Unexpected Rendezvous

Chapter 31

Perrie's POV

I sit in my car in the empty Charlton High car park, put the key in the ignition, and turn on the engine. Just like I've done hundreds of times before. After that though, it's not an exaggeration to say that I have absolutely no idea what to do next.

My phone dings, startling me, and I look down. Flight 2612 is delayed due to air traffic, and is now scheduled to arrive at 6:00pm.

I rest my forehead against the steering wheel, imagining an alternate universe where my biggest worry would be the fact that I have to bring Mum's outfit to the award ceremony. Instead of the very real possibility that the whole thing will be cancelled once I'm arrested at the door.

I wonder if I should be proactive and call my parents. Will hearing from me as soon as they land make any of this better? Or should I catch up with Charlton Speaks first, and see how much worse the rumours have gotten since we left Aaron's house? Or maybe I should call Jade, and leave a long, rambling voicemail apology since there's no way she'd pick up.

I'm not calling Leigh. To hell with her.

And Jonnie...I don't even know what to think about Jonnie.

There's something on Reddit called Am I the Dick?, where people write in about personal conflicts and ask others to tell them who's in the wrong. Sometimes it's horrifying, sometimes it's funny, but a lot of times it's someone who's genuinely confused about whether or not they're the bad guy in a given situation. Now I'm running the last four years between me and Jonnie through an AITD filter, wondering if all the things he did that I thought were deliberate and malicious were actually reactions. Or is Leigh right, and Jonnie was just manipulating me back there?

It's tempting to think that, comfortable and familiar, but it's not like I'm the world's nicest person. I was just spite-voted out of student council office after all, in favour of somebody who ran as a joke.

Nelson. Oh my God, Nelson.

I haven't let myself cry about Jesy all day, but the tears come now. I wrap my arms around the steering wheel and sob until my throat aches. I wish I could go back to yesterday afternoon, when the election results were announced, and congratulate Nelson the way I should have. If I'd been a gracious loser, I would have insisted we meet this morning to discuss a transition plan, and she might never have gone to London. For once in my life, I could've used my infamous punishment for good. Nelson would be eating dinner with her parents right now, not lying cold in a morgue.

"I'm sorry, Jesy," I choke out, the words a ragged gasp. "I'm so sorry."

I'm almost cried out when my phone chimes again in my lap. I wipe at my eyes, and take a few long, deep breaths before picking it up. Whatever or whoever this is, I think, I'm going to do the right thing.

The text is from my brother. Hey, we broke down. Can you pick us up?

I blink at my screen as Jonnie sends his location. He's not far from here; somewhere on the edge of Charlton it looks like.

I rub a palm across my still-wet cheeks. Leigh really rattled me back in the classroom, tossing out all those wild theories about Jonnie. It's ridiculous; there's no possible way my brother is assisting Mr Gray, or with drugs. He'd have to be a true master manipulator to pull that off, and I'd have to be a complete fool not to have seen it.

It's weird about the trainers though. I had no idea they cost that much.

Ugh. No. I give myself a mental slap. Do the right thing, Perrie. Don't sit here coming up with conspiracy theories while your brother needs help. I've been frozen with indecision since I got into my car. But here, finally, is something I can do.

On my way, I text back.