Friends with benefits • a/p

Chapter 9

Perrie's POV

I'm sitting in my living room, waiting for the time to pass. He said he'd be here in 10 minutes. It's been half an hour and he's still not here.

I jump off of my seat when the bell goes off, and I go quickly to the door. I open it, but for my surprise, it's Luke, not Alex.

"Luke?" - I blurt out, confused. "I mean.. hi.." -I let him inside and close the door.

I know Alex is already late, but I wish he doesn't arrive before Luke leaves. I don't even want to imagine what would happen if he loses his temper and starts a fight.

He goes in the living room and sits down before he starts speaking. I follow him and do the same.

"So.. when I came home.. I got a call.. from my mum.. she's coming here from Australia to visit me for a few days.. and as the conversation went on.. I mentioned you.. and she said that she wants to meet you..."

I widen my eyes in surprise and slight shock, keeping myself quiet while trying to find the right words. The only thing I want to say right now is 'no'.

"I know it's still not the time.. and I didn't want to confirm anything before I talked to you about it.." - he continues.

No.. I can't let this keep going.. I don't want to meet his mum. We're not in a serious relationship. I don't even have strong feelings towards him. To be fair, I don't have any feelings towards him.

"Perrie please say something.." - he says and takes my hand.

"Uh.. well.. I d-don't know.." - I stutter.

"Alright then.. I'll give you some time to think.. but call me later, okay?" - he asks and I nod slowly. "Now I need to go and pick her up from the airport.. She likes to surprise me.." - he says and stands up.

I follow him to the door and before he leaves, he stops and turns to face me. He cups my face and places a gentle kiss on my lips. I close my eyes, wanting to pull away, but my body is too frozen to react. I don't even kiss back.

He smiles slightly and wraps his arms around me. "I'm sorry for coming and telling you like this.. I'm just really nervous.." - he mumbles.

"It's okay.. I'll text you.." - I say. I want to dismiss him as quickly as possible. I feel guilty, but not as much as I feel anxious.

"Alright, bye babe" - he says as he walks out the door.

"Bye.." - I mumble.

The moment Luke disappears down the stairs, Alex walks up. I gulp nervously as I see him. He heard us..

He walks up to me, his expression is the same as the one he had when he left this morning.

"Sorry I'm late.. it's the traffic.." - he says.

"It's okay.. do you want to come in..?" - I hold the door open for him.

"No, just say what you want and I'll go" - he says, without even blinking.

Ouch.

"Are you mad at me..?" - I ask him.

"No, why would I be mad? Because of the fact that you have a boyfriend and you call each other babe? Noo, of course not. I'm totally fine with that." - he says, pointing out the sarcastic parts.

I take a deep breath before I speak.

"Just hear me out.." - I say.

"I'm all ears" - he says, looking directly at me.