Before midnight.

•5•

[Tuesday.]
'Dad! Dad...'
Perrie pokes her head in the living room but saw no one was there. She then walked in the kitchen.
'Jane, is dad not here yet?'
'No, he's still at work. Do you need anything sweetheart?'
'I'm just going to walk the dog if that's okay.'
Jane lifted her head up from her laptop. 'Are you going with Christian again?'
'Maybe. Why, does it make a difference?' Perrie sunk her teeth in an apple, sitting next to Jane.
'No, I just noticed you've been spending a lot of time together since you finished college for the summer.'
'We just walk the dogs together, nothing special.'
'I know, I know. His mum told me he's been talking a lot about you at home. She thinks he really likes you.'
'Yeah, I like him too. I'm probably not as into him as much as he's into me, but he's nice.'
Jane smiled. 'Did he kiss you?'
'Oh Jane, gross! No he didn't, and I wouldn't run to tell you and dad anyway.'
Jane shrugged. 'I'm just saying, I know what seventeen years old want to do and...'
'I'll stop you there. My mum already gave me the talk about the bees and the flowers ages ago so you don't have to worry about it. I've got no intentions of doing anything inappropriate, so you can all just calm your horses.'
Jane went back to her laptop.
'So, are you really close to the Chamberlain family then?'
'Not really close. We've been neighbours for a few years, they're nice and polite. Me, Wendy and a few other ladies have a coffee morning once a fortnight. Your dad and Mark mainly talk about football, although they used to be quite good friends, before all the accidents with their son.'
Perrie was dying to ask Jane about these "accidents", but she knew that if she had let it for long enough, Jane would have talked anyway. She never missed the chance to gossip about family and friends.
'Alex has always been trouble. Your dad never liked him, but to be honest, I don't think many people in the neighbourhood like him. When he was younger he was always causing trouble. Playing loud music outside every hour of the day and night, smoking, having parties when his parents were away, the police were involved once...' Perrie could tell from Jane's voice that she was stopping herself from saying something. 'He grew up tough, and he seems to have calmed down a bit. Actually, from what Jonnie said the other day, he might still be up to no good, who knows. Anyway, luckily Christian is the complete opposite of his brother.'
'Christian definitely doesn't look like the kind of guy who would do such things.'
'That's why your dad gave you permission to see him.'
As if Perrie needed permission from her father.
'Perrie, honey, you still haven't told us what do you want to do for your birthday. It's in two weeks, we haven't got much time.'
'I don't want to do anything. It's just my seventeenth birthday, I can celebrate next year when I turn eighteen, makes more sense. I'll probably just have the girls around for dinner if that's okay.' Perrie didn't wait for a reply. She called her dog and left the house.

Perrie and Hatchi, her little dog, were waiting in front of Christian's house. Perrie had her headphones on but she looked up when she heard footsteps coming towards her.
'Oh that's why Christian changed three times. I thought it was a bit weird just to walk the dogs. I should've known you were going with him.'
'Do you always come out of nowhere to scare the crap out of me?'
'Do you always wake up on the wrong side of the bed, sunshine?! You're the one standing in front of my house! You know, my brother keeps telling us how nice you are, but I'm pretty sure he's lying at this point.'
'I am very nice... to him. Have you ever done or said anything to me to make me be nice to you?'
Alex smirked. 'No, but I could if you want.'
'I'm fine, thanks.'
Alex opened his car door. 'Let me know if you change your mind.' He hopped in the car and drove off.
Perrie kept her eyes on him the whole time, and he noticed that. He was definitely the best looking guy she had ever put her eyes on, with his curls and his muscly shoulders. She had already made up her mind from all the things her family had told her about Alex, but yet she was so curious to know more about that mysterious boy.
'Hey Pez. Are you alright?'
Perrie turned around to find Christian standing there next to her.
'Oh hey. Sorry, I was... your brother has a nice car.'
'Yeah not too bad. Shall we go?'

-What have you been up to today then Miss Edwards?
-Not much. I walked the dogs with Christian this morning, me and Caitlin baked cakes in the afternoon. This is gonna be the longest summer of my life.
-Don't be so dramatic. I'm sure you'll survive. We can see each other at the weekend. If you're not busy with Christian...
-I doubt it. And anyway, I will never be too busy to see you girls.
-How are things going with him?
-I don't know Jade. He's sweet and he clearly likes me. And I know we've been only talking for a few days, but I feel like he's a bit too nice. I need a bit more excitement in my life.
-Give him time, you're just getting to know each other. He might surprise you.
-Yeah, I'm not sure about that. Also...
-What?
-Nothing.
-I want to know now.
-I... right, you can't tell anyone, especially Jesy because she would tell Darren and he would tell Christian. I can't stop thinking about someone else.
-OMG another boy?! Who is he!
-Alex, Christian's brother.

[Hello my lovelies :) How are you all doing? :)
I'm feeling a bit rough today but luckily I had the chapter ready so I thought I'll publish it now :)
Perrie finally admitted her interest towards Alex! Let the fun begin haha
Let me know what you think ;) thank you to everyone who's taking an interest in this story xxx
Peace and love to everyone xxx]