Don't Forget You're Mine || Jerrie

32

February 14, 2016

It is the most stressful Valentine’s day Jade has ever experienced. She had no idea what she should get Jed, since she does not know him that well. She ended up settling for a t-shirt, which is far from the romantic gift she would ideally like to give, but it is something. Then there is Perrie, which is technically Jade's lover, although Jade would only refer to her as a very close friend, in order to put her own mind at ease. Perrie deserves a Valentine's gift too, Jade knows that. She would love to go spend the day with Perrie, and stay in together, but Jade has lunch planned with her family and Jed at her flat. So Jade ended up settling for Perrie's present too, and sent her a bouquet of Violets accompanied by a sweet, apologetic note.

Jed is busy setting the table when a knock on the door is heard, and Jade walks over to get it. She is faced with her mother's warm smile and immediately pulls her into a hug. They don't get to see each other too often, so every opportunity is precious.

"Hi pet," Norma says after they let go. She enters the flat, and sees Jed in the kitchen. Jade had told her over the phone about how Perrie and her broke up and that she is seeing someone new, so Norma has a pretty good idea as to who this man is.

"Hi mom," Jade replies, then notices Norman's gaze on Jed. "Mom, this is my boyfriend, Jed. And Jed, that's Norma, my mom." Jade almost chokes on her own words. She does not feel comfortable referring to Jed as her boyfriend, but anything else would seem extremely odd, so she has no other choice. Jed puts down the plate he is holding and walks over to Norma. He offers his hand for her to shake, and she accepts it. They engage in small talk as Jade pretends to be focused on continuing to set the table, as she does not want to be a part of this conversation. Fortunately, her strategy seems to work.

A few minutes later, another knock on the door is heard, and Jade quickly answers it. She already knows who is waiting on the other side - Karl, Shireen, Leoni, and most importantly - little Karl. She gives everyone welcoming hugs and invites them inside, then officially presents Jed to them and them to Jed.

The meal goes just fine. Jade feels bad for the fact that her older brother and his wife are showing much more affection than her and her boyfriend that have only started dating a few weeks ago and should be all over each other, today especially. However, she is not bothered enough to do anything about it. She is good in her own personal space, and it seems like Jed is mostly indifferent, too.

After lunch ends, everyone goes to the living room. Jade and Jed are sitting next to each other on the couch as little Karl approaches them and starts talking to Jade. He tells her about what he had made for her out of Play-Doh, and how he is going to show it to her when she comes home. Jade promises to visit as soon as she can, then changes the subject of the conversation.

"Karl, did you know that Jed is in a band? He plays the guitar, and he's really good at it," she tries to make some sort of connection between the two. Getting along with little Karl is a threshold condition in order to date Jade, and this is Jed's chance to prove himself.

"Jed?" Little Karl asks with a hint of confusion. Jed smiles in amusement, and Jade realizes that the official introduction earlier must have flown over his head.

"Yeah. He's my boyfriend," Jade explains again and points at Jed using her thumb. Little Karl's face light up after a moment.

"Like Perrie," he says. Perrie's name being mentioned makes Jade's heart beat insanely fast. Little Karl's speech is still developing, which means he does not speak completely clearly, and Jade hopes she had misheard his words.

"Huh?" She asks.

"Like Perrie is your girlfriend!" Little Karl exclaims. Jade can tell that he is proud of himself for remembering this, but she is very desperately looking for a way out now. She is extremely nervous, shifting her gaze between Jed and little Karl to asses their reactions. "You said that on Christmas, when I made her a drawing!"