Opposites Attract

3

Chapter 3: One Heart Emoji

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Perrie finds out that Jade is a year older than her. This information had taken her back since Jade looked far from 24 and to be honest, Perrie thought for a split second that she had asked a high schooler out by accident. She wouldn't know what to do if Jade hadn't even graduated yet.

Perrie didn't expect Jade to accept her dinner offer out of the blue and it might not have been the best idea to ask someone on a date when you're a broke college student. She was worried that someone as fancy looking as Jade might not like going to a cheap Chinese restaurant for a first date. It wasn't exactly a five star restaurant with wine and velvet dining chairs but the atmosphere was warm and cosy. That counts for something, right?

Jade didn't order anything too expensive on the menu, in fact she ordered one of the cheapest meals along with just water. She said that she had a small stomach and it didn't mean that she hated the food, she just can't take things down like others. Perrie on the other hand, loved food. But she might like Jade more than food right now, so she hid the fact that she could take about five different meals and still have room for dessert.

Perrie spent most of the dinner admiring Jade's features. She could tell that she was mixed but still didn't exactly know what ethnicity she was. Clearing her throat to get Jade's attention, she took a sip of water and spoke, "I'm not sure if this is offensive or not but are you mixed by any chance?"

Jade giggled, held her hand over her mouth to finish chewing and then nodded. "My mother is Yemeni and Egyptian, and my father is British."

Perrie takes a mental note of every information Jade gives her and attempts to calm her beating heart down. She had never been on a date with someone as pretty as Jade. Was this even a date? Or is she going to be friend zoned by a nice straight girl again?

"I'd hope this was a date." Jade takes another spoon full and watches Perrie's face turn.

Was she thinking out loud?

"Yes, you are." Jade gulps down half her glass of water and smiles.

Perrie gently puts her spoon down as her face turns bright red, "Damn, that's embarrassing.."

"You get flushed very easily." The brunette's comment made Perrie's ear match her cheeks.

Dinner felt like it was the fastest moment of Perrie's life and she thought of ways to spend more time with Jade but it was getting late and she had morning classes the next day. Perrie paid for their meal, even though Jade refused and said it would be cruel to not only mark her face but also make her pay for both their dinner. They walked around the city without a destination trying to buy more time together.

They talked about everything they could think of to ask on a first date, and the more she got to know Jade the more Perrie wanted to stay with her.

Subconsciously, they had walked back to the library but it was locked, of course. Most of the shops had closed by now.

"I'll walk you home, where do you live?" Perrie asked.

When Jade mentioned a neighbourhood that was known for wealthy people, Perrie tried to suppress her reaction but it didn't come unnoticed.

"It's fine, I can manage alone." Jade smiled warmly.

"No, I don't want you walking home alone, especially in the dark."

"Are you saying I can't handle myself?"

"No! I mean- well, I was just trying to-"

"Relax, I'm just playing with you." Jade laughed while Perrie once again, blushed.

Perrie could feel the back of her hand brush off Jade's and it was killing her. She wanted so badly to hold her hand but her own was shaking and sweaty. She didn't want Jade to think she always had clammy hands so she shoved them in her pocket and clenched her fists.

Maybe next time, she thought.

When they reached the front gate of the neighbourhood, Perrie finally asked the one question she had been itching to ask Jade all night. "Can I have your number? If you don't mind, that is.. You don't have to, but I'd really like it..."

"Yes. I'll give you my number." Jade grinned, pleased with her question.

After exchanging numbers, Perrie was delighted to hear that Jade had a good time.

"Let's do this again." She said before entering the rich neighbourhood gates.

Perrie sprinted home that night, jumping and fist pumping the air every now and then. A smile never left her face. She later spent the whole night debating on how many emojis she should put on Jade's contact name.

One heart emoji was enough because her name was perfect as it is.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

A/N: Stream the Holiday MV btw
- wasabist