Before midnight.

•10•

[Sunday.]

-Grounded! Can you believe it?!
-I'm sorry P...
-I'm seventeen years old and I get grounded for two weeks for getting home fifteen minutes past my curfew. It's so stupid!
-At least your dad didn't find out about what you were actually doing!
-That's true. Thank you for having my back, Jade.

*Flashback*

'Why are girls always late?'
'You're lucky enough I managed to get out of the house. That's Jade. Jade, this is Alex.'
The girls jumped in the car making sure not to be seen.
'Jade, it's really nice to meet you, but I suppose you already know that this meeting never actually happened.'
'Don't worry, she can keep a secret.'
'Anything for my girl! But I need to know where you're taking her, you know, just in case you're a serial killer or something.'
'Jeez, chill man! It's a birthday surprise.'
Jade still wasn't convinced, so Alex continued. 'I promise you I'll let her text you once we get there, better?'
'That's a good boy.'
Alex drove to Jade's house, and kept driving for about ten minutes after dropping her off.
'We're here.'
'Ehm... and why are we here?'
The two got out of the car just in front of Alex's mum school.
'Because I'm giving you a tour.'
Perrie looked confused on why Alex took her there.
'I saw the disappointment on your face when Christian said he couldn't take you in. My brother really is no Prince Charming, is he?!'
'Leave him alone, poor Christian. How are we gonna get in? Isn't there an alarm or something?'
Alex waved the keys in front of Perrie's face, who convinced herself to get in.
They walked into every room, despite them not being finished yet. Alex took Perrie's hand, then put the other one on her eyes.
'You're gonna like the next one.'
Perrie couldn't help but smiling, a bit for the excitement, a bit because Alex's touch felt really nice.
Alex turned the light on in the room, then let Perrie look at the recording studio.
'Oh my, this is incredible!'
'I thought you might like it.' Alex smiled seeing Perrie so excited. He sat on a chair, looking at the microphone in the middle of the room.
'Go on.'
'What?'
'Sing something.'
'Absolutely not! I never sung in front of anyone... well, apart from Jade, my mum and my brother.'
'There's always a first time.'
Perrie blushed. 'No Alex... I... I can't do it. I'm not that good.'
'I don't believe you. Oh, c'mon! Please! If you sing now for me then you won't owe me a birthday present.' Perrie was still standing in front of him. Alex grabbed her hands and put his bottom lip out.
'Since when I owe you something?'
Alex kept looking at her with puppy dogs' eyes, so Perrie finally gave in. 'Right, but you're not allowed to judge me.'
'I'm sure you're good.'
Perrie went to sit behind the microphone and started to sing a-cappella. She kept her eyes closed the whole time, embarrassed by the fact that Alex was there in front of her. Once she finished singing, she opened her eyes but still didn't look at him.
'I told you, I'm not that good.'
Alex looked astonished. 'Are you kidding?! You're phenomenal, Perrie!'
'You're just saying it because I'm here in front of you.'
'Absolutely not! I'm saying it because it's true. You've got the voice of an angel.'
'Now I definitely know you're lying.' She laughed.
Alex walked towards her. She immediately looked down, so Alex moved her hair from her face, lifting up her chin. The two were now really close.
They stayed in silent for a while, just staring into each other's eyes.
'Is it bad if I want to kiss you?'
Perrie thought about pulling away, but didn't. 'Is it bad if I wouldn't stop you?'
Alex didn't need to hear anything more and immediately kissed the girl. She put her hands around Alex's neck, whilst he put both his hands on Perrie's hips, still sitting on a stool, feeling her closer to his chest.
Perrie broke up the kiss. 'What about Christian?'
Alex started to kiss her neck. 'What about him?'
'He's my boyfriend. And your brother.'
'He doesn't need to know.'
'It's still wrong, Alex.'
Alex sighed and stopped kissing her. 'Listen... I don't think you really like him. I...'
The door slammed open.
'What the hell are you doing here?'
Perrie's face dropped whilst Alex turned around.
'Dad? What are you doing here?'
'There's an alarm on the front door, then another one in the hall. You idiot!'
'Oh... I didn't know about the one in the hall.' Alex looked at Perrie shrugging and mouthing an apology.
Mark called Alex over. The two tried to whisper, so that Perrie wouldn't hear them but without much success.
'What were you thinking?!'
'I just wanted to show her the studio.'
'Without your mum's permission! You gave us a heart attack!'
'I'm sorry, I didn't think it would've been such a big deal.'
'And isn't that your brother's girlfriend?!'
Alex knew he couldn't recover from that.
'I won't tell your brother about it, but you'll have to face your mother. And I don't want you to see that girl again. Do you understand?'
Alex didn't reply, so his dad asked again. 'Do you understand, Alex?'
Alex nodded.
'You get in the car and go straight home. I'll take Perrie home.'
Perrie got in the car with Alex's dad, really embarrassed about the whole situation.
'I won't tell your dad about what happened young lady, and I won't tell Christian, but you need to stop playing around. I know what would happen if Christian finds out: he would blame his brother. Everyone would, and Alex doesn't need that on top of everything else. I'm hoping you understand.'
Perrie felt really bad. She walked in the house trying to be as quite as possible.
'Where have you been!'
'Out with Jade, you know that, dad.'
'I also know it's fifteen minutes past midnight. I asked you to be at home at midnight.'
'We lost track of time, then Jade's dad came to get her and I came back. It's not the end of the world.'
'It doesn't matter, you're late.'
'It's fifteen minutes dad, God!'
'One, ten, fourth five, you're still late. And you keep on talking back. Since you don't seem to be taking our rules seriously, maybe being grounded for a couple of weeks will help you with that.'
'What the hell! Are you serious?!'
'More than serious. Now get to your room.'

*Flashback ends*

-What did you tell Christian?
-That we were late last night. I feel so bad for him, I just couldn't stop crying thinking about him, Jade.
-What about Alex? Weren't you supposed to see him today?
-I probably shouldn't see him, but I think we should talk about what happened.
-Call him.

Perrie thought about calling or texting Alex, but felt the need to talk to him face to face.
She started to truly enjoy Christian's company but felt something completely different when Alex kissed her. And the boys' dad was right, she needed to make up her mind.

Perrie Edwards
<<Are you still free around three?>>
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
<<I though you were grounded?>>
Perrie Edwards
<<I only get twenty minutes to walk the dog. Meet me at the park.>>
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
<<Oh, you little rebel ;) you're gonna get me in trouble, I already know lol>>
<<But I'll be there x>>

[Good morning people :) how are you all? I'm really happy today so I thought I'd update lol I've been a bit busy lately so the writing process is being slowed down a little..
Here's the new chapter and finally a kiss!
What do you think about the whole situation? Let me know your opinions and impressions ;)
Peace and love xxx]