But I'm Different (A Demi Lovato Fanfiction)

Chapter: Too Good to Be True

I didn't pack like a girl going on holiday. I packed like someone preparing for exile-quick, nervous, second-guessing every single item I stuffed into my small, beat-up suitcase. Clothes that still sort of fit, shoes with worn soles, a couple posters I'd managed to save from being ripped off the walls during "room checks," and my notebook. The one nobody knew about. The one that held my real thoughts-the ugly ones. The ones that never made it out of my mouth.

I stared at my half-zipped bag, heart pounding. I couldn't believe this was happening.

Me? Adopted?

No. No way.

But then again, it wasn't just anybody taking me home.

It was Demi Lovato.

Not some random woman in a stiff cardigan pretending to be nice for the sake of image points. Not a couple who'd leave five minutes after reading my file. This was her. The woman whose voice got me through so many breakdowns. Whose lyrics I memorized like they were secret survival spells.

And now she was going to be my mum?

That didn't feel real.

Not even a little bit.

I closed the suitcase with a soft snap and sat on the edge of my bed. Everything around me looked the same, smelled the same-old paint, worn-out mattress foam, the faint scent of crayons from the kids across the hall. But inside me, something was shifting. Not in a good way. It was like my brain was split in half. One side screaming, Maybe she really does want you, and the other whispering, Don't be stupid. You know how this ends.

I took a deep breath and picked up my bag.

The lounge was brighter than usual, maybe because the sun was finally shining through the dusty windows, or maybe because Demi Lovato was standing in the middle of it like she owned the light.

I froze. For a second, I just stood there holding my suitcase like it weighed ten tons. She looked even more unreal now-her dark waves fell in perfect curls around her face, her brown eyes locked onto mine like she actually saw me. And I mean really saw me. Not the "poster child for trauma" version. Just... me.

"You ready, kiddo?" she asked, voice warm, soft.

I wanted to say something cool. Maybe even smile.

Instead, I looked past her and saw Mckenzie sitting on the couch, hugging her pink teddy like it was the only thing keeping her stitched together. Her suitcase was next to her, almost as big as she was.

"Can you give me a sec?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, sure," Demi replied, stepping aside.

I walked over to Mckenzie slowly, like if I moved too fast she might disappear. "Hey," I said, kneeling in front of her. "I don't know if I need glasses or what, but is that your suitcase right there?"

Her face lit up like a firework. "Sabrina! I'm getting adopted! I'm so happy-I can't believe it!"

I smiled, though it felt like someone had shoved a hand into my chest and twisted. "I'm happy for you, Kiddo. Guess who else is getting adopted?"

Her jaw dropped. "YOU?!"

I nodded, biting back tears. "Yep. Me."

"Oh my GOD, Sabrina! I'm SO happy for you too!" she squealed, launching herself into my arms.

I hugged her tight, breathing in the smell of her bubblegum shampoo and crayons. "I'm going to miss you so much," I whispered.

"Me too. Promise you won't forget about me?"