Jerrie Oneshot Book

Why Can't I Say That I'm in Love?

Summary: Perrie and Jade have been dating for almost two years, but Perrie has been adamant to keep their relationship a secret.

Perrie drives through the dark, empty streets, trying hard not to let her vision blur over with incoming tears.

She exhales shakily and presses down on the brakes as she nears a stop sign. The car comes to a stop. Perrie takes the moment to close her eyes, to gather her thoughts and go over what had just transpired a mere minute ago.

But when she closes her eyes, the only image she can see is the image of Jade's face, fresh tears running down her cheeks and heartbreak etched all over her beautiful features.

She forces her eyes open in an instant, pressing on the gas pedal and bringing her car into motion once more. Perrie shakes her head and feels her grip on the steering wheel tighten. Her knuckles turn white. Her jaw tightens.

----

"Get out." Jade had said, voice shaky and eyes watery. "Please... just leave."

And Perrie had listened.

----

Perrie tries to forget how she heard a choked sob come from Jade after she'd closed the door behind her as she left. Jade never cries, and it makes this even more heartbreaking. She tries to rid herself of the guilt she felt for still walking down Jade's front steps even though she knows she should've turned around.

Perrie drives by a familiar building, a building that has 'Mix It Up' shining bright above its entrance with neon letters. She forces herself to look ahead, but that doesn't stop her brain from causing memories of their first encounter to resurface.

----

"Hey."

Perrie's so exhausted, she barely even lifts her gaze as she responds back. "Hi."

"You seem a bit down," the bartender says, her voice warm.

Perrie lets out an emotionless laugh. "Yeah, you can say that."

"Do you want a drink?"

"I can't. I have to drive back home."

"It doesn't have to be an alcoholic drink," the bartender says with a chuckle, and something about the way she laughs makes Perrie look up.

Upon making eye-contact, Perrie feels her heart jump to her throat. The bartender's curly brown hair is done up into a bun, messy strands of hair framing her beautiful face. Even in the darkness of the club, Perrie can see a twinkle in the girl's eyes.

"I..." Perrie trails off. "Sure."

"Is orange juice alright?" the bartender's small grin turns into a wider smile.

"Orange juice is fine," Perrie nods. The brunette girl turns around to retrieve something, placing a cup in front of Perrie and then pouring the juice into it.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" she asks as she pours Perrie's drink.

"What?"

"Whatever's making you upset," the girl clarifies. "I'm a good listener."

Perrie raises an eyebrow skeptically. "You'd listen to a stranger?"

The bartender hums and nods, leaning forward as she rests her elbows on the counter, placing her chin into the palm of her right hand.