"You need to stop..." ♥ 39

The mood was so tense and I hated not being able to read Sam's thoughts.

Dana hadn't spoken for the whole ride. She just sat quietly in the back with her phone in her hand and her eyes fixated on the screen.
I could tell Sam's brain was overworking itself and I put my hand over his. He seemed a bit confused, but almost instantly reflected the smile on my face and leaned over to kiss me on my cheek.
We were finally in our house and Dana was standing a bit unsure, keeping a distance from me and Sam. Sam flung open the door and stomped into the house. I stepped inside, and was about to lock door, when I noticed Dana wasn't inside. I turned around and saw her standing on the driveway.
"Dana?" I closed the door behind me and went up to her. She was facing the other way so I couldn't see her face. I put my hand on her shoulder and gently turned her to face me. She didn't make any resistance, and I could see she was crying. The tears were streaming down her cheeks, and had left mascara stripes. Without saying a single word, I drew her into a hug, and let her cry on my shoulder, while stroking her hair. This girl was Wilmer's daughter. Wilmer's daughter. I held her in my arms, and I couldn't help thinking that she was the only thing I had left of him. "Demi," she said and took one step back. I waited for her to continue, but we were interrupted by Sam's voice. "What are you doing out there?" I squeezed her hand, but this time she quickly pulled it back to her side and ran inside without giving me a single look, or continuing what she had started.
With a confused mind, I went after her, and reached Sam, who was waiting for us by the door.
"What's wrong?" He grabbed my hand, and lowered his voice, so that Dana couldn't hear him. I sighed and shrugged. I was getting tired of him giving Dana the cold shoulder. "Ask her," I said and walked past him into the kitchen. I saw Dana standing in the livingroom, staring out of a window. When I was having bad days, that's what I used to do too. It felt so relaxing, knowing there was a world out there that I hadn't yet explored, and that I hadn't had a bad day on. A world where there might be a place, I'd be happy someday. I wondered, what Dana was thinking of.
"Dana, are you hungry?"
She quickly looked up, as if she someone had splashed cold water on her, during her sleep. But she nodded indifferently, even though I could see the longing in her eyes. I just didn't know what she was longing for. For food? For a stable home? For someone to care?
I went into the kitchen and opened the fridge. I was scanning it, when her smooth voice filled the room. "I can just have some cereal, if you have any." I closed the refridgerator door and turned to face her. "Please," She added and I could tell she was inwardly rolling her eyes. I felt like rolling my eyes too, at her sudden change of attitude. It was as if our moment outside never happened. But I just gave her a cheerful smile, and brought down a box of cereal, from the lower shelf. I poured it in a bowl, and gave her a tall glass of milk with it. Then I awkwardly passed it to her. I saw a little spark ignite in her eyes, at the sight of food, and I wondered how long it had been since she had eaten last. But her blue eyes, turned plain again, as she looked at the food and then at me. "Is this how you eat your cereal? With a glass of milk?" Her tone was mocking and made me squirm. But I put my chin up. I was not going to let a seventeen year old make me feel bad about a bowl of freaking cereal! "Yes," I nodded and put on a what-that's-not-how-everybody-eats-cereal face. She snorted and mumbled, "weird". I left the kitchen and went to my room. Sam was sitting on our bed, going through Dana's bags. I felt an automatic reflection, as a woman, to stop him. "Hey!" I reached the paper he was holding, and yanked it out of his hand. He looked up at me, with a hint of annoyance in his eyes. "Did Dana give you permission to read this?" Sam rolled his eyes, but shook his head like a little boy that had been caught stealing from the cookie jar. "No, but babe, she is," he lowered his voice to make sure she couldn't hear us, "exchanging letters with someone, and I need to know what it's about." He stretched his arm out, to take the paper back, but I hid it behind my back, and he sighed, with a little smile on his lips. "You're so stubborn." Yes, he was right. I was stubborn.
"Why don't you just go ask her?" I asked him.
Sam shook his head. "I don't really feel like talking to her." I saw the hurt expression on his face and plumbed my self down next to him. I put my hand on his cheek, which caused him to turn to face and kiss me gently on my lips. I could feel him smile.
"Can I use the shower?"
Sam jumped from me and I inwardly cursed Dana. Had that girl ever heard of privacy? I took a breath and reminded myself, that she wasn't the usual seventeen year old. She was leaning against the door opening with her arms crossed over her chest. "Just like high school all over again," she mumbled, but we both heard it. "Can I use the shower?" She repeated and I noticed how she wasn't meeting my eyes, and she wasn't looking at Sam neither. I could imagine how hard this was for her. Having a brother that wasn't speaking to you, and moving in with his girlfriend when you had only known her for a couple of hours? I got up from the bed and got ready to leave the room so that she, atleast, could have some privacy, (maybe she could learn from it too!) and Sam followed. She walked past us and into the bathroom. "Do you need a towel, pyjamas, or anything like that?"
The seconds passed without her answering and I was just about to let out a very frustrated sigh when her blond head peaked out behind the door. She looked straight into my eyes and gave me a sincere smile. "Thank you, that'd be nice." And just in that moment, behind the wall she was putting up, and beneath all of that make up and attitude she used as a shield, I recognized the girl Sam had shown me in the picture. Something about her reminded me of my younger self. I smiled back at her and left the room to bring her the stuff. Sam was waiting for me in the hall. "You don't have to be her little puppet. You don't have to be this nice to her, when she's acting like a brat." I spun around, and for some reason the words he said hurt me too. This seventeen year old girl standing in my shower, could've been me. The words Sam was saying, and the names he was calling her could've been directed towards me if I never got the help I needed.
"Sam, I love you, and that's why you need to stop. Stop treating her as if she has done something terrible. She did what she thought was the only way for her to survive. She came to this town, with no money and no one to help her. She was lonely and she wasn't secure. She needed fast money, and prostitution's probably the way she learned about first. I'm sure she already feels ashamed and disgusted with herself, so she certainly doesn't need you  making her feel like shit." I took a deep breath and the expression on Sam's face was priceless. He looked as if I had slapped him. Really hard too. I chose a pink towel, with roses embroidered along the sides. "Okay?" Sam nodded and I turned my heel and went back into my room.

I had lost Wilmer, and I felt as if it was my job to make his daughter feel loved, since her dad was no longer around to love her.

