You'll Never Know (AU) || LT & JT (editing)

New Girl, New Friend

Chapter 11

|Louis|

2 days after Homecoming I entered the halls. I was still trying to dodge the idea of bumping into Jade when I bumped into someone.

"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to hit you love."I said as I helped the blonde girl up.

"Oh no, it's me. I'm lost and I couldn't find the room to my Physics class."she told me

"Let me see your schedule. Oh we have the same class. I'm just going to get something in my locker and I'll accompany you there." I told her.

"Thanks. Being a transferee is tough." she said

"I'm Louis, you are?" I asked

"Bridgit." she said with her dimples showing up.

"You're American aren't you? Just like Victoria and Logan." I asked

"Yeah, but I'm only going to be here for 2 months, it's an exchange program for cheerleaders. I was exchanged with a girl named Cher Lloyd." she explained

"Zayn, Pezza. Meet my new friend Bridgit, she's American and a cheerleader."I told themselves "You're the girl exchanged with Cher? Cool." Perrie asked

"Yeah. Hi. I'm Bridgit Mendler" she said with a smile

"You are nothing like Cher. You are actually nice." Perrie said making her chuckle

"So let's go?" I asked her and she nods.

I wasn't trying to flirt with her, if you're thinking that, that isn't my motive. I just wanted to help her. Especially that she's in a foreign land, away from her comfort.

"Welcome to Physics." I said I then sat in my usual seat.

"Do you mind if I sit beside you? You're like my first official friend and all." she asked

"Not at all." I told her

"So how are you finding London?" I asked her

"Well lonely, I miss my boyfriend Shane. He's probably worried sick, he always told me to not fall in love with British gentlemen like you." she admitted making me laugh at her honesty

"Don't worry, I'm not ready for love and I would never ever ask a girl with a boyfriend. But I can be your official friend here. I can help ward of British gentlemen trying to get you." I teased making her laugh.

We kept talking and laughing until Liam and Jade entered hand and hand followed by our other classmates. I felt myself tense up but reminded myself that I did nothing wrong, I didn't try and make a move on Jade, I just told her what I felt. I just wanted to be normal again, so I simply eased back into conversing with Bridgit until our teacher came.

———

"You've got to try the chocolate pudding Niall loves it." I told her as we lined up at the cafeteria.

"No Sloppy Joes?" she asked and I shook my head

"Not really." I told her as I ordered.

"Weird." she said making me smirk

After paying for our food I invited her to sit with me and the rest of my friends only to find Jade sitting with us again. I mean, she's trying her best to come back to our group and she means well I guess.

"Hey guys this is Bridgit." I introduced her to all of them as I sat beside Zayn and Perrie.

Perrie moved over to give her some space thus making her sit between Perrie and Jade

I knew it was awkward for Jade and me but I tried my best to compose myself. The only way for me to actually heal is to start being genuinely happy for her.

"So how are you and Liam?" I asked

"We're fine." she said with a smile

"Louis said that you guys loved chocolate pudding especially Niall." Bridgit asked

"oh silly of me. Bridgit this is Jesy, Niall and Jade." I said making them all say their Hi and Hello to her.

"Hey you have a girt certificate to Green Herb Garden Steakhouse right? You should invite her there." Perrie suggested

Making Jade look at me.

"I'm saving that for some special occasion. My mum loves it there." I told them

"Well aren't you a sweetheart." Bridgit teased

"He has his moments." Jesy teased

"Well aren't you all just great friends." I responded making everyone laugh except Jade who was now preoccupied with eating.

———

"She's nice" Perrie teased as we walked together to the library

"Who?"I asked

"Bridgit. She seems to make you laugh."Perrie answered

"Perrie, she has a boyfriend in America. And I'm still trying to pick up the pieces." I admitted

"Oh... I didn't know and good for you. I think single life suits you for now." Perrie said as she hugged me

"Thanks." I said with a smile

"Promise me you'll be happy again." she then told me

"I'll try my best Perrie. But no promises."I responded making her sigh.

I was trying, I really was. Because frankly that is the only thing I could do right now, try to be happy again.

——-

|Jade|

"So have you met the new girl?" I asked Liam as he was getting something from his locker

"Yeah, she seems nice. Why?" he asked

"Nothing. She's just very pretty. And very funny, everyone seems to like her."I told him

"Don't worry, I still like you more." Liam said with a cheeky smile

"Thanks babe."I said as he kissed my cheeks.

"Let's get you to your next class." Liam then said as he placed his hands on my waist and I nodded.

We were walking up the stairs talking about Liam's favorite show when we saw Louis and Bridgit laughing at the corridor.

"HER MUM FELL AND PERRIE EVENTUALLY FELL AS WELL." Louis shouted as he tried his best to control his laughter

This was the classic Perrie's story of how her Aunt Lucy cooked a Koi Fish by accident and that Perrie's Dad had already eaten most of it when they found out. It was Perrie and her Mum who laughed so hard with her father's reaction after finding out that he ate a Koi fish.

"Classic Koi fish story" I whispered

"Koi fish story?" Liam asked

"It's the story Perrie liked telling, she always had crazy stories about her Aunt Lucy." I explained

"Oh. It's your group's thing?" Liam asked and I nodded

Liam was a very good boyfriend, he listens to me and he tries his best to give me the space I need. He's been very supportive of me trying to mend my friendship with Louis and everyone, but a part of me wonders if I fell in love with the idea of Liam as my boyfriend or if I genuinely loved him. I rarely felt butterflies in my stomach when he kisses me, and he rarely gets my humor. I guess, we just try to look like we belong with each other on the outside, but we're struggling to keep the bond between us.

It wasn't like what I had with Louis, it was easy. We didn't have to try so hard to keep the bond, it just came naturally. I guess I just found comfort in our friendship that maybe it just felt familiar. Louis is my friend but I have got to keep reminding myself that I should be loyal to Liam. He has been a gentleman and I shouldn't waste his efforts just because I felt uneasy, maybe I might ease into him and find comfort in him... Not immediately but maybe in time...