Crash and Burn

28. Three Months Gone

Three months later

Here we are again, outside the rehab center but this time, Demi was getting out. I wrung my hands in front of me nervously and I could feel the sweat beading all over even though it was already November. "You okay?" I looked over and saw Dallas standing there with a small smile. I tried to shrug indifferently, but I couldn't hold it in. "Do you think she's mad at me?" Her neutral expression didn't last and her face crumbled into one that held a lot of sympathy. "Look, we told her that you had to deal with family stuff and that's why you couldn't visit but every time we visited, her face falls when she realized that you weren't coming. She'd ask about you and she'll try to look like it wasn't bothering her but it was really obvious that she wanted to see you. I can't promise that she isn't but don't worry, I haven't seen her so into someone and I'm sure it'll be okay. Just give her time, okay?" I nodded and took a deep breath, trying to believe what Dallas told me. I don't think she believed it herself. The one thing to never do, is to get on Demi's bad side. I didn't visit her the entire time that she was in rehab after I promised that I would so I'd definitely put myself on her bad side.

It felt like hours had passed, even though it was probably only minutes, when they finally walked out. Dianna held Demi's hand, wide smiles on both their faces. My breath hitched when I saw her. She looked breathtaking. The color was back on her face and her eyes held that spark again. There was almost a skip in her step and my heart swelled with pride. She did it. Demi's eyes scanned the few of us that were there to welcome her back, and I could see a dark look pass her when her eyes skimmed over me. Mel and I hung back, not wanting to intrude on the family moment that they were having when they all rushed to bring Demi into a hug.

When she stepped over to us, she turned her back to me and pulled Mel into a hug. I could see the guilt in Mel's eyes as she looked at me over Demi's shoulders and shook my head. I knew that Mel blamed herself, but it wasn't her fault. When they pulled away, I took a small step forward and gushed. "You look amazing, Dems." She looked at me with a cold expression and folded her arms. "That's all you have to say to me? I've been in there for three months, fighting to get better everyday and all I wanted to do was to see you. I wanted to tell you how I was getting better and how I was looking forward to a life with you when I got out but you never fucking came. Not even on my birthday so fuck you, Alex." She shoved me and I stumbled back a few steps, sucking in my lips to hold back the tears.

"Everyone told me that you had family problems and I believed them but no one would tell me what was going on. I held on though, I hoped that I'd see you in the next visitation but you didn't even come to the last one. That's when I gave up and I don't want to hear any sorry story that you're going to come up with. You're not going to ruin today for me." She turned away and I finally let the tears flow out. Through the harsh blinks, I could see both Dianna and Mel try to explain to Demi, but I held out my hand to stop them. She was right, she deserved today to celebrate and I wasn't going to ruin it for her. "Let's go to dinner to celebrate. Mel, you're coming right?" Mel looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Uh..." Her gaze moved back and forth between Demi and I. I just nodded and forced a smile on my face. "It's okay. You really should go." She wanted to protest but I just shook my head and sent her a pleading look.

They all went to pile into the two cars that we all came together in, except for Dianna and Mel. "I really shouldn't go, Al." I just shook my head, unable to form words because of the sobs that I was holding back. "Only one of us should get on her bad side. I'll be fine, Mel. Go have fun." Mel pulled me into a tight hug and I took a deep breath to stem the tears. "Just do me a favor and don't tell her anything. She's right, you know? She's been fighting for three months and she deserves a few days. I'll tell her when it's time." Dianna pulled me into a hug and her face held a small smile when we pulled away. "You've had a tough few months and you really don't deserve this. I'm sorry she's being like this." I just shrugged and shot her a quick smile. As long as her family knew and didn't hate me, I could get Demi back eventually with them on my side. "I could've written a letter or asked you guys to tell her but I didn't want her to worry and slow down her recovery process. That was my choice and now I have to deal with it." Mel squeezed my hand and shot me an apologetic look. "It wasn't your fault, bug."