"Dana is here." ♥ 38

"Are you ready?" Sam knocked impatiently at the bathroom door.

"Calm down, Sam! Give me five minutes, I still haven't washed my hair."

I could imagine him rolling his eyes and groaning, and I smiled a bit to myself. He was such a child.

Suddenly I felt a cold breeze touch my naked and wet shoulder. I wrapped my arms around myself and turned around. The door was wide open. A bit alarmed, I called out Sam's name. 

"Sam?"

He walked into the bathroom wearing his black t-shirt, and his black jeans.

"Oh my gosh, what are you doing? Get out!"

I grabbed the shower curtains and tried to cover my body with it, while containing myself from bursting out in laughter.

"Since I know it will take you another 30 minutes, to wash your hair..."

He pulled his t-shirt over his head and revealed his naked chest, and rock hard abs. 

"... I figured we'd save some time, by taking a shower together."

I shook my head, while laughing.

"You're crazy. Sam, stop. Don't!"

He started undressing infront of me, and I covered my eyes, but sneaking a peak through the space between my fingers. He stood, naked, infront of me, smiling confidently and stepped into the shower.

"Hi," he said and brushed his lips against my neck.

I closed my eyes and let my head rest against the wall.

"Hi."

Miley's POV:

I laughed at Liam's failed attempt of putting on his bowtie. He turned around with furrowed eyebrows. 

"I can't get this damn thing to tie."

I put down my black clutch with a smile, and approached him. With swift movements, I made his bowtie and  he looked down at me with his eyes wide open.

"How did you do that?"

I giggled at his shocked expression and shrugged.

"No biggie."

Liam cupped my face in his hands, and kissed me softly on my lips. He was in a really good mood, and I thought that this was the perfect timing to ask him about the girl that had texted him a couple of days ago. I took a deep breath and started speaking. "Liam, I need to ask you something."

 He pulled back and for a split second, as he did so, I could've sworn his eyes changed colour. They got darker. I took a step back, and he raised his eyebrows.

"Yes?" He stared at me, as if he was daring me to ask.

I broke the intense eye contact with him, and started looking through my drawers to find my diamond earrings, he had gotten for me.

"Yes, babe?"

I spun around and with the exact same, cold, facial expression as he had, I asked him. His indifferent tone, was really getting on my nerves.

"Who is Dana? Babe."

The words came out alot harser than I had planned, but had the wanted effect.

His body got stiff, the same second I mentioned her name.

"Why do you ask?"

He was avoiding my question. 

"There's nothing you want to tell me?"

"If there was something I wanted to tell you, I would've."

He turned around to walk out of the room, but I ran after him, and grabbed him by his arm, and forced him to look at me.

"Liam, we are on our way to our rehearsal dinner. If I find out you're not telling the truth, this will be the last dinner you'll ever have with me."

Without moving a muscle in his face, he turned around and kept on walking.

Sam opened the car door for me, and led me out of it. 

"You're such a gentleman," I said and leaned my head on his shoulder.

Suddenly flashes started going off everywhere and I stood straight.

Miley's rehersal dinner was obviously not as private as I knew she wished for it to be.

Sam placed his hand over mine, and our fingers were intertwined. 

I could hear all of the papparazzi's yelling my name.

Most of them even knew Sam.

"How do you feel about Miley and Liam?"

"They're a beautiful couple," I said with a smile.

"Is Nick going to be here?"

I ignored his question and moved on.

"What about Joe?"

They all waited for my answer, but I wasn't giving it to them.

"I'm sorry about Wilmer."

I turned around to face a young guy, about eighteen years old, he looked at me with genuine eyes, and his camera wasn't pointing at me, like the rest.

Suddenly I felt overwhelmed, being out in public like this, since Wilmer's death, and I nodded.

Tears threatned to fall, but I held them in.

"Thank you," I whispered.

I felt Sam's thumb caress my hand and we finally walked in through the gates, and all of the flashes were behind us.

Just like the questions about Wilmer.

The setting was beautiful. The flames from the bonfire, lit up the pitch black sky, and the music, food, and guests were lovely.

I spotted Miley having a very close conversation with a guy that wasn't Liam.

She was holding a glass of champagne in her right hand and her other hand was on top of the guy's hand.

"Oh, there is Miley." I pointed towards her, and Sam looked at me with the same expression I had.

"What is she doing?" I could see he was smiling a bit, as if he was happy if Miley was flirting with someone other than her fiancee, Liam.

"Wipe that smile of your face. Let's go say hi."

He chuckled and we walked up to her.

"Hi, Miley." When she heard my voice, she jumped and clutched her her chest, and with her eyes wide open in shock she turned to me.

"You scared the shit out of me!" She scoot her chair, closer to the table while taking deep breaths.

"Why are you so jumpy?" I let go of Sam's hand, and bent over so the my face was next to her. 

"That could've been Liam, sneaking up on you," I said with a voice so low, only she could hear it. 

I turned to give the guy flirting with her, knowing very damn well she was engaged, a lesson he wouldn't forget, when I saw it was Nick staring back at me, with an unsure smile.

"Oh my gosh." I shook my head and took two steps back. 

"Are you guys serious? Miley, how can you do this?!"

Those words seemed to affect her, as she got up from her chair with hurt glistening in her eyes.

"Do you think he's some kind of fucking saint?"

She grabbed my arm and walked away from the boys, who were left in confusion.

"Two days ago, Liam's phone was calling. I was watching tv, and he was taking a shower. I ignored it, because it's not my phone, but it kept on ringing. Finally, I thought 'maybe it's something important', so I got up and checked to see who it was. It was someone named Dana. She had called him 23 times, that night. 23!" 

Miley wiped her tears and I hugged her.

"But, it doesn't mean that he's cheating. Go talk to him about it."

She pulled away, and snorted. 

"I did. And he avoided my question, and just walked away."

I felt so bad for her, and was just about to give her a long speech about boys and how maybe he was just tired.. When suddenly, I got a weird feeling.

Dana... Dana.. Dana.

"Dana!" I said out loud, and looked up at Miley.

"I know who she is! She used to be Liam's girlfriend. Her and Sam grew up together. Do you know why she called him?"

Miley shook her head and tears rolled down her cheek.

"She's his ex? This makes things so much worse. What if I change my mind about marrying him? Is it too late now?"

I put my hand on her shoulder and she met my eyes.

