Chapter 22

Perrie's POV

I woke up with a beautiful brunette curled up in my arms. Funny to think that the last time we were like this, it's the other way around. Now, I'm the one holding her. And I must admit, I like waking up with her. Her warm body that calms me, her soft skin that touches mine, the soft snores that lulls me back to sleep. I can get used to this. But as much as I want to stay here with her close to me, I have to get up, see if Jesy or Leigh are awake already, and clean up the mess we made in the living room. So I slowly untangled myself from her, not wanting to wake her. When I got up, I pulled the covers over her petite body so she won't feel cold. I smiled as I glance down at her, then went to the bathroom to do my morning rituals.

I went to the kitchen to make some tea, no one's here so I guess the two idiots are still asleep. After I made my tea, I went to the living room, the blanket fort was still here. I found a note in the coffee table, I picked it up and read. It's from Jesy and Leigh saying they have to go to do some errands. So basically, those two idiots left us without saying goodbye, not even cleaning this mess that we made last night. They really are true friends! I put down my tea and started cleaning. I hummed some tunes while I folded the blankets. When I was halfway through, I saw Jade approaching towards me, looking so cute in her just-woke-up hair.

"Hey." she said as she yawned.

"Good morning." I greeted and smiled at her.

"Why didn't you wake me? I could've helped you clean up." she frowned.

"Well, I didn't want to disturb you in your peaceful sleep. And besides, this was not that difficult." I explained.

"Have you eaten breakfast yet?" she asked.

"Just tea. Are you hungry? I'll make you some." I said, putting the blankets down the couch and started walking to the kitchen.

"No! No, it's okay." she stopped me. "Actually, I was thinking maybe we can go out for breakfast. I know a cafe, they make really good omelettes." she suggested and smiled expectantly.

"I'd like that." I grinned at her.

"Okay then, I'll just get changed." she said and turned to walk back to the room.

When I finished cleaning up, my door bell rang. I immediately went to the door, thinking it was either Jesy or Leigh. But when I opened the door, my eyes widen in surprise.

"Mom! Wha- What are you doing here?" I almost yelled.

"Good morning to you too, sweetie!" she smiled at me, although there's a hint of dismay in her eyes.

"Good morning. I'm sorry, I just..." I was still in shocked. She at least should've called.

"Would you rather I'd call first and not give my daughter a surprise visit?" she questioned me. I just looked at her confused.

"Well, aren't you gonna let me in?" she said as she raised an eyebrow at me, glancing inside. Oh thank God I just finished cleaning.

"Oh yeah, of course. Please, come in!" I opened the door wide and stepped aside to let her in. I hugged her after I closed the door behind us. God! I missed her though.

"So, what are you doing here?" I asked sweetly, hoping she won't think I don't want her here.

"I was visiting a friend, and it's near from here. So I thought I just drop by to see you. Maybe we could have lunch or something. That is, if you're free." she explained.

"I-I uhm.. actually-" I was cut off.

"Perrie! Have you seen my shoes?" Jade yelled, and came out of the room.

"I can't find them in there, maybe you've seen them while you were clea- Ohh.." she stopped halfway towards me. She was looking at my mom, and mom was looking at her. Oh man, this is awkward!

"Mom, this is Jade. Jade, this is my mom." I introduced them. Why do I feel so embarrassed right now?

"Oh! Hi. It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Edwards." Jade said, offering a hand.

"Oh please, call me Debbie. And it's nice to meet you too Jade." she shook Jade's hand, and then turned to me.

"So this means, the rumors are true. Perrie, we have a lot of catching up to do." she's smirking at me and I can feel my face turning into a tomato.

"Yeah, sure Mom." was all I can say.

"Anyway, I think I better get going." mom said after a few seconds of awkward silence. 

"But Mrs. Edwa- Debbie, you just came. I'm know you wanted to spend time with your daughter." Jade butted in.

"Oh, it's fine." she waved at Jade. "I'm pretty sure you two have plans. Perrie and I will just catch up when she's free. Right, sweetheart?" my mom asked.

"Yes, of course Mom. And please call, will yah?" I said, smiling like a two year old at her.

"Okay, okay. Fine." she raised her hands in defeat and started to walk to the door.

"I'll call you honey. And again, nice to meet you Jade. You two have a great day!" mom said as she hugged me and then went out.

"Well, that was awkward." I said as I turn to Jade after closing the door.

"It was alright. Your mom seems a very cool person." Jade complimented.

