South Shields

Chapter 44

- PERRIE -

"Hey Jade, it's me Perrie. Uhm... I was just wondering if we could meet up today. I... I feel like I need to talk to get some things off my chest so... It would be good if you could call me back. Bye."

I end the voice mail and go back to eating my lunch at a restaurant downtown. I ordered a pasta carbonara and a glass of wine. I think I'll need to loosen up before talking to Jade.

When I've finished my meal I take sips of wine. I can't help but look at the screen over and over to see if Jade has sent a message or called me or just anything.

Then, suddenly my phone chimes. On the screen I see a picture of Jade and her name. I quickly answer.

"Jade! Hi." I greet her excitedly.

"Hey, Pez. Should I worry about you?" I know she refers to my voice mail.

"No, it's nothing too serious. But, I'd like to meet you as soon as possible."

"Oh, okay. I start my shift in an hour. Maybe we could meet before I start?"

"Yes, yeah sure. Um... Should I stop by your apartment? I'm downtown anyways."

"Yeah, do so. Okay, see you soon."

"Yeah, bye." I say and hang up. I call for a waiter to pay for the meal and hurry to drink my wine up. When I've paid the waiter I grab my things and begin the 10 minute walk to Jade's apartment.

-

"Hey Perrie." Jade greets me when she opens the door.

"Hi." I shyly greet her.

"Come in." She takes a step back to let me come into her hallway. I close the door behind me and Jade disappears into her home. I hang my denim jacket and my bag on a hook and walk into the apartment. It feels weird to be a guest here when only a few weeks ago I called it 'home'.

I walk into the kitchen tp find both Jesy and Leigh-Anne sitting by the table. They are both drinking tea and Jesy is looking through a magazine.

"Hi girls." I greet them as I enter the room.

"Perrie! Hi!" Jesy shrieks and jumps up from the chair. She gives me a tight hug that makes me feel loved.

"Hello!" Leigh-Anne greets with a smile from across the table. "Good to see you again, Perrie."

"Good to se you too, Leigh-Anne." I smile.

"You can call me Leigh if you want to - it's much shorter."

"Okay." I say and nod in response.

"Perrie? Do you want something oto eat? Drink?" Jade asks me as she now enters the rokm.

"Uhm... Water, please."

"I could make you some tea." she offers.

"Okay. Tea it is then." I smile.

"Perrie, sit down." Jesy says as she does so herself. "Let's have a chat."

"Actually, I just came here to talk to Jade, I..." I begin, but Leigh cuts me off.

"Oh come on! We want to hang out with you." she smiles.

"Okay, then." I give in as I sit down on the chair beside Jesy. When Jade is finished with mine and her tea, she sits down by the table as well.

"So, what's happened since we last met you?" Jesy asks curiously. I have no idea how I just became so interesting they would want to know what I've done the last few weeks.