"Listen Miley, whatever you decide, all of us will be here to support you. Don't worry about making the wrong choice, just follow your heart and you'll be okay. Maybe... Oh gosh I can't believe I'm saying this, but maybe, you're not even over Nick?"

Her face lit up and she immediatley reacted when I mentioned him. And when she realised that what I said was true, she let her body fall together and let me comfort her. 

"Do you want me to talk to Sam? I can ask him  more about Dana?"

Miley nodded. We got her fixed up and with the 'emergency make up kit' I had in my clutch, I fixed her eyes again. 

We walked back to find Sam, speaking to Liam.

I put my hand on Sam's shoulder and I could feel how tense he was. He didn't even notice me standing next to him.

"Sam?" 

His eyes drifted slowly from Liam's face, to mine, and I could tell how stressed he was.

Liam had obviously told him about Dana.

Sam and Liam shared a friendly hug, and me and Miley looked at each other with a confused face.

What on earth could've made them friends again?

"Miley, I love you, and I've had a wonderful time tonight, but I have to leave. It's kind of an emergency."

He turned back to Liam.

"Thanks man. I wish you all luck."

Liam thanked him with a smile.

Sam looked at me and my eyes jumped from him, to Liam, to Miley.

She put her hand on my arm, and gave me a reassuring smile.

"Go."

I hugged her tight, and kissed her goodbye. Then I said bye to Liam.

Sam grabbed my hand, and we basically ran to his car. I almost tripped over my dress, several times, before we stood infront of his car, and he held the door open for me.

I jumped in, and slammed it behind me. In only a split second, he was sitting next to me.

He started the car, and with a loud roar, we were off on the road.

"What is going on?"

"Dana is here."

I turned to him, with a confused expression.

"Here? Where is here? In L.A?" The words came out of my mouth, in a rapid speed.

"Yes. She has been staying in Liam's appartment, not far away from your house."

"Our house." I corrected him.

He looked at me, and burst out in a smile.

"Our house."

He turned to focus on the road again.

"She came to L.A a couple of weeks ago."

"Weeks? How did she have money for anything?"

I could see Sam uncomfortably shift in his seat, and he looked really angry. 

"She.."

He broke off, and looked away.

"Sam, you can tell me."

He nodded.

"I know, I just.." He shook his head and furiously slammed his hand against the wheel, so that it honked.

"She's been selling herself."

I could feel my jaw drop in horror and my hand flew to my mouth.

"Oh my gosh, that's terrible."

He laughed dryly. 

"She used to be such a sweet girl."

I stroked his arm, trying to calm him.

"I'm sure she still is. She just did what she thought she only could do to survive here."

He pulled over with the car, outside an appartment building, and took out the car keyes. Suddenly we were sitting alone in the car, in total silence.

He looked at me, with dissapointment mixed with hurt, coating his face.

"Why didn't she call me?" He said in a low voice. "She knows I would've taken care of her."

I moved closer to him, and gently held his face in my hands. "Maybe she was too scared to talk tell you about it. Or, maybe she was ashamed. But, she's in there now. And you're going to go in there, and you can take care of your little sister, just like she deserves to be taken care of. And she can stay with us."

Sam leaned in and kissed me.

"I'm so lucky to have you as my girlfriend."

He stepped out of the car, and I stayed in my seat, thinking it was best if I let them deal with their family issues in private.

After walking a bit, he turned to look at me.

"What are you doing? Aren't you coming?"

"Oh.." I opened the car door, and ran up to him.

He put his arm over my shoulders and I gave him a reassuring hug. Liam had given Sam the keyes.

"That's awfully nice of him, considering he called her... such bad names."

Sam nodded.

"He told me our fight got him thinking, and that this was the least he could do."

I opened my mouth to ask him if he thought Liam and Dana had been having an affair behind Miley's back, but closed it quickly. 

Sam, had understood what I was about to say anyways.

"Liam made it very clear that he had only met her that one time, to supply her with basic needs."

I nodded, acting uninterested.

We came to a halt and I looked up.

24B. Dana was just inside of those walls. 

Sam took a deep breath and I squeezed his hand.

"Don't worry."

Sam had shown me a picture of her, a month ago or something, it was a picture of her when she was 16. She looked like a really sweet girl.

Sam knocked on the door. He was shifting froom one foot to the other.

He knocked again. 

No one opened.

Sam handed me the keyes, and I knew he was to, emotionally upset to handle it. I drove the key into the lock, and turned it. The door was wide opened. 

There was music playing, and I recognized my favourite band. 

"Awesome, she listens to Pierce The Veil."

Sam glared at me and I shut up. We walked into a room, and what we saw, was sure to set Sam on fire.

There was a pile of cocaine at the end of the bed, and a tall, tattoed guy lying over a skinny girl, with long blonde hair.

Sam went up to them, and when they saw us, he immediatley got up. Sam was just about to punch that guy, but I pulled him back.

"Sam, don't. It's not worth it," I whispered to him in a low voice.

He turned to Dana who was, thank the heavens, wearing clothes.

She got a horrified look on her face when she saw him and I could see tears in Sam's eyes.

It was really hard recognizing her, because her blonde hair, was so much longer. The long sleeved shirt she was wearing in the picture, was exchanged for a corset. She went from wearing, maybe a little mascara, to heavy eye make up. And she was dressed, in all black. I thought she looked kind of cool, but I knew Sam would kill me if I told him that. 

"Sam, what are you doing here?"

He grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the room.

"Where are you taking me?"

He didn't answer.

I rushed behind them, making sure the didn't forget to lock the door.

This was going to be crazy.

Dana:

To Be Continued... Melissa Ayers 1

This chapter will be based soley from Melissa's perspectiv.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Studying my stomach, I slowly turned to the side and started stroking it. I wondered if my baby could feel my touch. The image of a little babygirl rushed to my head and I couldn't  help but smile. I knew she was going to be a beautiful child. It had been four months since I told Joe that he was the father and now it was August. My child's birth was estimated to be in January. I had broken up with James and I was seeing someone else. Adrian. I think I love him, and he knows that I'm pregnant. He even went with me, when I did my ultrasound. The doctor said I was expecting a girl. I had already picked out her name. January Hannah Ayers. 

"Hey," Adrian came up behind me and kissed my neck. I turned to face him and gave him a soft peck on his lips. He stroked my cheek, before he went to the fridge to get something to eat.

"There's nothing in here," he complained.

