Chapter Text
1.
Jennel liked to think of herself as a likeable person: friendly, approachable. She stood out when she was in Massachusetts. Before the X Factor fame, before her name was broadcasted into millions of American living rooms twice a week, she was well known and well liked within her own little comfortable community of Rochester. She’d always been just a little bit crazy- the only dancer in her company to ever get kicked out of a grocery store for racing a friend through the isles in a shopping cart. The only one in her family to forgo the four year college plan and throw herself wholeheartedly toward her dreams instead. So when Jennel didn’t stand out anymore, when she wasn’t the crazy one in a family full of sequined eye patches and spiked headgear, it was disconcerting, to say the least.
Jennel’s first impressions of the contestants had been drawn up when they all performed in Florida, during boot camp. There were dozens and dozens of acts, so much talent that wasn’t even acknowledged on camera, and Jennel managed to get herself tied in with Willie Jones, an anomaly of a kid, and Cece Frey, who was reckless and unpredictable. While she was somewhat in awe of Cece, Jennel and Willie became fast friends. In reality, it was strange that Jennel and Willie had ended up friends considering the differences between the two: they didn’t have the same taste in music (at all), they didn’t agree on fashion or style, they didn’t have similar lifestyles. The friendship broke every law of social sciences, but it was strong, and when Willie went home, Jennel lost a lifeline.
The girls in the Young Adults category should have all been friends, in theory. They were all around the same age, and they all had different styles of music, something that made the competition just a little less awkward. Jennel had befriended Cece during bootcamp, a relationship that strengthened after the loss of Willie, but she hadn’t ever become close with Paige, the third of the girls in her age group. Paige was a mother, and Paige was a few years older than Jennel and Cece were, she was even a few years older than Demi. Paige was worried about Paige, and once that became apparent to the other contestants, there was a significant decrease in efforts made to befriend her. Jennel instead ended up forging an unlikely bond with her mentor, Demi. And this is where Jennel was stuck. She was unable to pinpoint whether this relationship was purely professional, and if Demi was only concerned with Jennel, the contestant, rather than with Jennel, the girl. This was the most logical conclusion to come to, but occasionally Demi would drop little ‘how are you doing?’s that sounded so heartfelt that Jennel would get confused and question whether maybe they had a real friendship. The prospect of it blew Jennel’s mind. She wasn’t sure what she thought X Factor auditions would entail, but she definitely never imagined that she’d be on casual speaking terms with the smiley starlet on the judging panel.
There were few other contestants around Jennel’s age, the most notable ones being Emblem 3. The Stromburg brothers were cute, humble, and just excited to be there. Drew was the complete opposite- loud, cocky, and determined to win the whole thing. The three of them together were likable enough, and Drew, in all his obnoxious, textbook douchebag glory, was actually an okay guy… sometimes. Becoming friends with Drew wasn’t something that Jennel consciously accomplished- and the first memory she can remember of interacting with him probably includes some sort of stupid joke that pulled a pity laugh out of her. He was flirty by nature, and Jennel and Cece enjoyed toying with the boys after Drew had been made clearly aware that no, he didn’t actually have a chance.
There was a long-running inside joke between Drew and the girls- a discussion about their senior proms and how much of a nightmare everyone’s was brought about a dramatic reenactment on a boring night. There was next to nothing to do in the mansion, and Drew had taken on the persona of an awkward gawky highschooler one night, spending the entire night in character and dragging the joke out for as long as it was funny, and just a bit past that. He proceeded to embarrass himself in every way possible attempting to ask Cece- or, as her name had somehow morphed into, Tammy , -to be his date. She accepted flamboyantly, at which point Jennel butted in, protesting.
“Wait wait wait, you’re asking her to prom? What makes up for my shitty prom experience then? I’m not going to prom alone.” Jennel crossed her arms jokingly. Drew was on his knees, holding one of Cece’s hands between his own, and looking thoughtful. He pivoted on his knees to face Jennel, holding Cece’s hand in his own left one, before outstretching his right hand toward Jennel.
“Will you please accompany me to this prom that we have just invented… Also?” He asked, barely holding in a laugh. And so Jennel pulled him to his feet and she and Cece dramatically threw their arms around his neck, talking over each other and drowning him in endless sarcastic chatter about dresses and corsages and the acceptable height of dancing heels.
