Stay

The Ex

A/N: The song referenced in the chapter when they are singing is Minefields by Faouzia, which I included in the media in case you want to listen; also imagine Perrie instead of John Legend singing.

It's been a month since Perrie and I got married; our documents were approved as well as the agent visit. One day before the visit, Perrie had a panic attack. She got really anxious thinking that he would find out and I would be deported. It was really difficult to calm her down, but we managed. While it was heartbreaking to see her in that state, it demonstrated how important I was to her that my departure had caused her to become this way.

We keep acting like a couple when we are out, and with each gesture and kiss, I saw myself starting to have feelings for Perrie, and not in a friendly way, which sucks because if she finds out, it can ruin our fake marriage and, at worst, our friendship and I can't loose her. It also sucks that I'll have to be in a fake relationship with her for 5 years, which will definitely not help my feelings go away.

And speaking of our marriage, in a few months we'll have a full-on wedding. Perrie and I didn't really want one, but Leigh said it may look like a lack of interest or effort to the agents, and I have to agree. Perrie's family is paying for everything, and the girls are helping Perrie and I decide everything alongside the wedding planner.

Today we'll buy our dresses; we'll go to different stores because Leigh doesn't want us to see each other beforehand. I said that this superstition isn't actually valid for fake marriages, but she insisted. Perrie was going with Leigh, and I was going with Faouzia. I was going to the studio to meet Faouzia so we could go, and Perrie would meet Leigh at the other store.

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I arrived at the record label, and they let me in since everyone here knew me. I went straight to the studio but stopped right at the door. Faouzia and Perrie were sat side by side playing piano together and singing a beautiful ballad, which I guessed they just finished writing. It was like I was glued to my spot observing them, and it made me wonder why they had broken up. I mean, they were perfect for each other; they had the same interests and passions; they looked good together and sounded even better and they obviously liked each other's personalities since they were still friends. The sound of clapping took me out of my reverie.

"That song is amazing. I have a few artists that I think would like to record it" an older guy who I guessed was from the label said.

They thanked him and said their goodbyes when the guy came in my direction to get out of the door. That was when they both noticed me.

"Hey, Jadey, I didn't see you there." Perrie greeted me with a hug and a kiss on my forehead since she was taller than me.

"Hi Jay" Faouzia said.

"Hi girls! "I kept quiet to not disturb you singing" I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Oh yeah, what did you think of the song?" Perrie asked ecxited.

"It was great; you both have beautiful voices" I said with a small smile, and I could see Faouzia eyeing me.

"Well, let's get going." "We can't be late to plan the Jerrie wedding," Faouzia said.

We said our goodbyes to Perrie and went to Faouzia's car. We stayed silent for a quarter of the journey before Faouzia broke it.

"You are very quiet today. "Are you okay?" she inquired

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I replied.

"I don't know, it just seems like something is bothering you" she said.

After a little bit of silence, I couldn't contain myself any longer and asked.

"Why did you and Perrie break up?" I asked bluntly.

"You want the nice answer or the real one?" she asked.

"The real one" I said. She paused for a bit before answering.

"It was because of you," she simply said.

"What do you mean because of me?" I was confused as to what I could have done to cause this.

"Perrie was a great girlfriend and all, but there was always a little something missing in our relationship." After a few months together, I realized what it was." I looked at her curiously and she continued "It was her heart. Sure, she liked me, but her heart was somewhere else."

"Where?" I asked.

"It was with you. Even though she didn't realize it then and maybe doesn't now, her heart was always with you." she replied.

I was in complete shock as I processed all that information, and after what felt like an eternity, I finally said something that I felt was the right thing to say.

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be, it's not your fault, and it's not hers either."We don't choose who you fall in love with. And besides..." She turned to look at me and said, "I got over it, so if you ever develop feelings for her, don't hesitate because of me." "I'm not in love with her anymore" she said, and I could tell she knew I liked Perrie, but I also saw such sincerity in her eyes when she said she was over it, so I knew she wouldn't be hurt if anything was to happen between us.

We smiled at each other, and after that conversation, everything felt lighter, and we made our way to the store with a new sense of ease and behaving like our normal dorky selves.