"Want to go out and eat?"

He sighed.

"I wish, but I have a meeting with my boss. I probably forgot to tell you that yesterday. Sorry."

I walked up to him and smiled to myself at his humbleness. 

"No, I'm the one that forgot. I actually remember you telling me, now. When are you leaving?"

Adrian checked his watch then groaned.

"Shit. I have to leave in, like, now."

He rushed to the wardrobe to pick something out.

"I already put out clothes for you!" I shouted to him, while making myself a cup of coffee.

"Ah, thank you babe, you're the best," he said and I choked a giggle when I heard a loud thump followed by a groan.

"Adrian, did you just fall?"

"... Yeah, I'm okay."

I started laughing and he came out of the bedroom wearing only a pair of jeans. I looked at him over my cup and raised an eyebrow.

"You forgot a shirt?"

"Oh, did I?" He kept coming closer to me.

"Adrian..."

He put his fingertips on my waist and I knew what was coming next.

"Adrian.." I said with a serious tone.

"You know what happens when you mock me," his fingertip went a bit up my ribcage.

"Seriously, please, don't," I begged him, my eyes wideopen in horror.

He shrugged, and started tickling me.

I couldn't contain myself and I burst out laughing. Between my breaths I kept screaming at him to stop.

"Please, stop!" I felt my body jump violently as I screamed in laughter.

"Say your sorry!" He commanded.

"No!"

He started tickling me by my collarbones, and I started hitting him, while laughing uncontrollably. That was my weakspot.

"Okay,  okay, I'm sorry!"

He finally stopped tickling me and I recovered myself, by taking deep breaths.

"I hate when you do that."

He smiled and gave me a kiss on my cheek.

"You're cute when you laugh like that."

"And you're late for your meeting."

He gave me a crooked smile, and even though we had been together for a couple of months, my heart fluttered every time he did that.

He pulled on a black t-shirt, and just before he went out of the door, he turned to me.

"Don't go out tonight. I have something planned for you... Oh, dress nice!"

I nodded and blew him a kiss before he closed the door behind him.

I had put on my favorite dress, it was a black one, and my hear was curly waves. If i might say so myself, I looked pretty nice. I looked out of the window, and saw Adrian's car on the driveway. He got out of the car and I could see him wearing a suit. 

Thank. Goodness. I was so scared I was dressed to fancy.
A couple of minutes later he walked through the door. Just as he saw me his eyes got big, and his mouth opened slightly.
I pulled at my dress, a bit insecure, and he reached me and took my hand and spun me around. "You look lovely."
I giggled and he spun me into his arms.
"So do you," I said and stared into his eyes that were fixated on me.
"Shall we?" He said and offered his arm.
"We shall," I replied and out my hand around his arm.

When we arrived to the party, I felt a knot build up in my stomach.
We were at a birthday party.
"Adrian, I thought-"
I was interuppted by the high pitched voice of a lady in a figure hugging dress. She was about 50 years old, her hair was naturally golden, with no grey hairs in sight and the way she carried herself was very elegant.
"Adrian, darling!" She grabbed his cheeks and kissed them.
"Ah, you look so handsome," she continued, while holding him in arm distance and examinating him with a perfect smile on her lips.
"Hey, ma."
It was his mother's birthday?!
He pulled out a box wrapped in silver paper and a black bow on top, out of the blue bag he had been holding in his hand. "Happy birthday," he said in a low voice and kissed her on her cheek.
How could he not tell me to bring a gift?!
"Oh thank you dear," She hugged him back, and slowly turned to me.
"Adrian, aren't you going to introduce me?"
He put his hand on my back and made a gesture towards his mom.
"Ma, this is Melissa, Melissa this is Julie, my mom."
I forced a smile, trying hard not to let her see how embarressed I was.
"Hello, Melissa. Nice to meet you," She reached out her hand and shook mine.
"Hi, I'm so sorry I didn't bring anything. I didn't know where we were going, Adrian wouldn't tell me, and-"
She laughed and waved with her hand, as if she was trying to clear the air of all my excuses.
"Don't worry, doll. I'm just glad you're here."

The night was coming to an end, and we had so much fun. We sang to Julie, Adrian held a speech, we danced and I got to spend time with his family. They reminded me alot of my own family back in Canada.
"Bye Melissa, I hope you had fun!"
She kissed me on my cheek, once on each side.
"Yes, I did. Thank you very much for this evening, and happy birthday."
Julie smiled at me and when Adrian was talking to his brother, she leaned in and whispered in my ear.
"You're the only girl, that Adrian has brought to any family gathering. And I'm glad he did."
She pulled away and I couldn't help my heart flicker. I was the only girl his family had met.

"The rest will fall in place" ♥ 37

Demi's outfit:

Just as we made a stop infront of an ice cream parlor, my phone started buzzing in my pocket. I let go of Sam's hand to pick it up. I looked at the caller ID. It was Miley.

I made a gesture to Sam that I had to take this call, he nodded and went ahead to buy our ice cream.

"Hi, it's Demi."

"It's me. Miley."

Just as she said the words, I felt a knot build up in my throath and my mouth went dry. 

"I know you probably hate me, but I really need you right now."

I sighed and shrugged at the same time.

"I needed you too, but you weren't there for me, Miley."

"I know, and-"
"There's really no excuse."
"Demi, can you just-"

"No, you chose him over me!"

I raised my voice and I could feel all of the anger bubble up to the surface. The following seconds were filled with tense silence.

"We broke off our engagement." Miley's voice was calm, and she sounded tired.

Her words hit me like a slap to the face.

"What?"

"Can I come over tonight?"

I was just about to say no, but then I remembered all that Miley had done for me. She was one of the few people that actually cared about me when I was in treatment, and after. 

"Sure."

We said bye, and I hung up. Just as I looked up I noticed Sam standing right infront of me. He held both of our ice creams in one hand and napkins in the other.

"Is everything alright?"

I took a breath, and was just about to lie to him, but decided not to.

I took my cone from his hand and gave him a short smile, before I started speaking.

"No, it's not. I broke up with Joe yesterday, and now I just got a call from Miley. She asked if she could come over and I said okay, but I don't know how I feel about..." 

I stopped speaking and stared into Sam's comforting brown eyes.

"I just don't know anymore," I murmured.

He draped his arm over my shoulders and our fingers intervened. 

As we were walking down the street in a couple of minutes of silence, Sam started speaking.

