Strangers Or Not • j/p

#9

Perrie's POV

Suddenly, I hear a deep gasp. I can't hold myself back and turn my head just to see........ Jesy..

Jesy? Yep. She's here, standing a few feet away from me. Is Jesy the stranger I've been talking to for weeks? Is Jesy the woman who has a crush on me? Is Jesy the woman I suddenly feel butterflies in my stomach for?

No.. This can't be happening. Me and Jesy are best friends. We're bandmates. Our fans did ship us together, but I don't think anyone meant it could go this far. What we do on stage isn't meant seriously, everything was just for fun.

After a few minutes of standing and staring at each other in shock, I decide to approach her. I can barely move my legs, but somehow I manage to get closer to her.

"J-Jesy.." - I say, in an unintentional whisper. Wow I lost my voice too.

She doesn't say anything. Her face isn't moving, at all. It's like she froze from the sight of me.

I decide to speak up. We can't just stand like this in silence forever. We need to talk about this.

"Um.. Jes.." - I say and reach for her arm.

She blinks a few times and looks at me properly.

"It's okay.. we'll talk about it.. let's get coffee first" - I say in the most reasuring tone possible.

I don't want her to feel awkward. We're best friends after all. We've known each other for years.

After she gets less tensed and 'back to normal', we decide to get coffee from Starbucks and talk outside. We both could use some fresh and cold air to think straight.

We've been walking for fifteen minutes already and she still hasn't said a word. I thought that giving her time to get her thoughts together while I get my thoughts together would be a good idea.

But we can't solve this if neither of us speak. I feel like I have more courage to talk about this than she has. Is it because I'm not the one who fell so hard? It's weird cause usually I'm the one.

"Jesy.. I'm sorry.. but you need to talk to me"

She looks at me. I can't figure out if the look in her eyes is happy or sad. There's so much emotion in her stare but I can't figure out what it is, and it's killing me.

She takes a deep breath, and just when I think she's going to speak up, she stays silent.

"Please.." - I mumble.

"There's nothing to talk about.." - she suddenly says.

What does she mean there's nothing to talk about? There's a lot to talk about.

"W-what do you mean..?"

"Perrie I.. I had a feeling it's you all along... and when you sent that picture of your hair I just knew it's you.. I'm sorry.." - she says quietly.

"No no no, there's nothing to be sorry about.." - I reassure her

"I.. I have feelings for you.. and I'm really sorry about that.. this is only going to cause problems.." - she says

Well.. that's kinda true. It might cause problems. But I don't wanna think about that. It's honestly the least important thing right now. My best friend just confessed her feelings for me and I have no idea what to do. I mean, I can't really say I have feelings for her too, probably because I don't... yet.

It's not like I'll make myself fall in love with her just because out of pity. I don't pity her. And I don't want to. I care for her because she's been my best friend for years. She's the only person, exept Leigh and Jade, who knows literally the way I breathe.

"Jes.. I really don't know what to tell you.."

"You don't have to say anything.. It's alright.. You don't feel the same.. which I totally understand. I-"

"Honestly, I'd lie to you if I said I feel the same. But just.. I'm really confused.. I need some time to think about it clearly.."

"Okay.." - she says sighing.

"Um.. do you wanna go to my house..? We can order food and watch movies like we usually do. Well, consider it a sleepover"

She looks at me and smiles slightly.

"Sure" - she says.

We keep walking and eventually talked. I hate the fact that she's too shy to talk to me.

But why? She's never shy with people she likes, at least that's what I noticed with her exes.

We get home and make ourselves comfortable on my couch in the living room. I made popcorn and right now we're watching Notebook. We both love this film to pieces. Even though we've watched it a hundred times, we always cry our eyes out.

Suddenly, I feel her gaze on me, but I don't dare to turn my head to her. I can only make things worse for her, for our friendship, if I could still call it that.

A minute which feels like an hour passes and she still has her eyes on me. Is she waiting for me to turn my head?

Okay, I'll do it. I mentally slap myself to give myself some courage as I finally turn my head to look at her beautiful face.

She's not wearing much makeup, which I'm glad for because I know how much she had struggled with it. I'm glad she's finally confident to embrace her natural beauty.

Her green eyes are staring deeply into my blue ones as I notice she's getting closer and closer. She looks down at my lips, and I do too. Her plump lips that have some fading lip gloss on them part as I find myself leaning in.

A second later, before I realise, she connects our lips into a slow, yet passionate kiss. It took me a few seconds to respond and kiss her back. I feel her hand in my hair and I instinctively place my hand on the back of her neck, pulling her closer.

Wild butterflies explode in my stomach as she deepens the kiss and slides her tongue in my mouth. I let her explore my mouth for a few more seconds before I pull my head back, gasping for air.

She smiles slightly and strokes my hair slowly. I look up at her and notice her smile growing.

"..what..?"

"You're blushing.." - she says.

Suddenly, I feel the heat on my cheeks and look away from her. She lowers her hand and places it under my chin to make me look at her. Why am I feeling so embarassed?

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this moment.." - she says softly, caressing my cheek, making me smile.

"Jes.. I think I like you too.."

How do y'all like this part? There are a few chapters left. Tell me how would you like this short story to end?
Stay safe, love y'all ❤