Golden

20 - The Right Choice

"I'm in a good place and I'm thankful for the friendship [Deryck] and I still have. I'm very healthy right now, and focused on my personal life and career. I'm just growing up - and I'm really excited about it." - Avril Lavigne about her relationship with Deryck Whibley.

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A change of scene can mean a lot, Jade should know that by now. Her relationship with Perrie has been different in Los Angeles compared to how it was in New York, or Paris, or anywhere else. However, she never expected to feel the way she does about Perrie coming to Indiana. Jade feels like a schoolgirl as she waits at the airport for Perrie's flight to land. She took a commercial one, and Jade couldn't hate this decision more at the moment because it's making it way too hard to recognize her face among the crowd. Even though she didn't get much sleep last night, Jade's eyes are constantly scanning the people around her, and finally, she spots a familiar combination of wide sunglasses and a dark wig. Jade doesn't waste any time before running to her and hugging her as tightly as she can, taking in her smell, allowing herself to acknowledge how much she had missed Perrie. They each whisper hi in the other's ears, without letting go, because it has been way too long since they felt each other's touch.

"I don't ever want us to be apart for so long again. I wouldn't be able to handle that. If I knew where you were, I would have flown out here a long time ago," Perrie quietly tells Jade with the brightest smile on her face. Jade planned to say so much, but her mind is blank. All she can think of is that she feels the exact same, and that she doesn't even need to say that out loud for Perrie to know. Without any warning, Perrie takes Jade's hand and expects Jade to lead her outside, where the car is. This simple gesture catches Jade completely off guard, and for a moment, she is unable to move. It reminds her of everything they shared, their most genuine moments, all of the things they have been through. Only a moment later, her greatest hope is crushed as she remembers that they will never get to continue their story. Perrie moved on, it's too late. Jade doesn't have the right to expect anything, nor should she have any hope at all. As Perrie's friend, she needs to respect her decisions, as painful as they might be.

It is only a few seconds later when Jade can focus again. She leads Perrie towards the parking lot, where she parked her parents' car, and notices that for once, Perrie's bodyguard isn't Alex. Taking his place is a guy Jade has seen a couple of times around Perrie's house, and she is relieved to know that Alex will not be joining them on this trip. She is not completely sure where Alex stands now that he is both being hired by Perrie and also dating her, but she doesn't like any of it. If he didn't already, he is going to learn, sooner or later, that one's personal life shouldn't be mixed with their professional one. Perrie is different around this new bodyguard, she is more quiet and reserved. While she could be unapologetically herself in Alex's presence, it doesn't seem like she fully trusts the current security guy yet, so she stays silent throughout the car ride. Above the music playing on the radio, there is a heavy silence between the three in the car, and Jade tries to appear as if she is fully focused on driving in order to avoid it. Just when she thinks the situation couldn't get worse, Breakup Song starts playing on the radio and makes everything even more awkward. By now, Jade has a lot to say, and she can't wait to spend time with Perrie alone.

They get to Jade's parents' house rather soon afterwards, and Jade isn't sure of how to take it from there. She wants Perrie to meet her parents, it is long overdue and her parents have made it clear they would like to get to know Perrie when she arrives. At the same time, though, she can't wait to take Perrie to the forest, and show her all the Periwinkles, and actually get to talk to her.

"I promise I'll introduce you to my parents, but can we go for a walk first? Just the two of us?" Jade asks in a hesitant voice and is immediately assured by Perrie's silent, warm approval. She tells her bodyguard to bring her luggage into the house, and that she will be fine on her own for a little while. Jade and her get out of the car, and when they are far enough from the house, all feels right again.