"We don't always have to know what's about to happen. As long as we are sure of what is now, then the rest will fall into place."

I smiled and he bent down to kiss me. We stood there, in the middle of the street, not seeing anything else, but eachother.

After a long day of shopping me and Sam finally got home. We dropped all of our bags and on the floor and he placed his hands on each side of my waist, and spun me around so that we were facing each other. I rested my arms on his shoulders and gazed upon his face. He leaned in and was just about to make his lips meet mine, I closed my eyes and- Knock, knock, knock.
I sighed with my eyes still closed and Sam gave me a quick peck on my forehead, before he went to open the door.
I turned around to see who was hiding behind him.
"Hi, Sam."
Her voice gave her away immediatley. It was slightly trembling, and I knew she was really, really, ashamed about what happened.
But Sam just gave her a big hug and I could hear him murmur in her ear, that he was 'sorry about Liam'.
I contained myself from burrsting out in a big 'awww', instead I smiled like a fool. I knew I had made the right choice regarding choosing him as my boyfriend.
Miley gave him a thankful smile and stepped into the house.
She stopped at the sight of me, and gave me a faint smile.
I nodded, with a stonehard face and she sighed.
"Come on Demi, I told you I'm sorry." She turned around to face Sam. "I'm really, really sorry."
He nodded, but I didn't.
"Miley, do you know how weird it felt, the fact that you kicked me out of your house?"
"And I am really sorry about that, Demi. I love you too much to let this go, so can you please just forgive me and we can go back to being best friends?" She gve me a hopeful smile, and I gave in.
I ran up to her and gave her a big hug.
"I'm so sorry about Liam, baby."
When I pulled up, and scanned her face, she gave me a weak smile.
She shrugged and I could she see was fighting her tears.
"It's just that.. I don't get how he could give up on us, that easily, you know?"
I nodded, understanding her.
"Are you sure you broke up?"
She wiped her tears with the backside of her hand.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, did he actually say that you were through or did he just storm out of the house in the middle of an argument?"
This seemed to have her brain going and suddenly she smiled.
"He never said the words."
I gave her an encouring smile.
"See! Maybe he just needs some time to think."
I saw Sam studying me, with a big smile on his lips, at the other end of the room.
"What?" I hissed at him.
He put his hands up in defence, chuckling.
"It's just... You know what, never mind."
I rolled my eyes and concentrated on Miley.
"Do you know where he is?"
She nodded.
"He's at his brother's house."
I made a gesture with my hands.
"Call him."
Miley picked up her phone and dialled his number, then went out of the room to have some privacy.
Just as she left, I walked up to Sam and threw up my hands.
"Why are you laughing?"
"I was just thinking how lucky I am to be your boyfriend. Demi, I've been thinking..."
My heart skipped a beat.
"Yes?"
"I-"
"Great news! Liam apologized and is waiting for me at home!" Miley's voice roared through the house and I smiled at her.
"That's great."
She walked up to me with her phone in one hand and her jacket in the other.
"I'll see you-" She kissed me on the cheek, "-later," she continued while hugging Sam.
"Bye!"
She shut the door behind her.
I turned back to Sam.
"So, where were we?"
"I was just about to ask you, if you wanted to take this relationship a step further. Demi, I love you. I do. And I'm willing to move to L.A permenatly for you. So, do you want to move in with me?"
As I heard him say the words, and then look at me with those warm brown, I almost burst with happiness.
"On one condition."
I took one step closer to Sam, so that our lips were only centimeters apart.
He raised a brow.
"And what is that?"
"That we live here."
He laughed and nodded.
"Deal."
Then we kissed and I was the happiest I had been for a long time.

"Our love will never fade away" ♥ 36

(PLAY WHILE READING)

Joe's POV:

I picked up my phone from the kitchen table and called her. I had to talk to her.

She answered after only one signal.

"Hello?"

"Um, hi."

The silence was really awkward.

"Demi... We need to talk."

"Yeah, I know."

She knows? 

"Uh, okay. Can you meet me today?"

She paused, and I could her some weak mumbling. She was covering her phone with her hand.

"Joe, it's New Years eve."

I raised my eyebrows. I thought we were supposed to spend it together.

"So? We're meeting up later anyways, right?"

Demi's POV:

Shit.

I totally forgot about the MTV New Year's Eve party.

"Yeah, about that... Can I come over?"

"Yeah, ofcourse."
"Okay, see you."
"See you lat-"

Demi had hung up.
Joe put the phone away from him and sighed.
How was he going to tell Demi that he had cheated on her and that Melissa was pregnant with his baby?!
He ran his fingers through his hair and, out of frustration, he threw his phone at the wall.
"Fuck!" He said the word with an irritated voice, and stroked his neck, while thinking.

Demi's POV:
"Sam!"
I called his name while stuffing my phone into my purse.
"Yeah?" I could hear him coming closer.
I turned around and faced a half naked Sam, wearing only a towel wrapped arounds his lower body.
I forgot what I was about to say, and my eyes were as glued to his body, watching the drips of water slowly run down his abs...
"Where are you going?"
His raspy morning voice brought me back to reality and I looked up at his face and met his eyes. He had noticed I'd been staring at him, because he had an amused smile on his lips.
"Um, I have to meet Joe. I have to talk to him about you and me, and apparently there was something he had to tell me too."
The smile slowly dissapeared and a confused look replaced it.
"Why are you telling Joe about us?"
Oh, right. I had forgotten to tell him about Joe. Great.
"Well, when you left I was alone. I was heartbroken. And me and Joe.. You know we used to date and he just came along and when I was with him, I kind of.. healed, you know?"
I could see that Sam was struggling a bit with the new information, but he tried to keep a straight face.
"Right," he said shortly and gave me a quick kiss.
I felt a short stab in my heart, but managed to pull my lips up to a halfhearted smile.

Joe's POV:
"I just miss you, Joe."