That had been two weeks earlier, and the joke was still making appearances here and there. When Jennel had been on her way to a mentoring session, she ran into Emblem 3 on their way out. Drew had made a show of stopping in the middle of the hallway to kiss the back of Jennel’s hand, before laughing and making off with the Stromburg brothers, calling something over his shoulder about picking her up at 8. Jennel smiled and continued on with her business as normal. Two days later, Drew snuck up behind Jennel backstage during rehearsals and picked her up, carrying her to hair and makeup wedding-style. Several other little flirty gestures all based around the original prom joke later, Jennel began to feel just a bit strange about Drew. He passed Cece as often as he passed Jennel, but he wasn’t throwing himself all over Cece the way he was Jennel. The last straw came when Demi began noticing things.
Drew had intercepted Jennel in the hallway on her way to meet Demi, and carried her into the room, daintily setting her down and leaving with a sarcastic little bow. Jennel blushed, more out of embarrassment that Demi had witnessed the entire thing than because Drew had been carrying her. Demi raised one eyebrow casually.
“You and Drew…?” Demi asked, the question left unsaid ringing clear to Jennel.
“No, not at all.” Jennel pushed out a little too quickly. “We kind of had this inside joke going on, and to be honest, I’m ready for it to be over.”
Demi smiled a small smile, her eyes giving away her amusement. “Maybe he didn’t realize it was a joke.”
Jennel’s eyes widened. “Oh God, I hope he doesn’t think we were being serious. Turning him down is just going to be awkward.”
“He doesn’t look like the kind of guy who accepts rejection very well.” Demi chuckled.
Jennel just nodded her head in agreement, sighing at the situation that she might be faced with. And that was that, and Demi and Jennel dove right into working on Jennel’s vocals, the light cues, and everything else that was incorporated into the performance coming in just a few days.
The following week was busier than Jennel could have ever imagined, and she saw very little of Drew. She wasn’t complaining. That Saturday, X Factor hosted a private little party for the contestants and the judges- a get together big enough to be relaxing and not feel like work, but small enough that they held it in one of the bigger conference rooms of the complex they performed at during the week. Cameras weren’t present, and the contestants were free to socialize as they pleased, rather than being pressured to flit from camera to camera, giving interview after interview. Jennel was engrossed in a conversation with Simon and the girls of Fifth Harmony when she felt an arm snake uncomfortably around her neck.
“Hello darling.” Drew’s sarcastic voice drawled out, too close to her ear.
“I’m sorry, but did I give your contestants permission to flirt with my contestants?” The comment was aimed towards Simon, and Demi’s voice was appearing and breaking through Jennel’s irritation.
“I do believe the contestants are free to do as they wish, regardless of what control you think you have over them.” Simon’s accent did nothing to mask his thick sarcasm.
“Did Jennel not tell you? We’re going to prom together.” Drew spoke too loudly, pulling Jennel into an awkward hug as he addressed Demi. Demi’s eyes flicked down to where Jennel was carefully extracting Drew’s arm from around her shoulders, and she smiled.
“Now what made you think you could take my gorgeous girl to prom?” The words came out past a devious looking smirk, and Demi slipped an arm around Jennel’s waist, turning them both to face Drew straight on. “Maybe she’s not available.”
Jennel tried not to giggle out loud as she watched confusion, realization, then finally discomfort wash over Drew’s face. He tried to play off his loss for words with a quick little comment about ‘not knowing Jennel swung that way’ before he retreated, looking every bit like he’d just been beaten at his own game.
Jennel turned toward Demi, whose arm was still wrapped around her waist, and she was opening her mouth to get out the beginning of a ‘thank you’ when Simon interjected with his usual teasing remarks.
“So now you flirt with the female contestants too? I really do wish you could exercise some self-control, Demi.” The comment brought a light blush to the cheeks of the Fifth Harmony girls, but Demi took it all in stride, never missing a beat.
Demi’s voiced dripped with sarcasm as she replied with, “Upset that I get more women than you do, Mr. Cowell?” This caused Fifth Harmony to break into laughter.
