Mute

Chapter 25: The Tense Air

(Leigh)
"Hey, you've got ten minutes to get dressed. Come on Leigh." A soft voice was right next to my ear. I rolled over, mentally groaning in my head. "Leighly, come on!" Perrie was whining softly,which was cute. But sleep is also great. I rolled over once more, expecting to hit the wall but ended up falling at my girlfriend's feet. The wind whooshed out of my gut in a heartbeat and I was left laying there, blinking the sleep out of my eyes listening to the silly blonde giggling down at me. "Hey Leigh. That was cute." She smirked. I pouted In return, thankfully resulting in Perrie scooping me up and setting me on my feet in front of the dresser. I signed thanks and yawned, stretching lazily to throw on some leggings and my colorful patterned jumper, quickly putting up my hair in a very lazy bun. I hadn't realized that Perrie was standing in front of me with Jade, watching me with an amused expression. Jade was giggling too. Although she looked a bit stressed, her eyes seemed rimmed with black circles around them like she got no sleep last night. I decided to talk to her later and instead looked down at myself, what was wrong with me wearing one of my favorite jumpers? Oh. I blushed lightly and flipped the jumper back around quickly, there. Perrie shot me an adoring look before taking my hand to lead me out the door, Jade followed yawning sleepily. The ride to Starbucks was comfortingly silent, everyone was still clearly sleepy. When we walked into the coffee shop I literally could have found a nice spot to lay down and nap forever but Perrie hassled Jade and I along to get our food, keeping us awake.
On the way to school I just slept, avoiding anything to do with education for as long as I could, listening to Perrie hum quietly along to the music in the morning air, Jade was passed out in the back as well. I reached over to take my girlfriend's hand, curling up even further into the seat and smiled, feeling her hand lace itself comfortably in my grasp. The rest of the trip stayed in silence, but it was a nice silence. None of us were in the mood to talk really, just rest and drive. Well, Perrie had to stay focused on the road, and Jade was still sound asleep.

Soon enough I gave up when I started to review for my AP Economics test in my head and think about defense tactics for soccer. What a dork. I must be a rather clumsy girlfriend to Pez. I popped an eye open at her; she was smiling softly. I don't think she minds. I decided to stop at that. We made it to school in moments, seeing other sleepy kids walking down the streets or getting out of their cars. Perrie hopped out of the car and went to open my door for me, making my heart flutter once more. ¨Ready beautiful?¨ She smiled whilst wrapping her arms freely around my waist. I nodded, feeling myself blush lightly. I threw my arms around her neck to go and kiss my silly girlfriend; she was a bit surprised but leaned in to kiss me back anyways. Her hands rested perfectly on my hips whilst she steadied me to keep my from falling. I could lose myself in this girl any day or at any time.

¨Oh come on guys, I'm going to bloody barf.¨ A new voice brought me back down to earth. I blushed lightly and rested my head against Perrie's collar. ¨Sorry, er-oh hi, Ms. Nelson?¨ Perrie stuttered when she turned to see who it was. I froze as well, staying behind Perrie. ¨Don't please. I just wanted to say something to you all. Honest.¨ She held up her hands in surrender. Perrie looked back to me, but then bit her lip to turn back to the young woman and nodded. ¨I-look, I'm sorry I completely went nuts when I walked in on Jade and you two the other day. I wanted to say that I am always here for you girls, whatever you need. And well Perrie, you're going to be fine. All of you.¨ She finished whilst wrapping her fingers around her coffee mug. Pez shared a look with me before slowly starting to grin. ¨Thank you so much J-miss. I really appreciate it, and I understand. Anyone would freak out if they found out like that. I can't let this get out, never. If there are any others like me that are here though...it probably isn't out of good intentions. If you see someone, anyone, let me know; I'll handle it.¨ My girlfriend hid her hands in her jumper and studied our drama professor. ¨I will, promise. See you girls later.¨ She started to walk away although she cast a long look into the car. We all turned to see Jade struggling to wake up. She was combing her hair out of her face. I watched Jesy smile quickly before completely turning to head back into the school. Bless her soul she still is into Jade. I turned back to watch the petite Geordie stumble out of the car in a daze. ¨What'd I m-miss?¨ She yawned and stretched as best as she could. ¨Well, apart from your person of interest; some leftover donuts.¨ Perrie shrugged nonchalantly as our friend's jaw fell to the floor.