"I miss you too, and I don't want to do this, but I have to. Do we have a deal?"
She didn't answer.
"Melissa?"
"Yeah," her reply was short and emotionless.
"So, is that a deal?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever."
I sighed.
"You know I don't want to do this, but I'm not ready to be a parent."
The following silence was filled with so much tension, I could almost touch it.
"Neither am I, Joe," she said with an ice cold voice.
"But, I have a career, and you..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say next.
"And I'm just a waitress with no future?"
I sighed, again, but with more stress this time.
"You know that's not what I meant."
"Actually Joe, there's alot of things that I thought I knew about you, but that I recenty discovered, I don't."
"Melissa.."
"No, don't 'Melissa' me. I have dreams, and I try to reach them. It might take some time, but I will get there. Acting is my passion, but not everyone were born with the same benefits in life, as you were. Luck isn't something I've had alot of experience with in my life. And the fact that I have a baby with you, is yet another example of that. You know, I've had alot of people tell me I'll never make it. Tell me that I'm not good enough, and I've convinced myself to give up. And if you are ashamed to be seen with someone who isn't famous, rich and gorgeous like Demi, than just stop calling me. Because, I will never be her. You got that? I will always be that girl struggling in life, working hard, trying to reach what she dreams about the most in life. Becoming an actress. And even though my baby will grow up without a father, he will be an amazing person when he grows up. Because I can act as both his dad AND his mom. Bye, Joe."


"But-"
The line went dead.
Just then I heard someone knock, three times on the door.
I put the phone down on the table, and went to open the door. Behind it, Demi's face was revealed.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey."
We both stared at eachother for several seconds, before I decided to break the ice.
"Um, come in." I gestured towards the living room behind me.
She gave me a quick smile, and continued past me.
I shut the the door behind me and followed her to the couch. We sat down, opposite to eachother and I could tell something was troubling her. Another thing that I noticed was that she was wearing all black, and her face seemed... all washed out. Her eyes and nose were a bit swollen and her hair was casually tossed up in a bun.
Demi's POV:
"Dem, are you okay?" Joe asked suspiciously.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I shot him a fake smile, but I could tell that he wasn't convinced.
"I can tell when you're lying," he said and his eyes went from being distant, to warm. Just the way I loved them.
I sighed, and tried to prepare myself mentally for telling him about Wilmer's passing.
"Joe.." I started, but I couldn't even start my sentence without feeling the tears building up in my eyes, and making my eyes burn.
I fought to keep them in, but as I continued to speak, they fell down my cheeks.

"After the Halloween party.."
Joe put up his hand.
"Yeah, about that, where did you go? I tried calling you, but I couldn't get a hold of you."
I nodded. He was lying. I had checked my phone just before dad called, and I only had one message, from Rory. Joe had called me the next day.
"I got a call from my dad, and I took a cab to the hospital. Wilmer," I said with a shaky voice, but I couldn't continue because my voice failed me and I broke out in tears.
"He's gone."
I looked up at Joe. All the color was drained from his face and his mouth was slightly open.
"Fuck," he whispered and the tears in his eyes were on the verge of falling.
"How?"
I wiped my nose and shrugged.
"They don't know yet."
Joe walked over to me and draped his arm over my shoulders. I rested my head on his shoulder, and we sat like that in a couple of quiet, calm, peaceful, minutes. It was a silent moment for Wilmer. We both knew he was what we were thinking of. I let out a short breath and looked at Joe. He wiped away the few tears left on my cheeks, and under my eyes, with his fingertips and we both smiled.
Suddenly, I was struck with an idea.
"Joe, do you have any candles?"
He furrowed his brows.
"Yeah, probably."
"Can you please bring two? And matches or a lighter."
He nodded and got up from my side, without asking any questions.
I got up from my seat, and took of my high heels. Then I knelt before his table.
"What are you doing?" I could hear him walk into the livingroom, behind me.
"Just put the candles on the table and come sit next to me."
Joe raised his eyebrows and mumbled an "okay..?"
But he knelt down next to me and handed me the matches.
I lit the candles and held his hand.
"Close your eyes," I commanded him.
He did as I said.
I closed my own and started praying.
"Almighty Eternal God, in Your fatherly goodness, be kind to the soul of Your servant, Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama. Cleanse him whom You have called from this world of all his faults..."

I blew out the candles and turned to Joe.
I realised he was already staring at me.
"What?" I said and giggled.
"I didn't know you knew the prayers. I'm impressed."
I laughed.
"Praying acutally helps me alot. It gets me through my tougher times."
Joe smiled and stroked my cheek. He let his hand glide down to my chin and cupped it with his hand.
"I'm gonna miss you, y'know," he murmured, almost more to himself than to me.
I met his eyes, and gazed upon him with confusion hinting in face.
"What do you mean?"
He shrugged, but didn't let his hand fall down from my cheek.
"I'm guessing you didn't come over to pray for Wilmer."
He said it as a statement, but his voice went up a bit on the end of the sentence, so that it sounded a bit like a question.
I looked down and shook my head slightly.
When looked up at him again, I noticed how his smile never left his lips.
"I still love you though."
I let out a laugh and nodded.
"I love you too."
He opened his arms, and I found my place in his embrace. I felt at home.

The truth was that we would always love eachother. Sometimes the love would take shape in friendship, but often it was more than that. Right now we loved eachother as friends, but as we lied closed to eachother, we both knew it was just a matter of time before our love took form of romance again. But the love we had for eachother, never died or faded away. It would always be there to stay.

Writer's note:
I just want to thank you all that follow this story. Seeing that people actually care about whether or not I update, really means the world to me. 
So, should Joe tell Demi about his baby?
Is Sam and Demi, better than Joe and Demi?

"What do we do now, get married?" ♥ 35

(PRESS PLAY AND LISTEN WHILE READING!) <3


"Demi, I know you're in there."

I groaned and pulled the cover over my head. 

"Demi, come on. Just open up. I need to talk to you."
I still refused to move.
"Someone is here with me to see you."

I only had an ounce of energy left in my body, and when Dallas said that sentence I succeeded with letting out a weak "who?", but strong enough for her to hear me. My fingers were tied it was Joe. I needed someone to comfort me. Someone that could hold me, without making me feel like I could kill them on the spot. I needed him.

"Open the door, and you'll see," Dallas shouted back. 

I moaned, but found some strength too slowly push my body up from the bed. I took two aspirins, from the tube that was next to my bed, and a sip of the water next to it. I made a face when I realised the water had been there for two nights, but I forced myself to swallow it. 

I was wearing a set of pyjamas that Sam gave me when we were still dating. I had been wearing them for three days straight now. 

My eyes were swollen from all the crying I had been doing, and my hair was in a messy bun.

 I carefully swung my legs down the bed, and let my feet slip into some panda slippers I found in my shoe closet.

