You’ve Got it Bad

Six

Perrie's POV 

To say that I hated Jimmy would've been an understatement. A couple of weeks had passed since our little altercation, and we've barely spoken two words to each other. I didn't really care about him, but sadly, neither have Jade and I, and she's been here nearly every day. I can only assume he's forcing her to stay away from me somehow, which only makes my blood boil more. 

The most interaction I've gotten from her is a small smile here and there when she's passing in and out of Jimmy's room. I missed her so much. I also found myself wishing I could go back in time and jab that fork in Jimmy's back. 

I felt bad for her though, because it seemed Jimmy had been using her and controlling her life somehow, and she just put up with it. His remarks when we fought made me afraid that he was abusing her. I never saw any bruises or anything, so I felt a little better.

They never left his bedroom, and I'm pretty sure the only reason she was passing in and out of his room was because he wanted to have s*x with her.

It hurt me to see this beautiful young girl with her entire life ahead of her being used and abused by a total piece of s**t, and not even realizing it. Then again, maybe she did realize it and just didn't know how to get out. I desperately needed to talk to her, but there was no way she was gonna even look in my direction when Jimmy was around. 

I tried texting her on different occasions but she never replied, although I would see the check mark indicating that she had read the message. My heart sank every time, but my brain knew that this wasn't her avoiding me. This was her somehow being manipulated and controlled by Jimmy. 

As I sat there on the couch, deep in thought about Jade, and how much I missed her smile, her hair, her slick comments, and her scent, Jimmy burst out of his room, replacing the butterflies in my chest with pure rage and fire.

"I'm going to a party across town. Probably won't be back tonight!" He yelled to no one in particular, because I'm sure no one other than his father actually cared. And he was at work. I rolled my eyes as he grabbed his jacket and walked out the door. Then a thought occurred to me. 

Maybe Jade had to work tonight. 

This was my opportunity to get her alone. As soon as I saw him pull out of the driveway, I raced up the stairs to get dressed. I opted for something a little more laid back, because this visit wasn't about me getting her to like me. This was about me making sure she was okay.

"Going to get a bite to eat, back later mom." I kissed her on the cheek and dashed out of the door before she could get a word in.

I hopped in my car and raced to the diner as quickly and safely as I could in the pouring rain, and sat there in the parking lot. 

Come on. Jade. Please be here. 

I scanned the diner through the large windows for several minutes looking for her. Hoping and praying that tonight was one of her late nights. Just as I was about to give up and go home, I saw her emerge from the kitchen, tying her apron in place. A sigh of relief, or content, or desire, I'm not really sure which one, escaped my lips. 

There she was. Beautiful as ever. I watched her walk over to a table near the window to take someone's order. The way she smiles and the attention she gives just makes her all the more beautiful. Inside and out. 

She's super sweet. She just radiates light and love, and I can feel all of her rays in the dead of the night, across a parking lot, in the rain, through two glass windows. Another sigh left my lips before I even realize it was happening.

Once she disappeared into the back, I took it as my chance to build the courage to go inside and find a table. It's now or never. I ran across the parking lot, throwing my jacket over my head in an attempt to block the rain. Once inside, I quickly gathered myself and slid into the booth nearest the door. 

I sat there staring so hard at the kitchen door, waiting for Jade to come out, I didn't  even realize there was a young boy standing in front of me with a notepad.

"Miss? I asked if you were ready to order." He smiled and lowered his notebook.

I took a peek at his name tag. "I'm sorry Luke, I was actually looking for my friend. Have you seen Jade around?"

"Yes of course, let me go and get her for you. In the meantime, would you like some coffee or tea or water while you wait?" He smiled.

Suddenly, as the nerves I left in the car had finally come in and join me at the table, my hands were shaking and my throat was as dry as the Sahara Desert. "Water please. Thank you."

He walked away and returned quickly with a glass of water. "I'll go and tell Jade you're looking for her." He smiled once more and pivoted on his heels.

