Chapter 55

A/N: I decided to update a day earlier because you guys are so IMPATIENT lol

Please note the whole chapter is in third-person POV and it's more Jade-centered

21st September, 2004

The bell rang signaled the end for her last lesson and Jade couldn't wait to leave the school as quick as she could. She sighed in relief when her foot stepped outside the building, feeling at ease the horrible day finally came to an end. It's not like Jade doesn't like school. In fact, she loves it. She is inquisitive and eager to learn. That's why she loves reading so much, she always find something she doesn't know and the new knowledge excited her. Jade knew she is a nerd, but she doesn't mind because she does love to learn and read. But the students in school, not so much. Jade was bullied. Really Bad.

Jade didn't know anyone when she got into secondary school, all her friends went to different schools. She got picked on by the popular gang nearly everyday and they would push her around and told her she was ugly. There's one time a girl cornered her in the bathroom, shouting horrible words and threw bleach powder at her. The girl asked her mates to hold Jade down and drew a bindi on Jade's forehead, pointing and laughing at her. It's horrendous. She had never experienced racism or prejudice before and she couldn't understand why people could be so mean. She was just 11 years old.

Today is no difference. The same gang picked on her during lunch period again and this time the leader poured cold water on her, leaving her squirming and shaking in her soaking uniform. Jade spent the whole period drying her uniform using the hand dryer in bathroom, receiving weird and disgusting glances from others, but she had no choice. She managed to dry the uniform enough so she could barely bear the cold for the remaining lessons. It's only Monday, meaning Jade had to go through four more days of hell until weekend.

Once she got out of the school, she walked into the bathroom in the nearby mall to get changed. It's not the first time she got poured in water, so she always carries another set of outfits to change to in case it happens again, unfortunately today is one of those day. Jade told her mam it was rain that soaked her uniform the first time, but she couldn't use the same excuse this time because it is sunny today, she had to come up with another excuse to cover up why she changed into some casual clothes when she go home.

She smiled once she pulled out the purple Princess Jasmine T-shirt from her bag. She loves it so much because purple is her favorite color and Princess Jasmine is her favorite Disney character. She put on the shirt and a pair of blue jeans, feeling refreshing as she finally had some dry clothes on. She left the mall and was going to head home, but then she realized, she couldn't, yet. Her lunch box was still full and she couldn't let her mam know she hasn't eaten.

So she went to a park near the mall instead. She sat down on a bench and pulled out her lunch box, which was packed with sandwiches her mam prepared for her this morning. Jade was hungry, she hasn't eaten anything in school because she spent all the time drying her uniform, but she doesn't feel like eating right now. You are ugly. The terrible words kept repeating in Jade's head. Putting on any more weight definitely doesn't help at all. Her negative thought stopped her from taking the sandwiches out of the box and put them into her mouth. She thought of throwing the food away then her mam wouldn't know she hadn't eaten at all, but she couldn't because she knew her mam woke up early just to prepare these sandwiches for her and it would be very ungrateful to do that. So Jade just stared at her food, didn't know what to do.

"Why don't you eat? They look delicious to me"

A sweet voice caught Jade's attention and she turned her head to the side and saw a blonde girl around her age sitting on the bench next to her, she seems so happy and bubbly unlike Jade. The flower crown on her head caught Jade's attention as it looked like a halo on an angel, and Jade wished she is one that flies down to save her

Jade couldn't help but noticed those blue eyes had been staring at the sandwiches placed on her lap, her tongue licking the bottom lip like she couldn't wait to have a taste on them. Jade almost giggled at how eager the girl looked, and she wished she had the appetite just like her.

"Here you go" Jade grabbed a sandwich and gave it to the girl. The girl looked up and studied Jade's face for seconds, then hesitantly took the sandwich from her.

"Thank you"

The blonde grinned at Jade. It amazed Jade how only a sandwich could bring such a huge smile on the girl's face. It was so bright and infectious Jade could feel her lips curved up at the sight, which didn't happen for a long time since she was bullied.

"You can eat them all if you want" Jade smiled and handed her the lunchbox. The blonde was about to put the sandwich into her mouth, but stopped when she heard Jade's words.

"What about you? These are for you right?" The blonde frowned

"I..I am not hungry" But her body made a protest as her stomach immediately let out a loud rumble. A blush creeped up on Jade's face when she knew she had been caught.

"You don't like sandwiches?"

Her voice didn't sound angry at all, which relaxed the brunette a bit. The first thing that came into Jade's mind was to admit it so the blonde would eat all the sandwiches without questioning her anymore, but looking into the blonde's genuine blue eyes, she didn't want to lie to her again.

"N-No...it's just...I don't really have the appetite" Jade sighed

"Why?" The blonde now rested her free hand on her lap, the sandwich in her other hand didn't have her attention anymore, all her focus now is on Jade, as she gazed at her in concern.

