But I'm Different (A Demi Lovato Fanfiction)

Chapter: The Edge of Everything

The morning air was cold and sharp, slicing through the silence as I stepped out the door. I pulled my jacket tighter around me, but it wasn't the chill outside that made me shiver-it was the storm inside my chest. Every breath I took felt like pulling against a weight, and every step toward school felt heavier than the last.

Today was the day I had decided-no, promised myself-that I'd finally say it. That I'd finally tell Mia.

The thought alone twisted in my stomach like a tight coil, squeezing the breath out of me whenever I let my mind wander too far. What if I'm wrong? What if she laughs? What if she's scared? What if this ruins everything?

I hated the uncertainty, but I hated hiding my feelings even more.

I tried to rehearse what I'd say as I walked, but the words tangled and slipped away like smoke through my fingers. Just say it simple. Just say it true.

When I got to the bus stop, Mia was already there. She smiled that easy, warm smile she always wore-a smile that made me ache because I wanted so badly to be the reason behind it.

"Morning," she said, sliding the backpack higher on her shoulder.

I nodded, my throat dry, words stuck behind a wall I couldn't scale.

The bus pulled up with a screech, and as we climbed aboard, the usual noise swallowed us. I found a seat near the back, and Mia slid in beside me, her presence making my heart race like it was trying to escape my chest.

The bus ride was mercifully short, but every bump, every pause, made me lose the words again. I kept stealing glances at her, watching how her hair caught the light, how her eyes flicked over her phone screen with that focused look she got when she was concentrating on something important.

I wanted to reach out, touch her hand, say I like you-but my hands were frozen in my lap.

The bell rang, echoing down the hallways of the school like a starting gun, and we stepped into the chaos of the crowded halls together. The noise pressed in on me, loud and overwhelming, but Mia's steady presence was like an anchor in the storm.

She nudged me with her elbow as we walked side by side, and my heart jumped.

"Hey," she said softly. "You're... different today. Is everything okay?"

I bit my lip, swallowed hard, and finally-finally-found the courage to say it.

"I... I need to tell you something," I said, voice trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Mia stopped and turned to face me, her eyes wide and curious.

"Okay," she said. "I'm here. You can tell me anything."

I closed my eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and let the words spill out like water breaking through a dam.

"I think I like you. Like, more than a friend."

The silence after felt thick, heavy, like the world was holding its breath.

Mia's eyes flicked down, then back up, and she bit her lip, her cheeks coloring faintly.

"I didn't expect that," she said softly. "But... I'm really glad you told me."

Relief crashed over me, warm and overwhelming, but just as fast came the fear-what did this mean now?

"Does it change things?" I asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Mia hesitated, then shook her head slowly.

"I don't know yet," she admitted. "I need time to figure out how I feel."

My chest tightened with a mix of hope and dread.

"Okay," I said. "I can wait."

She smiled, and I swear, it felt like the sun broke through the clouds for a moment.

"I don't want to lose what we have," she said quietly. "You mean a lot to me."

"I feel the same," I said, squeezing her hand gently before she pulled away to head to class.

I watched her go, heart pounding, breath shallow-caught between fear and hope, hanging on every uncertain second.

The rest of the day blurred into a strange mix of normal school routines and a bubbling undercurrent of tension. Every time my phone buzzed, I flinched, wondering if it was Mia texting, or worse, if she was ignoring me.

In class, I stared out the window more than I listened to the teacher. My mind replayed the moment over and over, twisting every detail. Her eyes, her hesitation, the small smile that flickered at the end.

I didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but for the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe... just maybe... things could change.

When the final bell rang, I packed up slowly, reluctant to leave the safety of the classroom and step back into the uncertain world.

Mia caught up with me in the hallway, a soft smile on her face.

"Want to grab a coffee or something? Talk?"

My heart leapt.

"Yes," I breathed.

We walked to a nearby café, the city noise fading into the background as we slipped into a quiet corner booth.

The silence between us wasn't awkward. It was charged-like the calm before a storm.

"I'm glad you told me," Mia said again, stirring her drink nervously.

I nodded, cheeks burning.

"Do you think... this could work? Us?"

Mia shrugged, eyes flicking down to the table.

"I want to find out," she said softly. "But I'm scared, Sabrina. I don't want to hurt you. Or lose you."

The weight of her words sank into me, but it didn't break me.

"I don't want to lose you either," I whispered.

We talked for hours-about fears, hopes, and everything in between. I told her about my anxiety, about the shadows that chased me, and she listened. Really listened.

By the time we left the café, the sky was painted with pink and gold, and though the future was still uncertain, I felt a little lighter.

Maybe this was just the beginning.