Nick
My phone buzzes. As I read the name on my phone and smile. Demi.
“I’m in love with you. This is so hard knowing you’re like this. You probably don’t feel the same way as I do, Nick. You’re probably wondering, ‘how can a girl like her love a guy like me?’ I honestly ask this question to myself every passing day. How can I love you? And guess what? I don’t care if you feel the same way about me. If you aren’t in love with me, I’m fine with that. But if you are, then I’m glad. But I’m with Selena and Maya tonight. Come over if you really want to. They do know about you and your criminal record, though. And like me, they aren’t all for that, but still love you as a friend. All three of us still support you, since you are our friend. I mean how can we not? I’m sorry I let us drift apart. I could’ve helped you not be like this. And maybe we would be closer than ever. But after realizing that you’d probably not change, I’d have to deal with it. You’re a bad boy and I’m a good girl. So, goodnight if you don’t want to come over.”
My eyes go wide. Did she really just say she’s in love with me? Since when? I shake my head smiling. I do feel the same way about her, and the fact she had the guts to say it, is amazing. I grab a few things and march over to her apartment and knock. I bite my lip as I wait to be allowed in.
“Who’s at the door?” Maya asks. “We didn’t order anything.”
“It’s Nick, guys, chill.” Demi says. “I texted him if he wanted to come over, he can.”
“But I thought we’d just catch up with everything? I mean, we are best friends, Dem,” Selena says, sharply. Maybe I made a bad choice in coming.
“He’s just as much my friend as he is yours and Maya’s. Why is it so hard to accept the fact he’s still our best friend?!” Demi’s voice shakes. I bite my lip again, but harder.
The room goes silent. I should just go back to my apartment, I should. As I turn on my heel to walk back to my apartment, the door opens. I look over to see Demi, with tears in her eyes.
“I’m sorry I even invited you. I guess they just see badly in you, when they shouldn’t. They know you, and they should know you’re just the same Nick,” she shakes her head. “What am I saying? I guess it’s just that since I’m, you know, I still see some good in you.”
I pull her into a tight hug. My heart flutters. She smells so good.
“Dem, listen to me,” as she lifts her head to make eye contact with me, I feel my heart in my throat. “I’m in love with you. I always have been. When you were off with your boyfriends in school, it made me feel like crap. Knowing I could possibly never get to be with the girl I love. And that’s the reason why I got into being a criminal. And seeing you with Wilmer honestly hurt me. I’m happy you guys broke up. He wasn’t right for you. I remember the day you broke up with him. You told me he wanted to take the next step in your relationship, and you weren’t ready. You told him repeatedly that you were too young to marry, and still had so much to do before you settled down to get married.” I let out a sigh. “The fact he started yelling at you and calling you names, literally broke my heart. If he really loved you like he said he did, then he wouldn’t have done that. You told me these things like you forgot I was a criminal and we were still in high school. You shouldn’t be afraid of me. I’m still the same guy. I just got mixed with the wrong crowd after graduating.” Did I really just say that? What was I thinking? Am I insane?
As these thoughts ran through my mind, I felt her lips come to mine. I don’t care that Selena and Maya had gasped in shock.
“Dem,” Selena starts. “Is this why you invited him over?”
“No,” she’s more than angry now. “I asked him if he wanted to come over. I thought if he did, it would be more like old times. I honestly thought you two would enjoy seeing him again. Even if he’s a criminal. He’s still our friend. Are your heads too far up your asses that you forgot he’s still our friend?! Like honestly. I thought you guys were different.” She scoffed at them.
“We didn’t forget he’s still our friend,” Maya says. “It’s just; it is just the fact what he’s done. We heard so much of what he’s done, we just don’t feel safe around him.”
“Oh, don’t start with that bullshit, Maya,” I say. “I bet more than half of the things you heard were lies!”
I storm off back to my apartment, trying to find my key in my pocket. I hear footsteps. I keep looking. Someone touches my arm. I don’t look over but shake the hand off. “Nick,” the voice says. Selena. I look over annoyed.
“We’re sorry,” she pauses. “It’s just a shock. Demi told us you were getting help for this. And you’re right. More than half of the things were lies. I knew that you wouldn’t do these things, but I was skeptical. And I don’t know about what Maya thinks or believes with them. But you still are our best friends. And it’s not every day we see our two best friends kiss.” She bites my lip. That lip bite pisses me off so much.
“No, you aren’t forgiven, Selena,” I scoff. “I can’t believe you two would even listen to those rumors. Fuck what Maya thinks. Fuck what you think. I’m madly in love with Demi. And if you guys really believe those rumors or not, and are ‘too surprised’ that me and her kissed, then don’t even. You don’t even deserve to be our friends if you honestly think like that.” I find my keys and go in slamming the door in her face.
I grab my phone and text Demi. “Hey, I’m sorry. I hope you don’t mind. But it does seem like some of my bad boy rubbed off on you, just by seeing how you replied to them. I told Selena off though. Told her that if she and Maya honestly think that way, they don’t deserve to be our friends. I hope I can see you tomorrow, though.”
I throw my phone on the table and get in the shower. I throw what just happened in the back in my mind. I don’t give a shit anymore. All I want is to be with Demi. I don’t care if the help I’m getting will work or not. As long as I’m with Demi, I’m happy. After I get out, I hear my phone buzz and a knock at my door. I look at my phone to see Demi replied. “It’s fine. I talked to the both of them and will be coming over. Just be ready, Jonas.” I find shorts and throw them on, not worrying about putting my boxer briefs on or a shirt. I answer the door, a little annoyed.
“We really are sorry, Nick” Maya says. Obviously talking about herself and Selena. I roll my eyes, not making it obvious.
“Just come in, and sit down,” I point to the couch. I stop Demi as she comes in and pull her to the side.
“Thank you,” I tell her. “Thank you for talking to them.”
“Anything for you Jonas,” she smirks. God, that got me going crazy. “And one thing, Nick.” She adverts her eyes to Selena and Maya who are looking through the TV Channels.
“What is it?”
“Are we dating now, or what?”
“No,” I say. “But I would like to be.”
“Oh, really?” I nod.
“So,” I clear my throat. “Demi, will you be mine, my partner in crime?” I let out a small smile.
“Yes, Nicholas,” she cocks her head to the side. “Yes, I will be yours, and your partner in crime.” She let out a small laugh. Her laugh, it is so cute and I love it. I love everything about it.
We make our way over to Selena and Maya, who finally have found a channel. “So, you guys are going to stay here for the whole night, or are you guys going back to Demi’s soon?” I ask. They just nod, not listening to a word I had said. “I think we’re going back to my place,” Demi says, with a small smile. I nod at her, and kiss her forehead.