Jade had never told anyone she was bullied in school, not her friends in her old school, not her teachers, not her mam, not a single soul. She didn't want anyone to get worried. But somehow, at this exact moment, she wanted to tell the blonde, she wanted to pour her heart out and told her the bullying was getting to her and breaking her, that she doesn't understand why people had to be so cruel and why she deserved all of this, that she didn't want to eat because it would make her uglier, that she felt like everything in her life was out of control and maybe eating was the only thing she could have control of.

She didn't realize she was sobbing until a pale hand wiped the tears off her face, so gently and tenderly. The blonde put the sandwich back into the lunchbox and placed the box on the space besides her. She pulled Jade into a hug, and felt the brunette started shaking and breaking down in her arms. This was the first time Jade broke down since the bullying started. She tried her hardest to hold up and be strong in school, and would act like nothing bad had happened when she came home, but it didn't mean she wasn't hurt. She was. Very much. She was so broken inside but no one knows. The blonde held Jade tightly in her arm and softly rubbing her back, even though she had absolutely no idea what happened to the brunette, her heart clenched in pain and somehow she felt the need to protect the brunette even she barely knew her. Jade felt her heart warming to how caring the blonde was, who is just a stranger she met minutes ago, but she treated her way better than anyone else.

Jade slowly calmed down in the her comforting and warm embrace, she pulled away and gave the blonde a grateful smile. The blonde smiled back and wiped the tears off the brunette's face.

"I am sorry"

Jade apologized, feeling kinda disrespectful and embarrassed to cry on a stranger's shoulder. The blonde shook her head frantically letting Jade know it was okay, she placed her hand on top of Jade's, feeling the brunette's hand shivered at her touch but didn't pull away. Jade was definitely startled at her action, but she didn't mind the blonde doing that. In fact she likes it, she found the gesture comforting and calm.

"What's wrong? If you don't mind telling me"

The blonde tilted her head. Her tone was not pushing or forcing, more like encouraging. It didn't feel like she wanted to know just because she was curious, it's more like she knew Jade would feel better if she talked it out. So, Jade told her.

The blonde's expression changed while Jade was telling her how the gang bullied her in school, shock, sad, distress, anger...all written over her face, and her hand grasped at the brunette's so hard like she was the one going through the pain. Jade turned her hand over and held the blonde's hand gently, rubbing small circles on her knuckles to calm her down. It's funny how their roles had now reversed and it amazed Jade how caring and compassionate the blonde was.

When Jade finally told her why she didn't want to eat the sandwich earlier, the blonde gasped. She couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe the beautiful brunette in front of her was being called ugly, and it was the reason why she refused to eat...she had to change that.

"You are beautiful!"

The blonde burst out, her eyes widened as she realized she just said it out loud so bluntly. Jade paused and her eyes were as wide as the blue-eyes girl because she too couldn't believe what she had just heard, she felt her face started heating up. No one had ever said that to her except her parents. That's when Jade started paying attention to the blonde's facial features, her long upturned lashes, her ocean blue eyes, her small delicate nose, her pink heart-shaped lips...there are some freckles on her porcelain skin but it didn't take away any of her beauty. The word 'beautiful' should be used on you, not me. Jade thought

"Thank you. You are beautiful too." Jade replied shyly.

The blonde blushed at the comment. The two girls didn't know what to say next so they just staring at each other with flushed cheeks. But a rumble sound soon interrupt the comforting silence, and Jade's cheek turned into a darker shade of red. The blonde turned around and picked up the lunch box, she placed it on her lap and took a sandwich, handed it to Jade.

"Eat it. You must be hungry" Jade's gaze switched from the girl's face to the sandwich, staring at it for minute, hesitant to move her hand

"You won't be any less beautiful if you eat it. Trust me." Sensing the brunette's mind still clouding up with the untrue harsh words, the blonde knew she had to say something to clear her hesitation. And her words were just what Jade needed.

"Only if you eat the other one" Jade muttered bashfully, still not used to getting compliments, especially not from a pretty girl.

"Deal!"

The blonde grinned when Jade took the sandwich from her. Even though she wanted the brunette to eat all of them because she knew she was probably starving, but she also knew it was considered as a victory when the brunette agreed to eat. The blonde took the remaining sandwich from the box and looked at Jade, they glanced at each other and synchronously put the sandwiches in their mouths, taking the first bite.

"Mmmm so good!" Jade giggled when the blonde moaned at the taste.

"It's just a sandwich you know"

Jade shrugged and nibbled, she raised an eyebrow and inspected carefully at the sandwich in her hand. She was sure it's still the same sandwich her mam made for her everyday, but somehow it did taste better this time. Maybe it's because of the blonde sitting next to her.

"A DELICIOUS sandwich" The blonde corrected her sternly, making Jade burst out into laughter at how serious the blonde was, then they both were laughing uncontrollably.

The blonde was the first to regain her posture and she stared at the brunette next to her, finding it hard to take her eyes off her. A huge smile appeared on her face when she looked at the brunette clutching at her stomach laughing at her stupid words, her heart leaped with joy knowing she was the reason making the broken brunette laughed. The blonde found herself loving the sight in front of her and she wanted to see it more and more. Noticed the blonde had become quiet, Jade composed herself and stared back at the blue-eyes girl, mirroring the smile on her face.