Before I started heading towards the door, I thought about grabbing my college, but then ended up shrugging and dragged my feet to the door.

Dallas knocked repeatedly, just as I opened the door.

Dallas hand, which was still in the air, slowly fell to her side when she saw me.
We stared at eachother before I broke into tears.

"I'm so sorry.." She bit her lip and her eyes instantly filled with tears. 

"Come here," I said and wrapped my arms around her. We stood there for a while, and just as I was about to pull away from her I saw someone walk up the stairs to my house.

It was Sam.

He ran his fingers through his hair, and when he looked up and saw me, he stopped. He just stopped walking , and I stopped breathing. My whole world just stopped, and I could feel how my knees got weak and my heart started racing. We looked at each other for, what seemed like for ever, before he decided to break the silence.

"I meant to call first."

I couldn't find any words, I couldn't speak, so I just nodded.

Dallas looked at the two of us, before awkwardly pointing to the door and making a comment about how she was going to give us some "privacy". 

I closed the door behind me and walked up to Sam, who was still standing on the stairs. His brown eyes were piercing into mine. 

We were now so close that I could smell his cologne.

I closed my eyes and let the smell remind me of all our moments together. All of my emotions, that had been lying buried deep down in my heart, came rushing back. 

And for the first time, since Wilmer's death, I let the corners of my lips slightly go up.

"I heard about Wilmer." Sam's voice brought me back to reality, and suddenly the depression of the last three days, surrounded me. 

I looked at Sam, and when I felt the tears fill my eyes again, I looked down and I couldn't help myself from sobbing. Sam furrowed his eyebrows, and I could read on his face that he was hurting when I cried.

He let his fingertips gently caress my cheek.
I let him. 

His eyes flickered and he didn't meet mine.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled.

I looked into his eyes, but this time my eyes weren't filled with love, with tears- yes, but mainly with hurt. 

I was hurt because he had left me, because he hadn't called, because... Well, because he didn't come back for me.

"Are you sorry for Wilmer," I made a pause and he met my eyes, "- or are you sorry because you never came back?"

Sam shook his head with guilt, but looking into my eyes now.

"Both."

I crossed my arms over my chest and shrugged demanding.

"Do you have a reason, or was I just not good enough?"

Sam, who had been looking down, hastily looked at me and cocked his head to the side. When he started speaking, his brows were deeply furrowed, he gesticulated with his hands, his voice was raised and I can swear a fire was dancing just in the center of his pupil. 

"I left, just because I loved you. I still do. I couldn't forgive myself for losing controll, that day. I'm not that kind of person, but when it comes to Dana... I can't help myself. She means everything to me."

Sam:" She means everything to me."

I rolled my eyes and a sarcastic laugh escaped my lips.

"Ofcourse... it's another girl. Is it her I heard on the phone?"

Sam sighed.

"Yes and no."

He seemed to understand that I was confused, because he continued without waiting for my response.

"When you and Miley went away for awhile, me and Liam started to talk about Australia. I used to live there, growing up, and Dana..."

Sam made a pause, and I could tell how his face lit up when he mentioned her name.

"Do you love her?" I asked.

Sam's eyes met mine and he nodded.

A knot in my stomach started building up and I shut my eyes to prevent myself from crying.

"But it's not how you think, Dem. She's 10 years younger than me. She is like my little sister, and also the daughter of Gabriella. When her dad left, Gabriella had to come to our parents and ask for help. She was only 17 and they couldn't reject her. So they took her in and she grew up together with me." Sam once again paused, but this time I could tell he was teary-eyed. He looked up to keep the tears from falling, but he failed. A single tear slowly fell down his cheek.

I brought my thumb to the side of his face and slowly brushed it away.

He looked at me and continued speaking, now with a steady voice.

"Liam said he was from Australia, so I asked him which part, and he happened to have grown up not too long from where I used to live. I asked him if he knew Gabriella, but he didn't, then I asked him if he knew Dana and this time his answer was different. He said "I thought I did", when I asked him what he meant he said that Dana was a slut and that she going blind a good thing. He said that she deserved it." Sam pronounced the last words with disgusting.
"How did she go blind?" I carefully asked him.
"One day when we were kids we found some tiny fireworks in a box. She held it in her hands while I lit it. The doctor said it was a miracle she didn't die. She was in a coma for a long time though. Anyways, I will always blame myself for that. And when Liam said so, I... exploded. And when you tried to stop me, I was blinded by anger."

I slowly pulled my hand back and crossed my arms over my chest. The wind was blowing through my hair and I wrapped my arms around myself instead. Sam, who noticed I was cold, took of his coat and draped it over my shoulders.

I smiled of appreciation. I accepted his reason for leaving, but he still hadn't told me why he never came back or called.

"You did the right thing. Liam acted like a douche. And you shouldn't blame yourself. You were just a child, you didn't know better." I made a pause and looked down. "But why didn't you call me? I missed you, so much.." I choked on the last word, and my eyes started flickering but I kept on speaking. "I couldn't love anyone else, just the same as I loved you. I never even got an explanation. A reason."

Sam nodded and his face went hard. He looked away from me.

"Just after I left L.A, I went back to Atlanta, when I arrived I was welcomed with the news of my sisters passing..."

When Sam said that I automatically took a step away from him and gasped. Both of my hands were covering my mouth and I just slowly shook my head, trying to let Sam know how sorry I was.

"Gabriella's dead?"
He nodded, and I could tell how hard he was trying to keep his tears from falling.
"I wanted to tell you, but there was so much on my plate, and I didn't want to come back to you when I was an emotional mess. I wanted to do the right thing, not put even more weight on your shoulders."
I embraced him in a hug, and he hugged me back. I rested my head on his shoulder and we stood there for a while, before he pulled back, but his hands still holding mine.
"That night, I made the second biggest mistake of my life. Leaving you."
I bit my lip and I felt my cheeks burning.
Sam smiled amusingly and took a step closer to me.
"What was the biggest mistake?" I whispered the words and watched as Sam always got closer to me. His chest was against mine and our lips just millimeters away.

