Our World

Chapter 8

Perrie's POV:

I wake up with a slight headache and alone in my bed. Strange. I thought Danielle was here with me last night. Was I really that drunk? I definitely let myself go. I needed the break. The image of Danielle in the kitchen in her sexy outfit is still imprinted in my brain, though. Strange. Maybe she had to leave early or something like that.

When I enter the kitchen to grab a glass of water, Danielle is already there, sitting at the counter. That explains a lot. She just woke up earlier. "We need to talk, Perrie." Her usual soft voice sounds stern, which shows me this is going to be a serious conversation.

"What's up?" I take a seat next to Danielle and turn to face her. Even though it sounds serious, I don't want to stress myself out already. "I think we should stop this friends-with-benefits thing, Perrie. This morning, I woke up with your arms around me, while we didn't even have sex last night. I just feel like you're maybe starting to catch feelings for me and.."

"Wait, what!? You think I'm starting to catch feelings? You were asleep in my bed, so I just figured I'd sleep on the other side. I probably snuggled up to you in my sleep, I don't know. What I do know is that I'm not catching feelings for you."

Unbelievable. Danielle is the last person I am catching feelings for. "I'm sorry, Pez, but with everything you told me, I feel like you're getting too attached. I'm ending this, okay? You can't stop me."

Danielle doesn't wait for my answer and starts walking out of the kitchen. "Fine. I don't care because news flash: I'm not falling for you!" I yell after her. "Of course, Perrie. I'm going to take a shower now." I sigh loudly and run my hands through my hair before turning around and finally getting my glass of water.

What a way to start the weekend. I honestly don't care that things ended with Danielle. I liked the fun we had, but I really wasn't that attached. It does suck that I'll have to find another way to release some tension. Danielle made it so easy for me. However, I was kind of scared of her telling Jade everything I told her. Not that I didn't trust her, but I just know she's closer to Jade than she is to me.

Leigh-Anne walks into the kitchen a few minutes after Danielle leaves. "I have the worst hangover ever." She says, rubbing her forehead. "Let me just get a bottle of water and lay on your couch in complete silence for a few hours." I chuckle at how dramatic she's being. Can't say I feel a lot better, though.

"I think you'll live, Leigh."

I see a pile of mail lying at the counter and realize I haven't looked through it all week, so I start scanning the letters. I'm sure there won't be anything important. All I ever get are bills. You could argue that bills are important, but I prefer to think of them as annoying.

There is one letter from the Ministry of Justice that catches my eye right away. My heart is already beating a lot faster than just a few seconds ago. This can either be good news or horrible news. I take a few deep breaths in and out to calm my nerves, but it doesn't help at all.

I carefully rip the envelope open and scan over the words. As I take in what's written, my heart starts pumping even faster. A yelp leaves my lips before my whole world comes crashing down.

Jade's POV:

A scream is the first thing I hear when I wake up. Why do people always need to disturb my beloved sleep? I slowly get out of bed and make my way to the bathroom, only to find it locked. My eyes close as I lean against the door. I'm really fucking tired. On top of that, I might be slightly hungover. Drinking that much wine might not have been a great idea. My head is thumping and I'd prefer going back to sleep, but I probably shouldn't.

With my head pressed against the door, I can hear the shower running clearly, so I decide not to wait and go find some breakfast.

Entering the kitchen, I find Perrie with her hands on the counter all stiffened up. Leigh-Anne is standing next to her, whispering something that I can't quite understand. Confusion fills my brain at the sight in front of me.

"What's happening here?" My voice clearly shocks Leigh as she jumps up slightly. "I don't know, Jade. One moment she was fine and chatting with me, suddenly she screams and doesn't respond to anything I'm trying to say to her."

Perrie is still in the same position staring down at the counter. I move to stand on the other side of her and rub circles on her lower back, but she only stiffens up more, so I quickly remove my hand. "Pez, look at me." Nothing. "Babe, what's wrong?" Nothing. I have no idea what to do to help the blonde. It doesn't even look like she's on the same planet as I am.

I look at Leigh-Anne helplessly. She's already looking at me in the same way. I have never seen Perrie like this and it scares the crap out of me. What the hell is going on?

"Hey, guys, you up to go to the mall today?" Danielle stops dead in her tracks when she takes in the scene in front of her. "What's with blondie?"

"We don't know. She suddenly stopped everything she was doing and hasn't reacted to anything." Leigh-Anne's voice clearly shows how scared she is. She and Perrie have gone through a lot together these past few months. They got very close due to all the partying together.

Danielle slowly walks over to us and tries to follow Perrie's eyes. "Pez, babe, can you move your hand so I can see what you were reading?" Danielle's soft tone with Perrie surprises me. They only know each other through me, and I've never heard the brunette address the blonde as 'Pez'.

But what happens next surprises me even more. Perrie slowly moves her hand from the letter in front of her. Danielle carefully takes it into her hands and starts reading. My eyes are fixed on Danielle's face and shock is written all over it.

Perrie slowly looks up and finds Danielle's eyes. "He's out." Her voice sounds shaky as if she is going to break down at any moment.

Leigh and I look at each other confused. What the hell are they talking about? Danielle quickly grabs Perrie's shoulders and brings her close to her body for a hug. It simultaneously looks like the tightest and softest hug. It looks like Dani is afraid of breaking Perrie but still wants to comfort her. As much as this confuses me, it warms my heart to see my best friends care for each other.

A few moments later, after my shock of how close my two best friends suddenly seem has died down a little, I finally find my voice again.

"Who is out?" I ask carefully

Danielle is giving me a weird look as if I'm dumb or something. How am I supposed to understand what they are talking about if they aren't even really talking about it? These vague sentences and glances are not helping me figure anything out.

"Who do you think, Jade? Her rapist. They dropped all his charges." My eyes go wide after those words and I hear Leigh-Anne gasp loudly.

Perrie quickly moves out of Dani's embrace, a shocked look written all over her face. Her eyes are almost popping out of their sockets by how stunned she looks. "What?" Danielle looks confused at Perrie, who just shakes her head slightly. When Danielle's eyes meet mine again, she looks between me, Leigh and Perrie a few times.

"Oh, no, they didn't know?"