"You look just like her" The blonde breathed out

"Who?" Jade tilted her head

"Princess Jasmine"

The blonde beamed and pointed at the brunette's T-shirt. The fact is, the blonde spotted the similarity the first time she laid eyes on Jade, but still, there was one major difference. Their facial expression. But now this huge smile spread across the brunette's face made her looked exactly like the happy Princess Jasmine on her shirt.

"You are joking"

Jade mumbled quietly and her face was burning up, again. Never had anyone made her blushed so many times like the blonde did. Never had anyone compliment her so much like the blonde did. Never had Jade felt her heart beating so fast like the blonde made her. Never had she thought all these were caused by some words spoken by a girl she barely knew.

"No. I meant it"

Jade was about to protest but she found herself getting lost in the blonde's crystal clear sapphire eyes, unable to speak. What startled her the most was she did see sincerity in her eyes. The two looked straightly into each other's eyes and everything else seemed fading out, it was like they were in their own world.

"So...um...you like Disney?"

The blonde was first to break the silence after minutes of eye-locking. She reluctantly teared her gaze away as she thought it might be rude to stare at the brunette for so long. She took another bite on the sandwich, decided to lock her gaze at it like it was the most interesting thing.

"I LOVE Disney" The blonde's head shot up when she heard the excitement in the brunette's voice

"I AM OBSESSED WITH DISNEY!" The blonde exclaimed which lit up Jade's face.

They started talking about their new found interest, full of passion and enthusiasm, no one would have guessed they just met each other moments ago. The blonde smiled when she saw Jade finished her sandwich while still rambling about Disney. She noticed Jade didn't look like the shy depressed brunette she first saw anymore, she seems joyful and expressive now and the blonde was glad that she was able to shift the brunette's focus away from the negatives, even if was just temporary

"Ah I didn't realize it is this late already! My mam must be so worried!" Jade gasped when she looked at her watch

The blonde's face dropped when she knew the brunette had to go. There is no doubt in her mind that she wanted to see her again. She wanted to remind the brunette she is beautiful every time she was being told ugly, which was absolutely bullshit to her as the blue-eyes girl thought the brunette is the most beautiful girl she had ever seen. The blonde handed Jade back her lunchbox but didn't let go when Jade took it, she looked at the blonde confusedly.

"Promise me you will eat your lunch everyday" Jade looked into the pleading blue eyes and she knew there was no way she could say no.

"I promise. But honestly two sandwiches are too much for me..." The brunette said intentionally, hoping the blonde could get the hints, that she wanted to see her and share the sandwiches with her again.

"You can save one for me if you want" The blonde grinned, clearly took the hint. Jade beamed and nodded, happy to know the blonde would love to meet up again.

"I would like to share too. Are biscuits alright with you?"

"My favorite!" The brunette shrieked excitedly

"Perfect! Same time same place tomorrow?" The blonde asked hopefully

"Sure" Jade smiled

Jade put the lunchbox back in her backpack and got up, the blonde followed but none of them wanna say their goodbyes. They held each other's gaze for a while and as much as Jade hated to leave the blonde, she had to as she knew her mam must be worried sick. But she didn't want to just leave, she wanted the blonde to know that she was delighted and grateful to meet her, turning her shit day into something great. So she closed the gap and pulled her into a hug.

"Thank you. You made my day so much better" The brunette whispered into her ear. The blonde smiled and wrapped the brunette tightly in her arms. She hoped the brunette wouldn't notice the sound of her heart pounding because of her words and their intimacy.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Princess"

It felt so right to say it as the blonde thought she looked just like Princess Jasmine, she hoped the brunette wouldn't mind the nickname she gave her. Only if she could see the flushed cheek and the big smile on the brunette's face, she would know she didn't hate the nickname at all. Jade reluctantly pulled away and flashed her a bright smile, which the blonde returned immediately.

"See you tomorrow my angel"

Jade gave the blonde a quick peck on the cheek, the blonde was stiff for seconds as the sudden action and sweet nickname definitely took her by surprise. When the blonde finally realized what Jade did, she hastily turned around and could only see the back of the brunette getting smaller and smaller, and eventually disappeared.

"S-See..you...tomorrow..." She mumbled, raising a hand to her burning cheek the soft lips pressed on moment ago, a big goofy smile creeping up on her face

That day was the first time Jade had a genuine smile on her face ever since she got bullied

That day was the first time Jade was truly happy, a feeling she had long forgotten

That day was the first time Jade met the one that holds the key to her heart

That day was the first time Jade Thirlwall met Perrie Edwards

It might look like the perfect first encounter that would blossom into an unwavering friendship and something more, or the beautiful beginning of an amazing love story...

But it isn't.

A/N: To be continued:)

Okay I knew you probably want to kill me again leaving it ends like that but hey you should know I love watching you guys hanging on the cliff (lol) and keep you thinking how the story would go. I am sorry you have to go through this over and over again but it's fun isn't it;) (At least think it is lol)

Q: What is going to happen? (Gosh I am scared...wait no I am not. You are:D)