New Beginnings. (Jiam AU)

Chapter 09.

Jade's POV

I was a mess. A complete mess. As I kept my grip on Perrie tight, I looked at my two other bandmates, who had bewildered looks on their faces.

"Jade," Jesy spoke calmly, "Please explain."

I bite on my lower lip before opening my mouth and trying to speak, but nothing comes out.

"Perrie, are you okay?" Zayn asks, completely dumbfounded at the sight of us.

Perrie, who is also unable to speak, simply nods.

I step away from the blonde's embrace, quickly slinging my purse and Jayla's Minnie Mouse backpack over my shoulder.

"I have to go," I mumble, more to myself than anyone inside the room.

I excuse myself out of the room, wiping my tears as I rush to the living room to retrieve my daughter.

I couldn't look back. I didn't want to. I headed straight for the door, with no questions asked by Niall, Liam, or even Jayla.

I reach my car, strapping Jayla into her carseat and offering her a smile before going over to my side of the car and turning on the engine. I wordlessly drive off, heaving a soft sigh as the tears fill my eyes.

Zayn's POV

"What was that?" Leigh finally asks as we hear the door shut, signaling that Jade had left.

"I- I don't know..." Perrie replies.

I walk up to her, slipping an arm around her waist and holding her close to me. I lean down, whispering into her ear. "I heard everything."

Perrie looks up at me with pleading eyes, as if to beg me not to say anything. "Zayn, please. It's her story to tell, not mine, or yours."

I give her a thoughtful nod, pressing my lips against her forehead before pulling away and turning to the two other girls. "I'll take care of the boys downstairs. You can both stay here with Perrie. Try calling Jade in a couple of minutes to see if she's safe."

With that, I swiftly walk out of the room and dash downstairs, calling out for the boys.

I find them in the kitchen, helping themselves to some cake that we had in the fridge. I chuckle to myself as I shake my head. "You both are still hungry?"

Liam looks up from his dessert plate. "What? No, no. I'm fine. We're fine."

I arch a brow at his response, choosing to press further. "You sure?"

My best friend furrows his brows, shaking his head and looking down. Niall stands beside me, eating a spoonful of cake every once in a while.

"What's with Jade?" Liam asks after a couple minutes of silence.

"She's... I don't know." I lie, shrugging as I look around. "The girls are upstairs. Pack up when you're done, yeah? It was nice having you both here. " I grin, patting both of the boys on the back.

"Alright, mate." Niall nods, and I turn to go upstairs, but decide to go against it and give the girls their space.

I just hoped that Jade could tell Liam before anyone else would tell him.

Jesy's POV

"Have you texted her?" I frantically ask, nibbling on my bottom lip as I stare at Perrie's phone.

"I have. She isn't replying," Perrie responds.

"Jade and Liam had a thing?" Leigh-Anne asks, looking just as confused as I was.

"Yes- no, wait... I don't know." The blonde replies, heaving a deep sigh.

"She needs to explain. I can't believe this," I mumble exasperatedly. Out of all people, why would Jade choose to hide a secret from us? Did she not trust us?

Perrie's phone then lights up, indicating that she had received a text message. She picks it up with shaky hands, opening it up and reading it.

"South Shields. Jade's gone home."

Jade's POV

Home. Home was the only place I could think of going. I figured it would be best, since Liam couldn't follow me. Who was I kidding? Liam wouldn't follow me. He didn't bother to follow me after we went our own separate ways. Bullshit, Jade. He never loved you.

Jayla was in her carseat, fast asleep. Every time I stopped for gas, I would just look at her, and she would either be staring out of the window or asleep. I didn't mind her not talking to me. She was a quiet little bee.

I pulled up to the parking space in front of my mam's house, heaving a sigh of relief when I saw the lights were on.

I finally have the courage to check my phone, replying to Perrie's text. I couldn't lie to her or the girls anymore. I know that this hurt them, but I had to do it.

I wake Jayla up and carry her, balancing her on my hip as I walk up the front steps of the house. I knock on the door, and am greeted by my mother with a warm smile.

"Jade, what are you doing here?"

I chuckle at her as I set Jayla down. "I needed to run away from London for a while. Can we stay here?"

"Of course!" She nods, wrapping her arms around me. "My little girl is always welcome here."

"Good." I laugh softly, wrapping my arms around her for quite a while.

It felt good to laugh after a long day, I can tell you that.

(A/N: I'm so sorry for not updating in a while! I've been so busy. I hope you like this chapter. Sorry for the POV switching, I figured you guys would want an insight on what each character was thinking. Bleh, I know this chapter's boring. Please bear with me. Thank you so much, guys! Ily all. x)