One // Leigh-Anne Pinnock

Chapter Twenty Eight Pt. 1

Leigh had had enough of being on tour. Her contribution was limited. Her impulse led to booking a flight back home and packing up her and Chloe's bags.

When she broke the news to the girls their reaction wasn't what she was hoping but kind of what she expected.

"Why didn't you tell us you were planning on leaving?!" Jesy asked, trying to hide the irritation in her voice.

"Acted on impulse, I guess." Leigh said, nervously playing with her fingers.

"Well I think you're being very selfish because we're supposed to be a team. Be there for each other and we can't do that if you keep things from us." Jesy said, angrily.

"Jess-"

"Jesy stop."

"You've really turned into a selfish bitch, Leigh-Anne." She said getting up and leaving the bus.

Leigh was left shell-shocked. She couldn't believe her best friend had those things to say about her.

Her bottom lip trembled slightly and tears pricked at her eyes. She felt arms around her. She sucked in a deep breath and shook them off.

"Guys I'm fine." She said, plastering a small smile on her face.

At the same time a cry came from through the baby monitor. She scuttled out the room avoiding the pity looks given to her by the other girls.

"Hey pumpkin." She said, taking the 4 month old out of the crib.

She yawned and nestled into her mother's arms.

"You're such a lazy baby you know. All you do is sleep." She giggled.

She no longer felt like socializing so she climbed into her bunk. The pitter patter of rain drops against the bus was enough to put Leigh in a calm state of mind. Chloe-Marie was more alert then and her chubby arms gripped the hair hanging at the side of Leigh's head and pulled.

"Oww!" She hissed, trying to unwrap the little fingers from her curls and replaced them with her index finger. She kissed her daughter's knuckles and rubbed circles onto the top of her hand with the pad of her thumb.

Gradually the rain began to fall heavier and heavier. Her eyelids were becoming heavy so she put Chloe back in her crib. As her back touched the mattress in the crib, Chloe began to fuss. She took her out and went to look for either Jade or Perrie to watch her.

She was greeted with panicked faces and pacing.

"What's wrong?"

"Jesy hasn't come back yet and the weather is getting worse." Jade said looking out the window. As soon as she breathed the last word a loud clap of thunder sounded and the bus vibrated.

The noise set off Chloe-Marie and Leigh immediately started bouncing and walking around the room her to try to calm her down.

"Did she take a sweater with her at least?" Leigh asked, her tone calm for the sake of Chloe-Marie and the others.

"No. I'm really starting to worry. The rain here is no joke!" Perrie said involuntarily raising her voice.

"Okay first of all, remain calm. Sec-"

"Why do you want us to remain calm when Jesy is God knows where in this storm and she isn't answering her phone?!" Perrie exclaimed, slamming her hand against the counter. Chloe, who was just beginning to calm down, began wailing again.