¨WHAT.¨ She screeched.

¨I know! We didn't know how to wake you without giving you a reason to kill us both, so, well, that was plan...C?¨ Perrie twiddled her thumbs and I smirked. Jade just closed her mouth and frowned before picking up her dance bag to haul with her to class. ¨Damn you Perrie.¨ She gave her best friend a small shove jokingly before giving us a hilariously comical face. I snorted whilst Perrie giggled. Then the three of us began walking over to our usual group.

Delaney saw us arriving and waved us over. ¨Morning sunshine!¨ She whistled seeing Jade's half-assed hair. We all snorted and saw Jade stick her hair up in a quick bun. ¨Fuck you all, today is my bad hair day.¨ She pouted. We all simply changed the subject. It wasn't until I wondered who the girl that was talking to Jason-one of my new friends-turned and went to greet Delaney that I froze again in mid-step towards Cher. Gillum stood in front of me, a momentary glance of confusion passed over her face until it was replaced with realization. Perrie caught on in a heartbeat and subtly stepped in front of me, her shoulder covering most of my body. Easy, play it calm. I sucked in a breath and went to wrap my arms around Perrie's waist. ¨Hey I was thinking about taking you to lunch today, we have free period today.¨ She started to propose cheerfully-bloody hell she was great at covering slip-ups. I tickled her sides in response and couldn't help kissing her jaw and smiling wide. ¨Great! Want to meet at the picnic tables?¨ She leaned down a hair to pick me up. Everyone gagged jokingly, Jade just giggled at us. I nodded against her nose and accepted her quick kiss. ¨Well then guys, are you trying to outdo us or what?¨ Lauren and Camila pouted at us. ¨I wasn't aware that we were trying to outcute these two.¨ Perrie smirked; I only blushed into her shirt. ¨Let's take a walk.¨ Lauren suggested to Perrie and I. Jade shoved us forwards, sensing the tension in the air. ¨I've got to talk to Professor Bins about my history paper.¨ She announced and skipped off after bidding us all goodbye. Perrie, Lauren, Camila and I then headed off a second later after saying bye to Delaney and Mitch. Once we were out of earshot Lauren and Camila stopped walking and led us over to the empty columns. No one really came here unless they wanted to smoke, skip, or get away from school. ¨I'm feeling the negative air. It's really strong.¨ Camila didn't even hesitate to speak her mind. Perrie rubbed the back of my hand soothingly with her thumb. ¨You two know each other hon?¨ Lauren's piercing green eyes watched me carefully. I nodded. She's my ex. I don't want anything to do with her. I signed to Camila and told her about the small scare I got beneath the bleachers the other day.

Does the rest of the team know? She signed back. I shook my head, no. Only Jade and Perrie know. I signed once more. Camila bit her lip softly and turned to Lauren, giving her a look. The older girl threw up her arms in exasperation. ¨Do you think I'd leave her alone with that girl? She even gives me the creeps.¨ Lauren looked at me again. ¨I'm going to walk with you to all of our classes, Perrie and Jade and Camila also. If you will let us that is.¨ Lauren voiced their plan. I really hated the fact that I felt helpless in this situation, but if my friends wanted to protect me-I would let them, I felt safe here with these girls. ¨I'll tell Delaney later, thanks guys.¨ Perrie hugged Lauren and Camila once we all reached an agreement. ¨Alright, just take it easy guys, see you later.¨ Lauren and Camila hugged me as well before we went our separate ways.