Our Turn

Chapter 4

- PERRIE -

"We all know him? What does that mean?" I ask Jones confused. "Who is this guy?"

"I was thinking it would be nice for you to meet him in person, Perrie..." Jones smiles. Just as I'm about to once again ask him what he means, the door behind us opens. We turn around in our chairs. My jaw drops. 

"Oh my god." I hear Jesy whisper from beside me.

Through the door walks someone I indeed know very well. Last time I saw him was over three years ago. Same clothes, same hair, same smile. It's like turning back time to the days when I didn't know who I was or what I wanted.

"Perrie, you know Lucas right?" Jones asks me from behind.

"I do." I say as my eyes meet Lucas'. 

I hear Mr. Jones stand up and the next moment he's by Lucas' side shaking his hand. My eyes are still on Lucas. I cannot seem to pull them away. What is he doing here? And why has he agreed to Jones' deal after what I did to him all those years ago?

"Mr. Jones, nice to meet you again." Lucas greets him with a smile.

"Great to see you too, Lucas."

As they walk back around the table, me and the girls turn around as well. One of the men who sat beside Jones has moved over to another chair to make room for Lucas to sit beside Jones.

"Hey girls." Lucas smiles at the four of us as we all stare at him.

"Why are you here, Lucas?" Jesy asks him.

"I will come to that." Jones answers. "To repair the damage you girls have caused, I asked my assistants for advice. They gave me-"

Mr. Jones is interrupted by Jade. "I was just thinking, is this really a big problem? I mean, we didn't mention that Perrie and me are together, just that we're dating. We could just say that is was a joke or so-"

"Excuse me, Jade!" Jones rises his voice. "This is a problem because even though you girls told the truth, you hinted an LGBT-relationship. That is a problem." He fixes his eyes on Jade, and when he has made her uncomfortable enough, she looks away.

"As I was saying, my assistants gave me the idea to have one of you girls going public with a new partner. Media is already speculating and your fans want answers. I decided to dig a little, and then I found the name of the young man beside me." Jones gestures to Lucas, who is sitting with a big smile on his face. "I called Lucas to see if he would be willing to help out you girls, since all you ever do is put yourselves in trouble. For a fair amount of money, Lucas has agreed to be your boyfriend, Perrie, for at least the next few months. The period of the agreement depends on the popularity among fans and media."

I can't believe the words that are coming out of Jones' mouth. He cannot be serious.

"Is this for real?"

"Yes, Perrie. This deal is serious. That's why I've printed out a contract for you and Lucas to sign. In short it includes the rules of how to handle media and fans, how you as a group have to present yourselves and handle the situation in public and the needed requirements for you and Lucas as a couple." Jones says.

He hands me the document and gives Lucas an identical one. The girls get ones as well. My eyes meet Lucas'. Then, he looks down on the paper, reads through it quickly, signs his name and hands it back to Mr. Jones. So it's my turn.

As I read, I realize that the rules and requirements are ridiculous. For example, I can never share sleeping area with Jade, even if Jesy and Leigh-Anne are there as well. Lucas and I should kiss as often as we can when in public. During the minimum of six months that we are required to be in a relationship we have to go on at least one vacation because it will help emphasizing the strength of our relationship.

I see the girls signing their contracts. I swallow. I really don't want to. Even though I know Jade understands the situation, I feel like I'm betraying her. It's like I'm cheating. I have been with Lucas, and the feelings I felt for him were true. They were at that time, but when I see him now, all I think of is a younger me who had no clue of what she was doing. I was so afraid to let myself be me. The opinions of others were so important I missed what was really important to me. Jade. Jesy and Leigh-Anne. My beautiful girlfriend and the best friends I could ask for. 

As I take a deep breath I put the pen on the paper. I sign my name and give it to Mr. Jones.

"So it is all set. I will e-mail you all copies of the agreement. You girls can leave, except for you Perrie."

"Why?"

"I'll leave you and Lucas to... catch up after all these years." Mr. Jones says with a smile before he walks out of the room followed by his two assistants. 

Well, this is going to be awkward.