then you are, but we can work with it. Compromise even. But that's only if your willing to help yourself."

'Willing to help yourself.' The words echoed in his brain like they were in a cave and Max had screamed down it.

"And if I'm not?" Ace said just loud enough for him to hear and find him.

Max wondered over to the dumpsters and looked in between them, meeting eyes with the green eyed teen. "You will. At some point." He held out his hand, "Now come on, let's go." Max's voice was gentle and gave Ace the courage to grab it and wiggle out of the crack. Ace didn't look up.

Max held out his hand, one cigarette and his lighter, Ace looked at it and grabbed it, he stared at the long chemical filled stick. Then dropped it. Stepping on it before looking up at Max, who was smiling at him.

There was a soft but firm pat on his back, before the two of them started walking, Ace slipping the lighter into his pocket.
~•~•~•~•~•
When they stepped into the hotel room, all of their bags were sitting in the living room but Aces. And the girls were missing.

His face went white. "Did I fuck up?" Max just shook his head no and sat down at the table, finally eating his food.

Ace lowered his head and made his way to the room he was staying in, only to find Demi and Marissa going through his bag, "Hey!" He ran over and shoved them away, "What's the big idea?!"

"I just wanted to make sure you didn't have anything else in here." Demi said calmly.

Marissa nodded and stood leaving the room, but Demi stayed. She closed his bag and zipped it. All was neat and tidy unlike how Ace had packed it.

"Adrian sit." He gave her a confused look, "The little girl who you are friends with told me you want to change your name to it." He nodded a little and sat.

"Boy. He's a boy." Demi nodded and played with her hands before looking up at Ace.

"I know addiction is hard. And I know how hard it is to stop doing some things, but in the end it's worth it. It really is. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't worth it." She paused, "My old manager, when I was still with Disney, found out I was using coke. He made me break my phone, and go into rehab for the first time, in order for me to keep doing what I loved. And I did. I was crying and bawling and all that Jazz. All of my dealers were in there. All my old druggie friends. People who I thought were my family." Tears were forming in her eyes, "but, I stopped because I wanted to. I wanted to get better to be the best me. And I want that for you. But if it takes a little force, believe me. Im willing to use it. Because I know in the long run it will help you. Okay?"

Ace simply nodded and avoided eye contact. They stayed sitting in silence for a few minutes before Demi got up, "Come on bub, we have a plane to catch." He nodded and stood grabbing his bag before following her out of the room and to they could see Marissa and Max loading a small van. Ace jogged down the steps and silently got into the backseat. The conversation running again and again in his head.

Before everyone got in, he had his headphones in and scrolled through his phone.
~•~•~•~•
After a long sleepy car ride, they arrived at the airport. Ace slipped out of the car followed by Demi and Marissa. Max had drove so he was the last one out after sending a text to security.