In Real Life (Nemi)

Can't Back Down

I swallowed as I stared at Olivia when she asked me this outrageous question. I laughed, trying not to sound nervous as I sat up, turning my face toward her. I shook my head, whatever I could do to convince her that I was not in love with Nick.

"Oh my God, he's like my brother." I contorted my face in disgust for extra emphasis. "Why would you even ask me that?" I was grateful I was wearing my sunglasses, so she couldn't see into my eyes right now.

Olivia rolled her eyes as she perched her sunglasses on top of her head. "I see all the people on instagram or twitter that post shit about you & Nick, especially when you were touring together. I've seen the pictures they post or the videos & I see how you guys look at each other." Olivia was staring me down, right now, her forehead creased in curiosity.

"Don't get me wrong, Olivia. I love Nick. He's one of my best friends. I love him unconditionally & I will love him forever. So don't mistake that love for me being in love with him. Have you asked him this question about me?" I was curious how he would answer.

Olivia looked away, shaking her head. "No. It wouldn't matter if you weren't in love with him. But I don't think he's in love with you. I've never got that impression while he's making love to me or holding me in his arms." She was smirking, but wouldn't look into my eyes. I wanted to punch her so bad right now. I wasn't backing down now. I was laying it all on the line now. I was letting her know I wasn't going to let her hurt Nick or use him. I got the impression that she was acting as if this was a competition & Nick was the prize, rubbing in my face that he was hers. Olivia looked at me, a tiny smile was on her lips. "I guess I just let those pesky Nemi shippers get to me." She let out a laugh that didn't sit right with me.

I sat up straight, throwing my legs over the side of the lounge chair, to face Olivia, who looked a little startled. "Don't insult them. They are my fans & Nick's fans & they don't necessarily want us to be together romantically, they love our friendship & our bond & probably our musical connection. Do not put down our fans." I was pointing my finger at Olivia, who looked frightened now. "And can I ask you something?" I didn't wait for her to respond. "Are you in love with Nick?"

Olivia flinched as if I smacked her, blinking her eyes repeatedly. Her mouth fell open as she turned to face me, crossing her legs in front of her. "Excuse me? Why in the world would you ask me that? He's my boyfriend. We've been together for a year. Of course I'm in love with him."

I grinned at her, a little sarcastically or sadistically, depending on if you could read my mind or not. "When I see you look at him, I don't see stars in your eyes. I see dollar signs. I think you're more in love with what comes along with being Nick's girlfriend, than you are in love with him. I think he loves you a lot more than you love him." I clicked my tongue & shrugged my shoulders.

Olivia stared at me in disbelief. "Wow. You have some nerve to accuse me of that. I love Nick. He's mine. I'm his. There is nothing you can do about that." This sounded like an challenge. Challenge accepted, bitch.

I had to laugh. "He is my best friend, so let me make this clear. If you ever hurt him, I will make your life a living hell. I won't hesitate to tell Nick what I think of you." I warned her.

Olivia's smirk turned up in an even bigger smile, sending chills down my spine. "Oh, please do. I have Nick wrapped around my finger, sweetie. Trust me when I say, if you try to tell him your lies, you will push him away." Olivia leaned forward a little to speak in a low voice. "I beg you to tell him. I would like nothing more than for him to forget about his friendship with you." Her tone was laced with hatred. So much for classy. She was anything but, right now. I wish, so bad, that Nick could hear her at this moment.