You're My Exception

Chapter 9

"Hey Demi," Joe said as she opened the door. "You left your iPod at my house." He held out his hand with the iPod in it.

"Oh, thanks," she smiled.

"No problem, and guess who scored a date for tomorrow night?"

"Hmm....a Joe Jonas and a Lily Collins?"

"How did you know?" he asked.

"Lily called me about a half hour ago." She confessed.

He smiled. "Cool."

"Baby, who's at the..." Sterling appeared behind Demi, when he caught sight of Joe, he straightened up. "Hello, Joe."

"Sterling," he said in a civil tone. Joe noticed Sterling's arm automatically slipped around Demi's waist.

"He just wanted to drop off my iPod, I left it at his house." She said.

"Just like you used to," Joe chuckled, trying to ignore the jealousy that was creeping into his veins.

She giggled. "Yeah, just like I used, too."

Seeing Sterling's glare made Joe hide a smirk. "I should get going, see you Demi. Bye, Sterling."

"Bye freak," Demi teased.

"Bye." Sterling said in a monotone voice.

He smiled and walked away and Demi closed the door. "What was that?" she slid out of his grip.

"What was what?" he asked innocently.

"Trying to be protective of me," she crossed her arms.

"Demi, I don't think it's a good idea to be friends with Joe." He told her.

"Why not, Sterling?"

"It's so obvious! He just wants to get with you! He was flirting with you."

"Just stop, Sterling. There's nothing going on between us. If you actually cared, he's going on a date tomorrow with my friend. Just because I used to date him doesn't mean I will now."

"I don't want him to hurt you," he sighed.

"Baby, you have to get over that. It's the past, and I'm all yours."

Sterling slightly smiled. "I know, Dems, I'm sorry." He kissed her forehead.

Joe sat in his room that night, staring into space. There was one thing on his mind; well, one girl. It wasn't Lily. It was Demi. He couldn't get her out of his mind, no matter how hard he tried. Why was he always thinking about someone he couldn't have? Because he loves her; that's why. Then why was he going on a date with Lily tomorrow? He might as well give Lily a chance. She was sweet girl, and maybe he needed her. He wouldn't know until he gave it a shot.

Joe and Lily sat at a restaurant the next evening. Their dinner had just come to an end. They both had a great time, and Lily was laughing at something Joe said. He stood and extended his hand to her. She gladly took it, but then pulled away. "What about paparazzi?"

"Right," he frowned. "We can never live a normal life around them, can we?"

"That's the price of being famous," Lily sighed. "Well, we should get going."

He nodded and gave her a smile, walking towards the door with her. Paparazzi was there, taking pictures, but the two stayed a certain distance apart and didn't speak until they got in the car.

"Joe," Lily said as they got to her house.

"Yeah?" he asked, looking at her.

"I had a great time," she smiled.

"So did I," he told her, and he meant it. Maybe she was what he needed right now.

"I'll see you on set?" she asked.

"Of course, Lil," he nudged her.

"Night, Joey," she giggled and kissed him on the cheek before getting out of his car. Joe smiled. This was the first smile that wasn't because of careless flirting or short flings. This smile was for a girl who was sweet and funny.

"The date went great!" Lily exclaimed a few minutes later as she was on the phone with Demi.

"That's awesome, I'm happy for you!" Demi told her new friend. There was one problem, though. She wasn't happy. She was a little upset. No, what? She couldn't be. She didn't love Joe anymore, she loves Sterling...right? Demi shook her head, dismissing those thoughts.

"Oh, he just texted me! I'll text you, okay?"

"Sure, Lily," Demi forced a cheery tone and hung up. "Joseph, why are you doing this to me?" But was it really Joe's fault? Was it hers? Or was it both? "Why am I like this?" she groaned in frustration, falling onto her bed, face down.