shadows // zerrie au

16

Perrie didn't know Karen very well, but she knew a handful of things from the few shows she's come to. For one thing, she was very pretty with long dark locks reaching down her lower back and emerald green eyes. Another thing she noticed is Gemma's sour feelings towards her. Lastly, Karen's own sour feelings towards Perrie herself.

Karen was sat on Zayn's lap, texting on her phone as she usually does. She wasn't modest with her outfits as she often wore small dresses, but she did pull it off well and if it made Karen happy, who was Perrie to judge, really. She hiked down her skirt slightly, the hem rising up all over again.

Gemma scowled. "God knows how many things have crawled up that nasty entrance of hers."

Perrie slapped her arm lightly. "Don't be rude, Gemma. I think she's very pretty."

"You're too much, sunshine," Gemma said in disbelief. "Her thoughts are anything but pretty towards you and you're still nice. 'Dunno how you do it."

"Kindness isn't hard," Perrie corrected. "Everyone deserves it no matter how negative they may be."

Niall shook his head. "Bless ya heart, Princess."

Perrie quietly observed the both of them. Zayn was scrolling through his phone as well, his hand on her knee. They made quite attractive pairing.

"I'm gonna go talk to them," Perrie declared.

"Don't," Gemma said, grasping her hand and bouncing her back on her seat. "She's a package you don't want to open."

"But I do," Perrie pulled her hand away, running over to the couple. Perrie smiled. "Hello."

Karen looked up, scrunching her nose. "Hi."

"You've got a nice dress on there," Perrie complimented.

"Thanks."

Zayn looked at her wearily. "Is there a reason why you're here?"

"Fancied a chat is all," Perrie shrugged. "How long have you two been together?"

"Awhile," Zayn responded, making Karen raise an eyebrow.

"That's so nice," Perrie smiled. "I'm really glad you're happy together."

"Of course you are," Karen mumbled.

Perrie stood, shifting back and forth with a smile on her face. They srared at her awkwardly, neither knowing what to do. Gemma watched, secondhand embarrassment for her taking an extreme. Niall nudged her. She sighed and stood up, grabbing her hand.

"You know, I've wanted to go to church for awhile, let's go out and have a breath of Jesus, yeah?" She said, a forced smile on her face.

"There's a church near?" Perrie beamed.

"Since when are you a church girl," Zayn said.

Gemma scoffed. "Since long ago, not that it's any of your business. Though your Dear should consider making it her business."

Karen narrowed her eyes at her, ready to bite back but Zayn held her still, shaking his head. She huffed and sat back down on him.

"We'll catch you later," Gemma said, a small smirk taking over. "Come on, Niall."

"Should we be leaving?" Perrie asked, ungrasping her hand from Gemma's grip and linking her arm with hers instead.

"We've got a two day break to spend here, I think we're about good," Niall said.

"Where should we head to? Now that we're forced to go out," Gemma asked, her boots clicking against the gravel.

"You said we'd go to a church," Perrie pouted.

"It was an excuse."

"Gemma, please," Perrie stopped walking, shaking her arm. "I really need to go."

Niall looked at Gemma, who groaned loudly. "I don't wanna go."

"Come on, Gem. It's not too bad, my mum's been buggin' me 'bout going anyway. Come on, you can't say no to her," Niall sighed.

Gemma groaned again, slumping her shoulders. "Fine," She muttered. "There should be a church around here anyway. There's churches everywhere."

                              ***

"This is so beautiful," Perrie gaped, an incredulous laugh sneaking out. "They built this all for Him?"

"Yup," Gemma said, popping the 'p'. "We brought you here now. Is there anything else you'd like? Are we good to leave?"

"Can I stay a bit longer?" Perrie asked. "I just want a moment, please."

Gemma hesitated, scrunching her nose. "Alright, sunshine. Pray away."

"You two can actually go across the street and shop if you want. I want to spend some good time here."

"Sunshine--"

"I'll be okay," Perrie smiled. "Go, come back for me later. I don't mind spending a lot of time here."

Perrie slowly walked down the aisles, her fingertips running against the curve of the seats. The church was big, with tall pillars and gold details. She made her way to the front, kneeling down. She watched an old woman next to her, and copied her hand gestures before closing her eyes.

"Father, it's me," She whispered quietly. "I know you're angry at me and that I have made a very grave mistake. Please talk to me."

Gaea

Perrie's eyes opened, her father's familiar voice echoing in her head.

You've done something terrible and selfish, Gaea.

"I know," Perrie sighed. "I'm sorry, father."

I know you ran into some evils recently

"I did," Perrie nodded. "How do I stop them?"

You don't, Gaea. The only thing stopping them was having you in heaven and now you're on Earth. You have to come back.

"I can't do that, I want to stay."

Doing the right thing doesn't always feel good, but it's for the best. You can't risk all these human lives. You're not even safe here.

"What do you mean?"

You can't trust everything, Gaea

Perrie gasped, a burning sensation spreading through her neck. She reached to touch the back of her neck, yelping as it burned her fingers. It was salt.

Scream, Gaea. Are you always this foolish? Your father has no way of coming. You have no way of going. Just let us get this over with.

Perrie bit her hand, the overwhelming pain stinging toward her back. The woman next to her looked at her worriedly.

"Are you alright?" She asked, her hand on her shoulder.

Perrie choked, unable to speak. Her mouth was dry and struggling to utter a syllable.

cat got your tongue?

The woman stood, calling for help as Perrie coughed, wheezing and gasping for air. She crouched on the floor, her hands clutching her stomach. She covered her mouth with her hand, trying to block out the noise from disrupting the entire place. Her hand moved awat, her eyes widening at the red liquid on her hand.

Goodnight, Gaea

Her eyes grew involuntarily tired, her knees going weak. Her body collapsed on to the floor, the sound of footsteps and a faint voice echoing in her head.

I know it's no longer friday (its 2:15 am where im at oops) and I'm late, but friday and tuesday will be the updating days since it gives me enough time to write and not long of a waiting time. love yall comment and vote xo