Golden

8 - A Change of Heart

"Show business is the bad guy. When both people are in show business, it's too much show business. It takes all of the light, so nothing else can grow." Ryan Gosling about his relationship with Rachel McAdams. 

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"I have a surprise for you," Perrie says as she looks into Jade's eyes. They are in Perrie's dressing room backstage at a venue in New York, where she will be performing tonight. Their vacation was cut short due to the fact that Perrie didn't feel safe there anymore, and they ended up flying back home the day after the unfortunate incident with the photographer. Jade didn't dare to ask much, but she knows that Perrie had a huge fight with her management team, and it has been a really hard week for her. Jade is glad to see her feeling better now, although she is less excited to see the drinks in her dressing room again. Perrie is almost always tipsy, and although it doesn't seem too harmful on the surface, it's definitely starting to worry Jade. But she's not going to bring it up right now, because she missed Perrie's smile this past week, and is currently in her arms as they both lie of the couch. 

"What is it?" Jade asks a she moves her head so that it's resting on Perrie's chest. Her heartbeat automatically quickens, because she never knows what to expect when it comes to Perrie. 

"Well, I didn't want to tell you about it until it's done in case it doesn't work out, but I'm buying a house near you," Perrie enthusiastically tells Jade. "I don't even know how this worked out so well, honestly. It's more like a duplex, two houses next to each other, so I'm just going to pick out the one i like the most and give the other one to security. I can't move in yet because they need to install some stuff to make it safe for me, since it's not a posh neighborhood. But I'm just so, so excited. I'll finally get to know what it feels like to live in a house that's more like an apartment than like a mansion, something that feels more normal. And I can't wait to live closer to you," she continues. 

Jade doesn't really know what to say. She is happy for Perrie, of course, because it really does feel like she has no reason to maintain a house as big as hers. However, at the same time, Jade can't help but stress out over her connection to this decision to move. Perrie and her have only been dating for a few weeks, and it feels like Perrie is wasting no time. Before Jade even has a chance to understand what's going on around her, Perrie already makes the next move; and since it's Perrie, Jade can't pull back, but now she begins wondering if she should.

"It's going to be great," Jade finally remembers to reply, hoping the silence didn't make Perrie nervous. It's the first time she feels like things are awkward between them, but luckily, it doesn't last long since they are interrupted by a knock on the door. Perrie tells the person to come in, and is told that she needs to go onstage. She holds onto Jade one more moment before they both stand up, and Perrie needs to go, but she doesn't know how to say goodbye. She wants to tell Jade that she loves her again, but at same time, doesn't want to stress her out over saying it back. So she eventually decides to settle for a kiss on the cheek, and a reminder. 

"Don't forget to warm up, Josh is here to help if you need anything," she says with a smile and leaves the room. A few days ago, it was proposed by Perrie's team that Perrie would bring Jade, Leigh-Anne and Jesy as surprise guests to one of her concerts for the debut of Breakup Song. Jade wasn't sure if she should agree, because it already feels like Perrie and her are as loud as they can be in front of the whole world. However, Sam thought it could really boost her career, and that it's an opportunity she shouldn't say no to. Sam is one of the few people Jade truly trusts, so she agreed. Leigh-Anne and Jesy are lovely, and they all practiced singing together today, but Jade feels like they haven't done enough to be prepared. There will be tens of thousands of people watching, and the last thing Jade would want to do is make a fool of herself. She spends the next forty minutes trying to feel as ready as she can, and finally, is watching Perrie perform as she is standing close by, yet still hidden from the crowd.