Before midnight.

•11•

[Sunday.] 3.02pm
'I can't believe you're grounded.' Alex laughed.
'Tell me more! I'm fuming!'
'Sorry for making you late.'
'It's fine, it's not your fault. I shouldn't have come in the first place.'
Alex tried to mask his disappointment. 'Do you regret it?'
'Under numerous aspects, yes.'
'Listen, I'm sorry about... about that kiss. I know it was wrong and I shouldn't have done it. Sometimes I just don't think about consequences.'
'As I said, it's not your fault. I wasn't thinking straight either.'
The two walked in silence for a while.
Perrie found the courage to break that silence. 'Before your dad interrupted us, you were saying something. What was it?'
'Oh. Nothing, it's a bit pointless now.'
'I want to know. You said you don't think I really like Christian...'
'Because I don't. I've never seen you looking at him the way you looked at me last night. He's not what you need.'
'And how do you know what I need?'
Alex suddenly stopped and pulled Perrie closer to him, face to face. 'You need someone that would break every rule for you. Someone who makes you feel safe and protected. Someone who finds a solution to your problems instead of just offering you a shoulder to cry on.'
Perrie felt breathless for a moment. His voice was so warm and strong at the same time. Alex then continued. 'But it doesn't matter anyway. Christian is the best guy I know and he's really happy with you. And me an you, it could never be.'
Perrie pulled away and kept walking, clearly annoyed.
'Perrie trust me, I'm doing you a favour.'
'What game are you playing at, Alex? First you tell me I shouldn't be with your brother, then you say that me and you will never be a thing and that I should stay with him.'
'There's too many things you don't know about me, and it's better off like this. Your dad would never let you see me. My dad already warned me about leaving you alone.  Christian would be devastated. He's about to get a good deal with a team, I'm worried that if he finds out about what happened, he would screw things up, just like I did. He's not the right person for you, but neither am I. And between me and him, you're definitely better off with him.'
Perrie smiled. 'You play the part of the bad boy when in reality you're very considerate. Why don't you let anyone see that?'
'Because people don't care. I told you, people don't forget. But with you, it's different. You got the best out of me in no time. That's why it's really hard for me to tell you that it would never work between us.'
Perrie wanted to say a million things: she wanted to ask him what happened in the past, say that she didn't care and that she felt in heaven when he kissed her the night before, say that he got straight to the point and she didn't feel all those things for Christian. But deep down, she knew he was right, so she said nothing at all.
'I know I'll be contradicting myself now, but I'd still like to be your friend, P.'
Friends. Perrie never despised that word more.
'Sure, friends. I better get home now, my twenty minutes are almost over. Bye Alex.'

Perrie walked home in a mix of anger, sadness, disappointment and relief. She couldn't figure out Alex's real intentions: did he really like her? Or the night before was just a bit of fun for him? Was he really giving up on her for Christian? One thing Perrie was sure of, she didn't want to be just his friend.
The girl walked in the house ready to go straight to her room.
'Perrie, is that you?'
'Yes, Jane. I'm getting in the shower.'
'Can you come here for a second?'
Perrie reluctantly walked in the kitchen, ready for another lecture.
'How are you, sweetheart?'
Angry, upset, sad. 'Fine, you know. I'm loving being on house arrest.'
Jane smiled and shook her head. 'Your dad only has your best interest at heart. You know, you weren't the only nervous one when you decided to move in. Your dad was so happy you even considered the idea of living with us, but he was scared to mess up. I know he's never been the perfect fatherly figure but he's trying his best. He just doesn't really know how to approach you and how to deal with teenagers crisis. He's also frustrated because he knows, we know, how much you're missing your mum and we can't do anything to help. Give him a chance, Perrie. He really loves you.'
Perrie didn't expect to have a heart to heart with Jane. She had always been really nice, even too nice at times, and Perrie always found her fake, trying to impress everyone. But not that time.
'I talked to your dad, your punishment has gone down to just one week. You'll be free next Saturday.'
Perrie smiled from head to hear. 'Oh Jane, you're the best! Thank you so much!' She hugged her, then Jane continued.
'Just in time for the big party.'
'What party?'
'It's Wendy Chamberlain's birthday on Saturday and she's having a party. I thought you might enjoy coming with us and see Christian for a bit.'
Perrie's happiness quickly vanished, leaving her even more confused. 'Yes. Yeah, of course. Well, if he wants me there. I'll go and have that shower now. Thank you, Jane, for everything.'

9.47pm

-Incoming call from Christian.-
-Hey.
-Hey beautiful. How are you?
-Ehm, you know, just had the most boring day of my life.
-Oh, I'm sorry P. I know I wasn't supposed to see you today anyway, but I miss you already.

Perrie smiled on the other end of the phone.

-You're so sweet. How was football with your dad?
-Great, we had a good time. I got to meet lots of important people. You know, it's good to get to know people, especially if I get that deal.
-I'm so excited for you, you deserve it!
-How do you know? You never even watched me play.

Christian laughed.

-I just know. But I promise you I'll come to watch your next match.
-Thanks babe, but I don't think you will. My next match is on Sunday.
-Well, it's your lucky day then, because Jane told me earlier on that she convinced dad to set me free in a week.
-So does that mean I'll get to see you on Sunday?

Perrie was relieved Christian said Sunday and didn't mention about the party.

-Yes, I'll be there, cheering you on.
-I can't wait. Listen, I don't know if you already heard, but my mum is having a party on Saturday night and she said I could invite a few friends. I wanted to ask you earlier on but I didn't know if your dad would let you come. Do you think that, since they're coming...
-Jane was talking about it earlier. I'll definitely ask them, I'd love to come.

Perrie felt bad lying to Christian. She, in fact, did not want to go as she didn't want to find herself face to face with Alex again. But what excuse could she make up?

[Hello everyone :) how are you all? xx
New chapter.. what are Perrie and Alex going to do now? Are they actually gonna be friends?
I feel a bit sorry for Christian lol
Next, is the party!
Let me know what you think about the chapter ;)
Thank you very much for your support and for the 1k visualisations:) peace and love to everyone xxx]