Chapter 6

SIX

"The bathroom is completely stockedand here are a few outfits for you. Pajamas for tonight, and an interview outfit for tomorrow."

Raina had set out a stack of clothes that were all neatly hung on black velvet hangers.

I was standing in the middle of their beautifully decorated guest room—which was essentially bigger than a studio apartment.

Catching a glimpse at the labels, I immediately stumbled back. "Oh, no, I can't possibly borrow these." Dolce Gabbana, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, and others I couldn't even pronounce.

"Demi, you can keep these. I wouldn't ask for them back." Raina smiled as she lifted white blazer and slacks, beaming as she held it closer to my frame. "This would be perfect for your interview."

I felt an overwhelming rush of nerves cutting through me. "Why are you being so nice to me?" My words shook and suddenly, I felt dazed with fear. Walking away backward, my palms grew moist and my eyes narrowed on the blush- and cream-colored room as I felt sweat beads build at my hairline. Tripping over my own feet, I collapsed onto the plush carpet and pushed back into the corner as I refused to blink.

What was this?

How stupid could I have been? Raina's face dropped as she set the clothes down and watched me until I gripped my knees and tugged them to my face. My breathing grew unsteady, and I was asphyxiating on the air around me.

"Demi…" Clenching my eyes shut, I shook my head as tears streamed out. Grinding my teeth, the sound sent chills up my spine, but I stayed focused on it until a searing pain grew in my own jaw.

A soft hand brushed against my arm, and I sobbed harder.

"Demi, please, just breathe. I need you to take a deep breath in and then exhale. Let's do that together." Raina tried to breathe in and out loud enough for my body to mimic hers.

Suddenly, I could hear the strumming of a guitar, the hum of a piano, and… It was all too much.

"I'm choking." I slammed my hands around my throat, tightening my grip, further cutting off the oxygen from my body.

"Demi!" Raina cried out and dug her nails into my hands, peeling them off my throat.

Sobbing hysterically, I collapsed onto my side. Raina lifted my head into her lap and brushed my hair from my face. "Shh, shh… It's okay, honey. It's okay."

I couldn't stop crying as the snot dribbled down and intertwined with the tears. My body was convulsing from the extreme high of emotions, and all I wanted was to cut my own flesh. I needed to cut.

I needed to numb myself and the noise.

"It'll be okay. I promise." And suddenly, Raina kissed my forehead in this maternal, reassuring way that made me cry even harder.

I don't know how much time had passed, but eventually, I took a shower. A long, hot shower, rubbing my body with actual body wash, and using shampoo and conditioner on my hair. I couldn't tell if it was water or tears, but I stayed in there until I felt dizzy from the steam.

Wrapping myself in a towel that resembled a cloud, I slowly wiped the condensation from the mirror, and within a moment, I felt a cool breeze brush against my arms.

No, no, no. She's here.

She was behind me, staring at me with blood dripping down her face from the whites of her eyes.

"No!" I screeched, flinging around with my arms flailing. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" I sunk to my knees.

She looked down at me, slowly shaking her head. Her once thick brown hair was shriveled. Her frame was thinner and slowly, she bent down to grow closer to me.

Opening her mouth, it was a darkened black hole and…

"Demi?" A knock on the door sounded. I instinctively glanced that way, but quickly looked back.

She's gone.

"Demi? Demi, please open the door." Pressing my palms against the counter, I tugged myself up and tied my towel back in place. Taking a deep breath, I gradually opened the door.

"I've never experienced a rain shower." I shrugged as the concern melted off Raina's face and was replaced with a trifling grin.

"I'll give you privacy and let you get some sleep, but Demi, please let me know if you need me. I'm right down the hall on the right side; Kai's room is on the left." She deliberated for a moment. "Do you want me to stay?" she added delicately.

"No, I'm fine. Thanks. I'm sure you're wondering why the hell you let a mentally insane girl into your house." I dug my index finger into the softened flesh around my thumb. "I promise, I won't leave my room until the morning." I reassured her.

Raina tilted her head and paused. "No, Demi… I'm wondering how someone could have hurt a girl as sweet as you. And I want you to know, if you ever need to talk about the music from Nashville… I'm here to listen."

My chest tightened, but this time it wasn't from fear; it was from the fact that I could tell she really cared.

About me.