But I'm Different (A Demi Lovato Fanfiction)

Chapter: Quiet Adjustments

It was Wednesday, which meant I'd officially survived three days at Hartwell. I still wasn't used to waking up so early or being around so many people who somehow smelled like expensive shampoo and confidence, but I was managing. Kind of.

There were some good parts though-like lunch with the girls. I was sat with Lizzy, Elise, Mia, and the rest of them again, feeling a little more like I belonged, even if I still caught the occasional whisper or stare from across the cafeteria.

"So, Sab, tell me about yourself other than you being Demi Lovato's daughter?" Lizzy asked, leaning on her elbow with a grin.

I gave a nervous little laugh. "Well erm... I like playing sports. I love to draw... and act, too."

They just blinked at me. That awkward silence where you feel like you should've said more but your mind already emptied itself like it hit a wall.

"That's... cool!" Elise said, bless her heart, trying to fill the silence.

I shrugged and took another bite of my sandwich, trying not to care. The truth was, I didn't have some exciting list of hobbies or cool stories. I just liked the stuff I could lose myself in. Drawing was quiet. Safe. Acting let me be someone else for a while. And sports... that helped with the other stuff.

I rubbed at my arm unconsciously-something I always did when I could feel the static building up again in my body. The classroom lights, the food smells, someone brushing too close in the hallway... it all built up too fast sometimes. Mirror-touch stuff wasn't just about feeling what others felt-it was like walking around as a sponge that absorbed every vibe, every shift in energy. I was still learning how to wring it all out without breaking.

While the girls kept chatting, I noticed Mia sitting a little quiet today. She was staring into space, her thumb brushing across her knuckle in a nervous loop. I let myself look at her properly for a second. She had that calm look about her again-blue eyes that made you feel like they could read right through you. Then she looked over and caught me staring.

Crap.

I looked down fast, cheeks going all hot like they always do when I get caught being weird. I could feel my pulse in my ears. She was probably thinking I was a total creep. But then I looked up, just once, and saw her biting her lip like she was trying not to laugh. Her cheeks had the faintest pink tint.

Okay. Maybe not a creep.

After lunch, classes dragged like they always did. Math was basically torture, and history wasn't much better. I kept zoning out, the buzz from the overhead lights pressing on my skull, and every time the teacher walked behind me, I flinched like I could feel her hand tapping someone else's shoulder across the room. Sometimes it got to the point where I just pressed my palm into my thigh hard enough to ground myself. I didn't want to ask for help, but...

Honestly? I was kind of struggling.

There were a few things the school had adjusted for me-Demi talked to them about my condition before I started. I had a seat near the back in every class so no one brushed past me too much. I was allowed noise-cancelling earbuds for lunch or free periods. My teachers were told not to randomly call on me in class, which helped a lot. It wasn't perfect, but it was something.

When the final bell rang, I was done. Like, drained from the inside out. I packed my stuff up robotically, and just as I was leaving the gates, I saw Mia walking toward me.

"Hey..." I said, voice a little too soft. I cleared my throat. "Hi."

"Hi..." she said back, her eyes darting down. "Erm... I was wondering if you wanted to... you know... go to the cinema? Just to hang out."

My brain short-circuited for a second. Did Mia Hepworth just ask me to hang out?

I think I blacked out for half a second before forcing out, "Yeah... sure. How about friday evening after school?"

She smiled-like, properly smiled. "Yeah. That'd be great."

"Alright, I'll see you there."

She nodded and waved, then walked off like it was no big deal. Meanwhile, I was grinning like I'd won the lottery. I had plans. With Mia. Actual plans.

I walked home with a spring in my step even though my limbs felt like jelly from exhaustion. When I got inside, the house was quiet. I called out for Demi but got nothing.

Then I spotted the note on the fridge:

Sab,
I've had to go and do some important work-something came up at the studio. I won't be back till late. There's food, make yourself dinner. Lock the door.
Love you,
Demi xx

I sighed and crumpled the note, tossing it in the bin. I wasn't mad. I just hated when it was quiet like this. My thoughts got loud.

I went upstairs and messed around on the computer for a bit-Twitter, YouTube, whatever. Nothing too exciting. Eventually I got tired, mentally and physically. It was the kind of tired that hits your bones. I didn't even bother changing clothes. I just crawled into bed and let the dark take me.

The next morning, I woke up to Demi tapping gently on my doorframe.

"Morning, sweet girl," she said quietly. "Can I come in?"

I nodded, voice still half-asleep. "Yeah."

She sat on the edge of my bed. I noticed she looked tired-like she hadn't slept much either.

"I was thinking," she said, brushing hair from my face, "I read about something that might help you... Occupational therapy."

I blinked at her. "Like... the hospital kind?"

"Not exactly," she smiled softly. "It's more about helping with sensory stuff. Teaching your brain how to cope with overload better, or how to manage the touch-sensitivity. I just thought... maybe it could be worth trying."

I sat up slowly, the thought settling in. I wasn't sure how I felt. I didn't want to feel broken. But I also didn't want to keep shutting down like this every day.

"Would it make school easier?" I asked.

"Could," she said, nodding. "Could help with focus, anxiety... even how your body reacts to everything. It's not about fixing you. It's about helping you feel more in control."

I looked at my hands. I rubbed my thumbs together the way I always do when I'm not sure what to say.

"Okay," I said finally. "We can try it."

Demi smiled like she'd been holding her breath the whole time. "Okay," she whispered, and pulled me into a hug that made my chest tighten-in a good way.

"Proud of you," she said into my hair. "You're doing so good."

I didn't believe that all the time, but right then... maybe I almost did.