Torn

Chapter 26

Annie's POV

Demi is about to come on stage for Staples Center and I feel like Marissa.. About to pee my pants.

I knew that Staples Center would be cool and all, but not this cool!

There are famous people everywhere! I got my picture with Jennifer Lopez for goodness sakes. I'm starstruck.

As of now, I'm sitting in between Madison and Wilmer.

Wilmer.

I'm on the fence with Wilmer. Yesterday, we had so much fun and we actually talked about our lives and it felt normal.. I was actually starting to like him. But I'm scared! I'm so scared to accept him and actually like him.. I'm terrified that if Demi or him find out I actually like him, he will get all of Demi's attention and I'll be kicked to the side.

Tomorrow we start tour again, and this time I think it will be more fun because Bea is coming along, which means me and Mads get to travel with her and Demi.

And it means Wilmer isn't coming back on tour, but he's visiting every now and then.. And I might miss him. Which scares the hell out of me.

•••

Demi gave the performance of a lifetime and I'm pretty sure it gave everyone goosey's.

Demi and Marissa, fortunately, already said their goodbyes and getting stuff loaded on the buss with the team, which leaves me, Mads, Dianna, and Wilmer outside to say our goodbyes.

"I want you two to be good while I'm gone! Listen to Demi and Marissa and Caroline and Holly and Jill and don't have sex and don't do drugs!" Dianna said to me and Maddie. We both laughed and nodded, giving her hugs.

Dianna started talking to Madison about something a few feet away and Wilmer took the opportunity to come up to me. "Well kid, I'll see you later. Have fun and keep Demi in line for me."

Like I've been doing for the past nine years.

I gave a faint smile and nodded. I watched as he started to walk away and I fought the urge to, but I just-

"Wait!" I called after Wilmer.

He spun around on his heals, "Yeah?"

"I- I'll miss you.." I mummer.

His eyes- something changed. Tears? No. Happiness? I don't know. It's like he became a vulnerable puppy dog.

He pulled me into an unnecessary tight hug and then said, "I'll miss you too."

•••

Me, Demi, Marissa, Holly, Caroline, Jill, and Mads sat around the table just talking and I could slowly feel myself getting more and more tired so I laid my head down on Demi's shoulder as she played with my hair.

"Demi, honestly tell us, how have you been doing?" Carol asked.

"Honestly, my confidence has been faltering.. I'm just having a little rough patch. No biggy." Demi sighed.

My heart ached at the thought of Demi hurting and no one realized. Not even me. Maybe I was so caught up in everything else I didn't take the time to stop and just pay attention. It's something I'm going to start doing now.

Their conversation continued and I felt like I was about to fall asleep, until Demi said something that most definitely caught my attention.

"See, I read this thing somewhere," Demi nervously started, "and it said that alcoholics.. That have good self control, like me, can start having a drink every now and then and I thought maybe, sense I have good self control and all, that I could you know-"