**Chapter 6: Confronting Demi**
Emily's heels clicked against the pavement as she hurried home, her pulse still unsteady from the night's events. The cool night air did little to soothe the heat of embarrassment creeping up her neck. Of all the things that could have happened on her first real evening with Ryan, the first thing had to be a switch.
Her body had betrayed her. Again.
Slamming the door behind her, she exhaled sharply, pressing her back against the wood. She squeezed her eyes shut, focusing inward. The sensation was familiar, like falling backward into water, weightless yet sinking into the depths of her own mind.
Darkness gave way to a soft, moonlit space—her headspace, the internal world where the others existed. And there, sitting with crossed legs on the floor, waiting as if she knew Emily was coming, was Demi.
The alter looked up, amusement dancing in her eyes. "You're mad."
Emily scowled. "Of course, I'm mad! You switched out in front of Ryan! Do you know how humiliating that was?"
Demi tilted her head, unconcerned. "You were overwhelmed. I stepped in."
Emily clenched her fists. "I didn't need you to step in. I had it under control."
Demi gave her a knowing look, one that made Emily's stomach twist. "Did you?"
Silence stretched between them. The truth was bitter, but Demi wasn't wrong. The night had unraveled her more than she wanted to admit. Still, Ryan didn't need to know about her disorder, not like this.
Taking a slow breath, Emily shook her head. "I just… I wanted one night to be normal."
Demi sighed, softer this time. "You don't get to pick when this happens, Em. You know that."
Emily looked away, frustration simmering beneath her skin. She did know. She had always known. But it didn't make it any easier.
After a long pause, Demi stood, brushing imaginary dust from her dress. "He's not stupid, you know. He noticed."
Emily's heart clenched. She wanted to deny it, to pretend Ryan had simply accepted her excuse and moved on. But the way he had looked at her—the quiet intensity in his gaze—she knew.
"What if he doesn't care?" Demi asked, watching her carefully.
Emily swallowed hard. "Then that might be even worse."
Demi smirked. "Then you've got bigger problems than me, sweetheart."
The headspace wavered as Emily's consciousness pulled her back to reality. She opened her eyes, still pressed against her front door, her breath shaky.
Ryan had noticed.
And for some reason, that terrified her more than anything.