Brave || Zerrie AU

Rain

The sun shined with great intensity as Perrie sat down on her spot on the cliff. Her thought drifted to so many places it made her dizzy, but one thing was clear and that was that she was returning to L.A tomorrow. A heavy feeling settled in her heart at the thought of leaving this place. Even though she had only been here for five weeks, Perrie called Sevence home and it was going to hurt like hell to say goodbye to it. 

The ocean seemed to call to her, asking her to stay, but she knew she needed to get back to reality and her life. That didn't mean her heart wasn't breaking for the two friends she was leaving behind. 

Abriella and Ciro. 

Perrie had asked them if they wanted to come with her, but both said no. They couldn't leave their home. It especially hurt Perrie when Ciro told her he wasn't going with her. Her mind drifted to that night and her conversation with Ciro. He told her that he liked her, yet he couldn't leave Sevence. He said that leaving Sevence was like leaving Alessanda and he wasn't ready for that. It hurt Perrie more than she wanted to admit it, but she completely understood. 

Zayn. She would see Zayn in a couple days because no matter how big the world was life had a funny way of laughing at her. He had called her a couple times while she had been in Sevence, but Perrie never answered the phone. At first because it pained her too much, but towards the end she didn't care anymore. Her heart had started to heal and with it she realized her self value and who she was as a person. That meant she she was done chasing after a man who didn't love her anymore. With time her heart had mended itself and Zayn wasn't a biggest part of it anymore. 

"Perrie?"  A gentle voice said from behind her. Perrie turned around to face Abriella, a smile on her sweet face. Her hair moved with the wind and her eyes shined bright. 

"Yeah?" 

"The boat is here to take you to the big city." Abriella send Perrie with a tight smile and it broke her heart. "Guess you really are leaving, huh?"

Perrie got up from where she was standing, her summer dress lifting from its pool. She walked towards Abriella and took her hand in hers. "I wish I could stay longer, trust me. But I have responsibilities I need to get back to. 

"I understand. I'm going to miss you so much, Pez." Abriella pulled Perrie into a tight hug. 

Perrie fought back the tears. Goodbyes were never easy for her. 

When the girls pulled away tears were in their eyes. Abriella furrowed her brows as if remembering something. "Oh, my dad said that he'll send your stuff to the boat. You have to hurry because it leaves in thirty minutes." 

"But I haven't said goodbye to Ciro." Perrie remembered, her thought flowed to the dark haired angel who had been her best friend these last weeks. 

Abriella rubbed her hands uncomfortably as she stood before Perrie unable to tell her what happened. Perrie sensed this and asked Abriella to be honest with her. After a moment Abriella answered, "Ciro said that he doesn't want to say goodbye to you. He told me that when I saw you I should tell you he said he hopes you have a nice trip back and find all your wishes."

Fighting back the tears was harder than Perrie wanted it to be. "Oh." She couldn't bring herself to say anything more. 

********

After much hugging and crying Perrie and Abriella parted ways as Perrie got on the boat that would take her to the big city and then the airport. The plane ride drained her energy. She pulled her phone out and looked through all the picture she had taken during the most amazing trip of her life. 

Photos of Ciro and Abriella filled her photo. In some photos they were laughing their butts off and in others they were on their adventures. A picture of Ciro in his home, smiling, caught Perrie's attention and heart. She remembered that smile being given to her when she needed it the most and all the wonderful things Ciro had done for her. 

One night when she was having a nightmare about losing her mother she had called Ciro. She didn't think he would come in the middle of the night to consul her, but he did. He came to her hotel and hugged her until she knew it was just a nightmare. The rest of the night they spent talking until Perrie had eventually fallen asleep. It was the small acts that Ciro did that made him so special.

The plane landed in L.A sooner than Perrie wished. She dragged her suitcase behind her as she made her way through the gate. As soon as she stepped outside she was greeted by her friends. Jade, Jesy, Leigh-Ann were outside, patiently waiting for her with dozens of balloons. 

"Perrie!" They shouted in unison as they ran to her, embracing her in a power hug. "We missed you, Pez!" 

Perrie pulled away smiling. Her heart fluttered with happiness at seeing her friends again. "I missed you guys too!" 

Jade locked arms with Perrie. "Tell us everything about your trip!" 

Perrie gave her a big smile and a giggle. "Oh, boy do I have a lot to tell you guys!"

With that the girl of Little Mix were reunited and Perrie found another puzzle that made her complete. Her friends. The four girls walked hand-in -hand towards the car waiting for them, finally together again.