10

ALEX'S POV

"Maxipad, go easy on me!" I screamed at our security guard, Max, as we were on our way to the photo shoot. We were playing a casual game of connect four on iMessage games.

"Never!" He spoke with his accent and laughed.

"Mommy! Max isn't going easy on me!" I fake whined and pouted.

"Max, go easy on my daughter." She joked back.

"Hah! I blocked off your connect!" I stuck my tongue out.

"No! I have another one! I win!" He stuck his tongue out at me. I playfully slapped him.

"When the fuck did I become the mature one?" Mom asked. I shrugged. I saw I was tagged in a tweet by mom.

@ddlovato: These two weirdos are playing connect four. Ya gotta love them. I love one more than the other. @_maxlea_ @alexisgracelovato

@_maxlea_: Aww, you love me more than Alex.

@ddlovato: Uh sure hehe 😜

We arrived at the place for the photo shoot. Max got out of the car first and held the car door open for us. Paparazzi were going crazy.

"Alex! Over here! Is it true you self harmed?!"

"Demi! Was Alex a mistake?!"

"You're looking gorgeous! Look here!"

I panicked as all the cameras were flashing and quickly held onto mom.

"Mommy!" I panicked and screamed.

"Come here, baby." She cooed as she picked me up. I hid my face in the crook of her neck.

"Back away guys! You're scaring her!" I heard Max shout at them.

"Alex needs to lose weight!"

My breathing quickened and Max rushed my Mom and I inside of the building. I was starting to have a panic attack

"Alex, breathe." Mom spoke softly as she sat down with me in her arms. "Breathe, baby girl." She held my head to her chest.

"Is Alexis ready for the photo shoot?" Someone asked.

"Give us a moment please." Mom said as she continued holding me. I eventually calmed down after a bit.

"I.. I'm sorry.. I should be used to them by now.." I spoke quietly.

"Don't apologize, baby. I'm not completely used to them. Also.. don't listen to what they say. They're just trying to get under your skin." She kissed my forehead. I nodded.

I went into the back to get my makeup done, along with my hair. We had a couple minutes before the photographer was ready.

"Mom! Let me do your makeup!" I begged. She gave in and I did her makeup. I purposely made it bad. "What do you think?" I giggled.

"It's great!" She replied sarcastically. She got a makeup wipe and wiped it off.

"Alexis, we're ready for you!" They shouted.

"Coming! And it's Alex!" I shouted, back running to them and making them all laugh.

I put on the outfit I'm supposed to wear and I panicked. It's a black leotard with long sleeves. I can't wear this! It makes me look fat. I started scratching at my thighs.

"Stupid fat! Go away!" I screamed and cried as I kept scratching at my thighs.

"Alex!" Someone grabbed my hands and stopped me. I looked them in the eyes and saw it was Mom. I fell to the floor and she went down with me. "Baby.. what was that about?" She asked in a worried voice.

"I'm too fat, Mom! Don't you see?! It shows my fat! I look gross!" I exclaimed. Mom made me look her in the eyes.

"You are NOT fat! You are NOT gross! You're perfect for who you are. I'm not just saying that because I'm your mother. Baby.. go do that photo and make everyone proud. Make me proud." She kissed my forehead. I went back to the photographer and Scooter. My mom decided it was best if we had the same manager.

"Yes, darling! Work it! You're doing great!" The photographer exclaims. You know those photographers that sound like really gay? That's what he sounds like. It took an hour till it was over. I ran off to my Mom and she held me in her warm, comforting embrace.

"You did great, baby girl!" She smothered me in kisses and I laughed. I quickly changed into the clothes I came in.

"You guys ready?" Max came up from behind us. I flinched and calmed down when I saw it was him. We were about to leave the building and I panicked at the paparazzi.

"Come here, Alex." Mom opened her arms and she picked me up. We walked out and the flashes were going off. I whimpered and hid my face in the crook of her neck again like I did earlier. She was singing softly in my ear and saying comforting things as she rubbed my back. We got in the car and as mom was about to move over to let Max sit in the middle I quickly clung onto her.

"I want to sit next to you!" I whined. I sat next to her and smiled. "Should I post a photo from the photo shoot?" I asked, looking at Mom. All the photos weren't coming out on social media till we were on tour.

"Yes. Give them a sneak peak."

I went onto Instagram and posted a photo. I captioned it "Isn't it lovely all alone? 🎵"

I turned off my phone and laid my head on my Mom's lap and put my feet in Max's lap. He looked at me and I smirked. I ended up falling asleep in the car like that.