Have I Told You (A Nemi Story)

Beating Heart...

I feel like I'm walking on eggshells.

Waiting for it all to explode in my face.

The awkward tension I'm creating between us is incredibly painful. I'm not doing it on purpose but I'm not comfortable anymore. It's been a torturous week since the incident that took place at my apartment and Nick has not left my side once.

I know I should be happy about this fact but to be honest it scares me a little bit how overprotective he has become since that day. I have yet to speak to Niall because every time he calls or texts, Nick is around. He'll look at my phone, then back up at me and ask in a tense and rigid voice, very unlike him, "Who is it?" and every time I reply, "Nobody important."

I can only imagine what has been going through Niall's head this entire week. And as we're laid tangled in each other's arms, TV blaring in the background of my thoughts, I decide that I have to see Niall today. I don't know why it's taken me this long but I can't stand it any longer. I need clarity and if I can't ask Nick what the hell is going on then Niall is the only other option.

I excuse myself from Nick's presence and head to the bathroom. My heartbeat is racing and my palms are sweaty, I'm pretty sure this is an overreaction after all this is Nick we're talking about but I can't help myself. I don't know why I'm so afraid. I know for a fact Nick would never purposely hurt me, which is why I don't understand where this irrational fear has come from but still I continue to tip toe around him like a child afraid of being caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

I pull out my phone and change Niall's name to Selena on my phone then I send him a quick text telling him to text me in 10 minutes asking to hang out. He immediately replies questioning me as to why I'm asking him to do this, but I text him back telling him that I can't explain right now he just has to do it. Once I'm sure he's not going to reply to my text I wipe my text history and head back into the living room.

I'm immediately engulfed within Nick's strong embrace, we lay down on the couch once again and he pulls me into his chest.

"What took you so long in there?" He asks in what sounds like a nonchalant tone of voice but I can tell the question is loaded.

"Oh you know, feminine problems." I lie.

"Ahh I see, I will question you no further then." He chuckles and I let out a forced laugh.

And that's when my phone vibrates. I look down and pray that Niall followed my instructions; I take the phone in my shaky but gladly not visible hands.

"It's Selena." I say before Nick has the chance to ask.

"Oh." He utters, "What does she want?" His tone is sharp but I can tell he is trying to conceal it.

"She uh, wants to hang out?" I cautiously say, it comes out as a question as though I'm looking for his permission which I'm fully aware I don't need but there is something in his eyes that makes me feel as though I can't even breathe without his approval.

"Right now?" He asks and I nod afraid to speak for fear my voice will give me away.

"That's so out of the blue. Did she say where?" He asks and I immediately panic because I didn't brief Niall for this.

"I.. I'll ask." I stutter.

I type out the message, my heart rate picking up speed with each tap of the keypad. I just pray Niall can think on his feet.

We're silent for the next few minutes as we wait for 'Selena's' reply. Nick places both his hands on my shoulders and stills my fidgeting body.

He looks at me with a puzzled expression. "What's wrong Demss?"