"Not coming back for you," he murmured and I couldn't help myself. I put my hands around his neck and his lips gently met mine. I could feel his smile in our kiss, and my tounge entered his mouth. Our lips moved in sync, and I felt like we could stand there forever..
But just then it started raining. It started as just drizzle but after a couple of minutes rain was pouring down and we pulled away from eachother.
"Where did that come from?" I laughed of shock and amazment while looking up.
But Sam was still resting his eyes on me.
"It reminds me of our first date," he said and my heart fluttered when I realised he had been thinking about that day as many times as I had. I looked back at him and nodded.
"You look just as amazing right now... Even though you're in the pyjamas I gave you." He took me in and looked at me up and down, his smile never leaving his lips.
I gasped when realising I was in dirty pyjamas, and that my hair was a mess. I wrapped my arms around my body and cursed myself for not wearing my college.
Sam laughed at my attempt of shielding myself, and cupped my face in his hand.
"I love you, Demi. And no matter what happens from now on, it will always be you. 

Melissa's POV:
Joe ran his fingers through his hair, of pure frustration.
"I can't believe this is happening," he said and shook his head.
I stood in the corner of the room with my arms crossed over my chest.
"Are you sure the test was positive?"
Was he being serious right now?
"Yes, Joe. I did three different tests, ofcourse I'm sure!"

"Shit," he said for what felt like the hundreth time during the course of ten minutes.
I rolled my eyes and sighed.
"What do we do now, get married?" He asked, with an irritated voice.
I squinted my eyes angrily and walked up to him.
"No, we don't do anything. Look, I get that you're not ready to be a parent, but neither am I."

Melissa: "Look, I get that you're not ready to be a parent, but neither am I."
I threw my hands up in the air. "Just leave me alone and I'll take care of it." I yanked my jacket of the hook that it had been hanging on and flung open the door.
I could hear Joe sigh behind me.
"Wait. Mel, wait.."
But I just stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind me.
I couldn't breathe or see because my tears were blindning me, but I made it down the stairs and out of the door.
I was carrying Joe's baby. How the fuck did I get in this situation?

"I was too late.." ♥ 34

(PLEASE PLAY THE SONG WHILE READING)


I ran into his room with my heart in my throath. 

Mom and dad were sitting down next to his bed. I couldn't see passed them. 

I cleared my throath and they turned around. When they saw it was me, their shoulders slumped and mom slightly shook her head with tears in her eyes.
'I'm so sorry... Sweetie...'
I saw her mouth moving, but I couldn't hear her. The shock had taken over me. 

My feet automatically moved slowly up to his bed. 

He was covered with a white linnen. 

I was too late.

"Wilmer?" My voice was so weak. 

"I'm so sorry baby," mom said and I could tell on the way her voice was shaking, that she had been crying before I came.

I needed air. 

With a trembling hand I revealed his face. He was pale and that's when it hit me.
Wilmer was gone.
I heard someone scream loudly, it was my own voice, and I couldn't stand staying in the room one second longer. With my shoes in one hand, I pushed the door to the room, open with my other.
'Honey, wait..!'
I could hear my parents calling me, but I was to overwhelmed to even look back.
I ran out of the room, down some stairs and out of the hospital.
The cold air that engulfed me brought me back to reality.

My legs got week and before I knew it I just dropped down. I was sitting down, with my feet on the ground. 

And the tears started flowing.
'Oh my gosh, oh my gosh oh my gosh...'
I couldn't help repeating those three words over and over again.

Joe's POV:
Melissa looked over at the watch on the wall.
"Shit, it's 4 am!"
I chuckled.
"Aren't you sleeping over?"
"No, I have to go home. I have work in the morning, and it's too far from here."
"Oh..." I nodded. "Well, I think I'm leaving now too, do you want a ride?"
She smiled.
"Yeah, thank you."
I put my beer down, and went out from the kitchen, with Melissa behind me.
Suddenly, I felt someone pulling me back.
"What the fuck, yo?!"
I turned around, ready to punch someone, then I saw it was James. His hair was messed up, his eyes were bloodshot, and wasn't wearing a shirt. He was sweaty, and I could tell he had been drinking alot.
"Take it easy man, I was about to hit you," I clapped him on his back, ready to reach the door, when he pulled me back again.
"Okay, what's the probablem, dude?" I tried to keep calm

Melissa's POV:
The irritation in Joe's voice was obvious.
"Why are you all up on my girl?"
James pointed at me, while screaming at Joe.
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
James laughed sarcastically.
"Do you think I'm fucking stupid? I can tell you want to fuck her."
I gasped.
The way he talked about me was just offensive. As if I was an object. And as if I wasn't standing just right next to him.
Joe seemed to think the same way, because he placed his hands on James chest and pushed him hard.
"Don't talk about her like that. And what about you? You're the one grinding on Demi!"
James shrugged.
"Just doing the job for you. She seemed happy she was finally getting some!"
Getting some? What the hell was that supposed to mean? Getting some of James or getting some attention?
Was James cheating? Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped him hard on the side of his face.
"Atleast I keep my girls from hitting me," Joe laughed at James. Which was a big mistake.
James punched him in the face.
And then it started.
They started a huge fight.
James grabbed Joe and slammed him against a wall. Joe fell down on the floor, but got up and punched James in his stomach.
James bent over and groaned.
That's when I grabbed Joe's arm and made a run for the door. We got out and I fiddled with the keyes in Joe's pocket. I took them out and unlocked the door to his car.
Joe opened my side and I got in.
When he slammed it shut, I saw James open the frontdoor, trying to continue the fight with Joe, but Joe was already in the car and we drove away.

We sat in silence for the most part of the ride, until the car started going slower and finally stopped outside of Joe's house.
"What happened?"
"Shit."
He hit the steering wheel and sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't have any gas."
"Okay, um, that's fine, I'll just walk from here. Thanks for the ride," I gave him a quick smile and stepped out of his car and started walking.
"Mel!"
I turned around. Joe started walking towards me.
"Hey, wait. Why don't you crash at my place tonight?"
I laughed.
"James would kill me."
Joe raised an eyebrow.
"James doesn't have to know."
Now it was my turn to raise an eyebrow.
"What about Demi?"
Joe shrugged with a hint of a smile on his lips.
Never did his eyes break away from mine.
"So what do you say?"
I hesitated, but then nodded.
"Yeah, fine. I mean it is closer to work. Thanks."
He wrapped his arm around me, and we started walking back to his house.
"Is this a trick you use to get girls to follow you home?" I asked him jokingly.
Joe threw his head back and laughed.
"Sometimes. No, I'm kidding!"
We laughed together on our way to the gate of his house.