Issues

III.I

Don't be mad, it's just a brand new kind of free
That ain't bad, I found a brand new kind of me

Setting: Taco Bell, Beverly Hills, California

A young-looking man with a scruffy beard and a grey beanie held the door open of the local Taco Bell for Demi, causing her to pick up her pace so that she didn't keep him waiting. Demi breathed out a "thank you" as she followed behind him into the nearly abandoned restaurant and scanned the menu for something she might want. She usually would've had her hood on or would've been wearing a hat but considering that it was nearing two in the morning and Taco Bell's at this time were usually something out of a dystopian universe, filled with teenagers with the munchies and other people of that sort, she wasn't too worried about being recognized.

"Next!"

Demi stepped up to the register and with one last scan of the menu, she ordered two soft tacos with mild sauce, a side of cinnamon twists, and a small baja blast freeze. The man at the register lazily took her crumpled bills and handed her the change and receipt before calling the next customer in line. Demi slid to the side and patiently waited for them to prepare her food as she tucked her hands into her pockets. She could've played on her phone but she hadn't turned it back on since she left Malibu and she wasn't sure she was ready to, so she continued to wait for her food in silence. Finally, they called out her number so Demi grabbed her tray, found a booth towards the back, and happily sat down to eat her tacos.

This was the most normal thing that she had experienced in roughly four and a half months but of course that didn't last long because she immediately noticed the flash of a camera, and when she looked up she saw paparazzi posted outside of the window, snapping pictures of her eating a soft taco inside of a Taco Bell at two in the morning. But she didn't let it bother her. She continued to happily eat her food until the only thing left on her tray were wrappers and her half drunken slushy. She discarded her trash and everything before leaving the restaurant, instantly being bombarded by paparazzi with a million question to ask. Like damn, did they ever sleep?

"Demi, how was your treatment? Demi, does it feel good to be home? Have you talked to Trey? Are you going back to living with Kris Jenner? Looking good, Demi!"

She flashed them a halfhearted smile before climbing into the backseat of the Escalade and closing the door. Max turned to her from the driver's seat and gave her a reassuring smile.

"You ready to go home now, Dems?"

"Yes, I'm ready," Demi stated, because she was as ready as she would ever be to go back home after being away from nearly five months.

I know it's short but more to come ☺️ tell me what you think!