Just a Bit

Chapter 10

I'm baaaack with yet another update! 

Just a warning, this book has less than five chapters left, it is a short story after all. 

For now just enjoy this chapter and don't think about killing me when this book is finished

"Ah, you must be Jade. I'm Debbie, and this is my husband Alexander. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Um, y-yeah," Jade swallowed the lump in her throat and extended her hand to shake Debbie's. As Debbie shook her hand firmly, Jade's eyes latched onto the sparkling diamond necklace laying prominently around the woman's neck. 

"Pleasure," Alexander smiled graciously, clasping Jade's hands in between his own. "For sure," Jade replied, forcing a smile onto her face to hide how anxious she was. 

"Mom, Dad," Perrie said again, Debbie shifting attention to her daughter once more. 

"What are you doing here?" Perrie asked, clearly upset. Jade walked over to Perrie and squeezed her hand, Debbie and Alexander's eyes following her movements. 

"It's the Christmas season, we wanted to stop by and say hello since you're not coming back for Christmas this year," Debbie replied, waving her hand around, Jade blinking as she noticed the big flashy ring upon the woman's finger.

"Well maybe there's a reason I'm not coming home," Perrie replied. "And that reason might be linked to your side of the family, Mom."

"What's going on?" Jade asked quietly. "Should I leave?"

"No," Perrie said firmly. "This is your apartment just as much as it is mine."

"I really don't want to fight," Debbie said calmly, her hands out in front of her. Alexander stood silently next to her. 

"Fine, then let's talk," Perrie said after a minute. 

"I want to know how you are," Debbie said. 

"We are your parents, this stuff is normal," Alexander added.

"Oh," Perrie said quietly, clearly surprised. "Well, I have a girlfriend. Her name's Jade, but I guess you knew that already."

"Yes dear I did," Debbie replied fondly. "If memory serves, you called me after you initially asked Jade out on a date. You were over the moon that she'd said yes. I was very happy for you."

"You were over the moon?" Jade asked, smiling slyly. "You forgot to mention that."

"Mom," Perrie hissed, her cheeks flushing bright red. 

"You choose well darling," Debbie continued. "She's beautiful."

"T-thank you," Jade managed to get out. 

"Tell us about yourself," Alexander offered, sitting down on the couch, his wife joining him. "We've got time."

"Um, well my name's Jade Amelia Thirlwall," Jade started. "I'm 24, I graduated from Hereford College of Arts. I'm saving up money to open up a photography studio. I also want to paint. Um, I have a mom, dad, and an older brother named Karl. He's married and has a little boy. I love them a lot ... um ... "

"It sounds like you have some goals to achieve," Debbie remarked. "It's always good to set goals, and know where you're going in life. If you're having trouble finding money, we could always give you a boost to help you start out."

"Really?" Jade asked, her cheeks flushed in excitement. Perrie, on the other hand, was staring at her mother suspiciously. 

"Of course my dear," Debbie chuckled. "After all, you make my Perrie very happy and this is in a way a thank you."