“Get out of here, Brat.” Simon laughed, dismissing Demi with a wave of his hand.
“Of course. Jennel and I have some making out to do in the corner anyway.” Demi shot back as she turned to walk away, forever determined to get the last word in. Unlinking her arm from around Jennel, she grabbed the younger girls hand and pulled her towards an empty space in the crowded room. Jennel was unfazed by Demi’s joking comments, although a small voice in the back of her head compared the situation to her miscommunications with Drew. She pushed the thought out of her head before it could manifest into something logical.
“Thank you for that.” Jennel said, smiling and meaning it.
“No problem. We’ve all had that one guy who just doesn’t quite catch on.” Demi smiled back, before going on her way.
xx
Drew hadn’t gotten the hint that night, but in his defense, Jennel hadn’t expected him to back off simply because Demi (jokingly) asked him to. Before the dinner, Jennel had had no defense when Drew flirted with her, but now, she had Demi. If she was around, Demi would counter Drew’s spontaneous actions with sly comments like, ‘Hey, no touching my girlfriend’ or ‘Oh, is Jennel pretending to play for your team again?’. Jennel had hoped that this bit of resistance might slow Drew down, but he was playing along as though he was having the time of his life. It wasn’t until Demi did something drastic that he started putting two and two together and legitimately backing off.
They were all wandering around backstage during dress rehearsals, and Demi had pulled Jennel to the side, where it was less crowded and they could hold an actual conversation.
“You think you’ve got the second part of the choreography down, right? If you need to change anything, this is your absolute last chance to do it.” When Demi was business, she was all business, and she was almost uncomfortably straightforward.
“No, no, I’ve got it. It’s all good.” Jennel answered confidently.
“Great.” Demi smiled her trademark smile and squeezed Jennel’s hand between both of her own, and was just about to make an exit when she spotted Drew making his way towards Jennel.
Jennel groaned loudly. “I really need to get this over with, once and for all.”
“I got you.” Demi said, winking deviously.
“Hey, Jennel,” Drew began, and Jennel knew something was off when he didn’t add any form of endearment or awkward hand-kissing to his greeting. Completely ignoring Demi’s presence, he started again, “Look, I was wondering if…” he trailed off for a moment, his eyes following Jennel’s hand, which was still locked between Demi’s. Looking like he was going to ignore it and continue on, Demi made her move.
“Um,” she whispered. “We’re kind of busy.”
“No, yeah, I totally get that. It’ll just take a second.” Drew brushed Demi’s comment off with a wave of her hand. Jennel watched Demi’s face turn vaguely amused- nobody dismissed her. Especially not Drew. Demi stepped closer to Jennel, whose back was against a wall. She positioned one of her legs between Jennel’s, pressing their bodies closer than what could be interpreted as ‘friendly’.
One of Demi’s hands fell to Jennel’s waist, while her other palm pressed flat against the wall next to Jennel’s head. She leaned down towards Jennel’s face, giving the illusion that she was going to kiss her, before addressing Drew again.
“I meant,” she began, her eyes stuck to Jennel’s lips. “We’re um,” Demi and Jennel both turned their heads to face Drew, their cheeks touching. “Pretty busy. ” Demi repeated, her eyes narrowing, willing Drew to understand.
He blinked, looking stunned.
“Oh.” He said lamely. Then he turned, confused, and slowly walked away, too in shock to ask questions.
Jennel giggled as Demi pulled back, smiling wide and removing her hand from the wall.
“You’re welcome, rockstar.” Demi’s hand remained on Jennel’s waist, and she squeezed gently, a thumb accidentally slipping beneath Jennel’s shirt just before she turned and left.
A week later, Drew went out of his way to seek out Jennel and apologize for ever encroaching on her relationship with Demi- he swore up and down that he wouldn’t let their secret out, and Jennel was content with letting him believe that he held some top secret piece of knowledge in his thick skull.