"Yeah, she is." I smiled at her. Oh my God! My mom just met Jade and she thinks we're together! 

"Anyway, I'm starving. Can we go to the cafe now?" Jade asked.

"Yeah, let me just change into something not onesie. Be right back!" I said and run to my bedroom.

~~~

We we're now on our way back to my flat. The omelettes were really amazing, like Jade promised. I'll definitely go back to that cafe. Jade insisted on paying this time, since I paid for our food last night. And you can't argue with Jade Thirlwall! We were lucky we didn't get swamped by paparazzi, though some took lots of photos. Some fans did asked for pictures, and we gladly accepted. I glanced at Jade who was quiet, focused on the road. I need to ask her something.

"Jade?" I said hesitantly.

"Yeah?" she looked at me as if I snapped her out of her own thoughts.

"Uhm, about earlier. You meeting my mom..."

"What about it?" she asked.

"I don't know. I just.. I'm sorry for acting like a dumbass. I wasn't sure how I would introduce you." I said, looking down at my fingers.

"It's okay Perrie, I think it went fine." she cooed at me.

"I know, but Paul told us not to tell even our family. I just.. I don't know how I'm supposed to keep the truth from them." I sighed.

"You can tell them if you want Perrie. If it makes you feel better. Just make sure they'll still keep it as a secret." she said.

"You think? You're fine with that?" I looked at her in joy.

"Yeah, why not? They are your family after all." she smiled at me genuinely.

"How about you Jade? Aren't you gonna tell your family?" I questioned her. She stiffen and went silent for a while. What did I do?

"Jade?" I asked, getting worried.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. It's just... they wouldn't care." she said flatly. What? What's wrong?

"What do you mean?"

"It's a long story." she snickered.

"I've got time." I said. I wanted to know what's wrong, Jade.

"Fine. Where to start? Uhm.." she sighed, looking out the window. She seemed to be thinking what to tell me.

"It's fine Jade, you don't have to tell me everythi-"

"My real parents died when I was four..." Woah! Wait a minute.. I didn't know that.

"In a car accident. I stayed in an orphanage for two years, until this family, the Thirlwalls, adopted me. My mom, dad, and my brother, they accepted me. They treated me like their own, and I'm truly grateful." I nodded for her to continue.

"When I was younger, I got really confused about my sexuality. And when I finally got the courage, I came out to them. My parents wasn't happy about the news, they thought it was just the influence of my friends. I tried to explain it to them, but they just wouldn't accept it. The only one who did accept me was my brother. He did everything to help me convince my parents, but it didn't work as well. He was always there for me, he supported me all through out. He never judged me, he even helped me accept myself. He was my rock during those times." she paused, and took a deep breath, eyes focused in front.

"Until one day, he was shot trying to stop a robbery. He died on the spot. Imagine my pain when I found out about what happened, I was devastated. He was a good man." she continued. I can see her hand gripping the steering wheel, her knuckles white.

"So yeah, I'm basically not in good terms with my parents, and my brother's gone.. There's no one in my family that needs to know the truth about us." she said matter-of-factly.

"Jade... I'm so sorry." tears welling up my eyes.

"It's okay. I've learned to live with it." she said as she stopped on the red light.

"I should not have asked." I feel so ashamed right now. She didn't have to relive all those things for me. Now I can't stop the tears from falling.

"Hey, please don't cry. I said it's alright." she raised her hand to cup my face and wipe the tears. I can see the pain in her eyes. Although I'm not sure whether it's from reliving her story or from seeing me cry.

"But..." I tried to protest.

"I don't normally tell that story to anyone. But it's you, and I thought you should know." she smiled weakly at me, and I forced a smile back at her.

The light turned green and she went back to driving. And then we stayed silent. I don't know what to say. It's a lot for me to process. I didn't know Jade have went through all of those horrible things. She lost her real parents, her adoptive parents won't accept her, and her brother was gone. Things that were too personal, the media don't even know. Who would have guess that behind all the fame, money and success, there's a broken, incomplete, and sad woman. I admire her for being so brave and how she continued her life after all those things she experienced. And that makes her the most beautiful person I know.

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Well well, isn't this chapter an eventful one? Jade met Perrie's mom. And a little of Jade's background story. I'm sorry, that may be triggering, but I have to put it there. Please forgive me.😇 Anyway, how was it? Please leave a comment, and vote if you liked this chapter. Thanks a lot babes!💋💋💋

Btw, there's a huge jerrie moment next chapter, so watch out for that.😎 But, can you guess what that is? 😈🙊

- R xx