Chapter 8

Jade's POV

"What are you smiling about Thirlwall?" Leigh-Anne said watching me.

"Nothing. It's just that... isn't this hilarious?" I said, then she looked at me confused.

"I mean, I just met her last night. I even asked you who she was during her performance. Now we're a thing?" I laughed.

"Yes, that's true. But they don't know that." she said.

"I don't care about what they do or don't know. This media people are so quick with assumptions." I said matter of factly.

"So... what are you gonna do about this?" she asked.

"Hmmm. I don't know, maybe swim with the current?" I said, still amused by the news.

"I don't think that's a good idea Jade." she said getting a little concerned.

"Why not? I think it's fun. Give the media something to go crazy about." I chuckled.

"But what about Perrie? Do you think she's okay with this?" she asked, still concerned.

Perrie... yeah, she's right. What if Perrie doesn't want this? What if she doesn't want me? I frowned. I think for a moment. I obviously can't confirm the news, but I can't deny it either. Why? Maybe because I like it, I mean just the thought of dating her is exciting for me. It's just... I want to get to know her, I want to be friends with her, or maybe more. I don't know.

"I guess we'll just have to wait for her side to make a move first. Then see what we can do after." I proposed.

"Fair enough." Leigh agreed.

"Okay. So can I go back to sleep now?" I asked her pulling off my famous puppy eyes.

"Fine." she grunted as she rolled her eyes.

"I'm gonna go out to run some errands. See you later Poopey!" she said as she stood up and make her way out.

I sighed and went back to my bedroom. As I flopped down my bed, I took my phone from my bedside table and opened Twitter. I'm still tempted to play with the media for a little bit. So I typed in a tweet, nothing specific, just something to have them thinking.

@JadeThirlwall: Had fun last night! 🙊🙊🙊  

I didn't bother to look at my notifications because I'm still too tired. I locked my phone and returned it back to its previous position. I close my eyes waiting for sleep to take over. Maybe I'll dream about her again...

--

Perrie's POV

We're now at a conference room in the office of my management agency. How we got here was a real struggle. Press people are everywhere, like literally everywhere, I don't even know how I got into the building. I sighed, waiting patiently for the bosses to come. I'm sitting on a chair with Jesy and Paul on either side of me. I'm feeling so nervous right now, my palms are sweating. Man, I'm crapping myself! I don't know what to expect. What are we gonna do about this? Are the bosses mad? Oh my God! Somebody, save me, please!

I was snapped out of my trance when the bosses arrived. They greeted us and sat opposite us. Everyone in serious faces. Jeez! This is so awkward, I try not to make eye contact.  

"So Perrie, you've made quite a news." a middle aged man, Roger I think is his name, teased me.

"This is just a huge misunderstanding and the press, they're just making it a bigger deal! I swear, nothing's going on! Please don't be mad at-" I blabbered but was cut off.

"Calm down, please." a woman, Tulisa cooed at me.

"We're not here to admonish you Perrie." another man said in an calm tone, Thomas. Oh I have a bad feeling on this.

"You're not mad?" I asked nervously, looking at Jesy and Paul.

"No, we're not mad. We're actually elated by what's going on." he snickered.

"What do you mean?" Paul asked beside me.

"Well, as you can see, the people are going crazy and the press are all over you." Thomas said flatly.

"And?" Jesy asked, intrigued.

"Look, we had a downfall on sales after your last 'controversy', and this.. this could boost up your game." he said.

"It's actually a great anchor." Roger butted in.

"Especially that we're planning to release your third album in a few months." Tulisa added.

"What are you trying to say exactly?" Jesy asked, confused like me.

"What we're trying to say is that, this can be a good publicity for you Perrie. You and Jade dating might help you get back on track." Tulisa said. What?!

"But... but we're not dating." I said softly, looking down.

"You're not?" Roger asked, surprised.

"No, we just met. Last night at the after-party." I responded.

"Oh.. that's unfortunate." Tulisa chuckled.

"We can talk to her, make her agree to this." Thomas said.

"Agree to what?" I asked.

"To date you. Or at least pretend that you're dating." he replied. Oh no!

"And what makes you think she'll agree?" Jesy butted in.

"We could at least try and ask her first. Then let's see what we can do after that." Roger answered.

This is fucking unbelievable! They want us to pretend that we're dating? What the hell? Then I zoned out. I didn't bother to listen to them anymore as they instructed Paul our next move. I was just shocked. I sat there looking at nothing, trying to wrap my mind on this. Yes, they were right. It's a good publicity. Jade is a great boost. But will she agree? And if she did, can I do it? I am willing to do anything to get back on track, but this? Am I that desperate? I don't know.

"Pez?" Jesy removed me from my musing.

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"No." I replied, hands on my face.

"Hey, everything's gonna be fine." she cooed me.

"I don't know Jes... this is ridiculous." I said.

"I wish I could do anything.. but I can't think of a better way to handle this either. They have valid points." she said.

"Yes, I get that. I just.. I don't know if I can do it." I whined.

"They passed the ball to Paul now. All we can do is let him do his job and wait." she said calmly. I just nodded.

This is insane, like high level insane. Oh God! I wish this is just a dream, someone please wake me up.

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