One // Leigh-Anne Pinnock

Chapter Twenty Eight Pt. 2

"Jesy I need to speak to you." Leigh said, walking into the lounge with Chloe-Marie in her arms.

Jesy lazed in the lounge the other girls who were chatting and laughing. The smile on her face disappeared when she heard Leigh's demand.

"Please?" Leigh asked when she saw that the older girl was about to refuse. Jesy hesitated then sighed and walked out the room.

They went to the back of the bus and Leigh closed the door.

"I'm listening." Jesy said, taking a seat on her bed. She crossed her legs and placed her hands in her lap.

Leigh kept standing. She looked into her bandmate's glaring stare and froze. She felt the tremor in her hand return. The words kept getting caught in her throat, choking her.

Why is it so hard to say two words?

The curly haired girl put the four month old back in her crib and handed her her stuffed puppy to play with. The ear of the toy went straight into the baby's mouth.

Her hand was shaking too much and it needed to get under control before the other girl saw. She hid her hand behind her back and faced the older girl.

"I'm sorry." Leigh blurted. "I'm sorry for not talking to you guys about leaving before I booked a flight home."

It was silent for a couple seconds before Jesy spoke.

"Apology accepted. And I'm sorry for blowing up at you like that. I shouldn't have done that. I should've just come and talk to you."

"It's fine."

"Are we good?' The darker skinned girl asked.

"Yeah we're good." The ginger replied with a smile. Chloe squealed and clapped her hands. She looked up at both ladies with a huge, toothless grin on her chubby, little face. Both of them laughed.

"It's as if she knew we just made up." Jesy said, looking at the child in awe.

"Yeah."

"Are you still going home?"

"I don't think so. My throat feels better so I'll call the vocal coach for a session or 2." Leigh said, biting her lower lip.

"Check with a doctor before you do." She said getting up. "I'm glad we worked this out. I don't like fighting with you." She said wrapping her arms around the younger girl.

Reciprocating the action, Leigh buried her face into Jesy's neck and sighed. Sensing that her friend needed comforting, she gently rubbed small circles into her back. They stayed in that position until Leigh pulled away.

"Thanks I needed that." She said offering a smile. Jesy nodded then walked out the room.

...

That same evening Leigh met with their vocal coach, Leah. She brought Chloe along with her since no one could watch her. The young baby lay in her stroller, pacifier in mouth, stuffed puppy in arm, gazing at her mum.

After making complete sure that Leigh's voice was fit for singing they warmed up then started practicing.

Leigh quickly grew frustrated. Her slender fingers constantly threaded through her curls. Her knee bounced up and down. Her voice cracked every time she did a high note. This lead her to stopping and starting again, which got her nowhere. Eventually, Leah intervened.

"Leigh, you've been on voice rest for what 2 weeks? -"

"Three actually."

"Exactly my point. You haven't been using your voice so it's going to crack. You just have to keep practicing. Now take a deep breath and start again."