Drew no longer bothered her, and this should have meant that the little charade between Jennel and Demi could end. It didn’t. Demi would still spontaneously tangle her fingers with Jennel’s when they were walking next to each other- she still hugged her just a bit longer than what was standard for the average friendly hug. Demi still laughed and called Jennel little pet names, sometimes in front of Drew, but usually not. Nobody thought twice of the little nicknames, except for Jennel. Jennel always played along, always fell into Demi’s hugs and squeezed her hand back when they held hands, but she couldn’t help but question if maybe she should lay off for a while. It’s not that Demi’s teasing made Jennel uncomfortable, it just confused her. They were just friends- of that, Jennel was sure- but something about their relationship held a hint of something else. The biggest shift came one Thursday night, when Jennel and Demi were texting.
Demi (10:32PM): You looked hot tonight ;) But really, you did great. So proud xoxo
Jennel answered quickly with a:
Thanks, hahaha you were looking incredible tonight too ;)
Jennel refused to consciously acknowledge that they were flirting. First of all, she wasn’t into girls. Secondly, if it got to the point where messages couldn’t be explained away by ‘friendship,’ then they were taking their little joke way too far, and putting a lot at risk, as far as X Factor. But Jennel shook her head, because nothing serious enough to risk the show would happen. They might enjoy stretching the line between a joke and reality, but she would know when they were crossing a line, and she’d stop it.
Demi (1:34PM): Aw thank you love 3 What’s up with youuuu?
Jennel smiled at her phone. Demi texted her before and after performances sometimes, wanting to discuss potential changes or give congratulations, but she’d never asked Jennel such a casual question before. It made her feel like one of Demi’s close friends, and her heart fluttered gently in excitement.
Not a whole lot. Just staying up forever and ever for no reason
Demi (1:37PM): Lol Jennel, go to sleep girl!
Jennel considered agreeing, considered just taking Demi’s advice. But she knew all too well that she wouldn’t be sleeping tonight: she was still coming down from the adrenaline rush from performing earlier in the night, and she just couldn’t imagine herself falling asleep anytime soon. She opted to reply to Demi with honesty.
Pshhh what is sleep
Demi (1:38PM): Honestly though
Demi (1:38PM): I don’t sleep either
If I get 5 hours it’s a good night
Demi (1:40PM): Well whatever shall we do to pass the time? ;)
She blinked. Demi probably didn’t realize how… suggestively that could be interpreted. Should Jennel call her out on it? It being late, and Jennel’s judgement being not completely on point, she did.
And just what is that winky face supposed to mean? ;)
Demi (1:43PM): Well generally they hold a sexual connotation
Demi (1:43PM): ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;;;;;;;;))))))))))) ;;)))))
Demi (1:44PM): ;;;)) ;) ;) ;) ;;))
Jennel snorted. Demi was such a child sometimes.
Slut
Demi (1:46PM): Hmm I didn’t hear you complaining when I got Drew off your back
Speaking of which, he vowed to keep ‘our little secret.’ That was risky lol
Demi (1:47): Whatever, it worked ;D
I really thought you were about to kiss me hahaha
Jennel sent it without thinking, then cringed. She wasn’t sure if it was okay to be alluding to the backstage incident from the week earlier. Was it one of those things they could laugh about together, or was it one of those things that they’d both pretend never happened?
Demi (1:46PM): I thought he wasn’t going to catch on! I was about to have to push you up against the wall to make my point
Jennel read the message, and her eyes grew wide. Her stomach did little flips when she reminded herself that this was Demi that she was texting. She read the message again, dropping the phone facedown onto her own stomach, and focusing her eyes on the ceiling above her bunk. Was Demi being serious? She knew that Jennel wasn’t… into girls, right? It took a moment for it to even occur to Jennel that Demi wasn’t into girls either. As far as she knew. Jennel’s fingers tapped out a response quickly and efficiently, the panic inside of her drowning out the butterflies.
Whoa, whaaaaatt
She tried not to sound as surprised as she was, and she was trying to mask how big of a deal it felt like. Demi’s reply was taking forever.
Demi (1:52PM): Kidding Jennel, kidding
Jennel breathed a deep sigh of relief. If she had had to turn Demi down, like that , it would have been excruciatingly awkward. The panic inside her had mostly fled. Jennel was reasoning out the situation in her head and was just quelling the little jolt of electricity that Demi’s words had sent through her when her phone buzzed again. She unlocked it to find two new messages that only contributed to the complications;
Demi (2:20PM): ..or was i?
Demi (2:20PM): ;)