I was nervously stirring the ice in my water with my straw when I felt the energy in the room shift. I know it sounds crazy, but that's literally the only way I can describe it. Suddenly, I was overtaken by that warmth that I felt in the car as I looked up and saw Jade standing across the room. 

Her eyes met mine and she looked somewhere between happy and terrified to see me. After a few seconds of shock passed across her features, she finally smiled. And not one of the small smiles that she'd been giving me that don't go all the way to her eyes. This time, she was smiling from ear to ear. 

After she took the food she was holding over to the table by the window, she made her way over to me. I tried to keep my eyes on hers but they did their own thing and danced up and down her body. They finally landed on her hips and I think I actually licked my lips. 

Shit. I hope she didn't see that. 

I loved watching her hips glide toward me from across the room. I finally dragged my eyes from her body to meet hers and I noticed a smirk on her face. 

Shit. She definitely saw that. Why am I so bad at this?

"Pez, what are you doing here?!" She half yelled, clearly excited to see me. She pulled me out of my seat and into a hug. I melted into her embrace. It was warm and smelled like vanilla. I could tell she missed me too, and it made me smile.

She held on for a lot longer than I expected her to, but I wasn't complaining. When she pulled away, I noticed her smile fade as she began looking around nervously.

I quickly noticed her uneasiness and realized it could only be for one reason. "He's not here, Jade."

She looked into my eyes and her face softened. "I'm sorry, Perrie. It's just-"

"It's okay, Jade. You don't need to explain anything to me." I said, cutting her off and glancing at her face and neck for any signs of abuse. Thankfully, I didn't see any.

She exhaled a shaky breath. "I'm sorry." She said again, looking at the floor.

I hated seeing her like this. This wasn't the Jade I was used to. "Hey, it's okay. Really. How have you been? Can you sit?"

She looked sad again. "I've been okay, but I can't sit, I'm so sorry."

It had to be because of Jimmy because the dinner wasn't crowded at all. "When are you off?"

"I'm done in 30 minutes." She replied, looking at the clock on the wall that read 12:27am.

"Is it cool if I wait around for you? I need to talk to you." I asked.

 "Sure." I watched the color drain from her gorgeous tanned skin as she looked as if she had seen a ghost.

I sat there and waited until her shift was over and she finally joined me at the table. She looked exhausted and in no mood to talk. She sat down across from me and covered her mouth as a tiny yawn escaped. She was so adorable.

She just sat there and stared at me and I did the same. I was lost in her chocolatey brown eyes, that were now glossy as she let out another small yawn. A smile spread across my face at the image.

"I've really missed that smile, and those ocean eyes." She sighed and smiled.

I felt my cheeks heat up to match the warm feeling inside that her words gave me. Even though I know she probably meant nothing by them.

"I just wanted to check in on you. I haven't really heard from you in weeks. I've been worried." I said.

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Perrie. I've really missed you. More than you know. But your brother-"

"He is NOT my brother!" I yelled, a little bit louder than necessary, causing her to flinch. "I'm so sorry, Jade."

"It's okay. I'm the one who's sorry. Either way, he's pissed at you for something and doesn't want me around you." She sighed.

"And you just listened to him that easily? Who is he? I thought we were friends." I was honestly a bit hurt. 

"We are friends, Perrie. It's just- it's a really long story." She looked away.

"I have time." I said, staring at her until she met my eyes.

She let out a sigh. "I want to tell you all about it. I really do, but I just don't have the energy tonight. I'm sorry." She dropped her head and started fidgeting with her bracelet.

It took all of the courage in the world to do what I did next, but it literally gutted me to see her like this. So defeated. Her beautiful bright chocolate eyes were dull and muddy.

I reached across the table, placing my hand under her chin and lifted her face so that our eyes met again.

"Hey, you don't have to tell me everything tonight but please don't shut me out. Even if it's about him. Talk to me okay? Whatever it is you don't ever have to face it alone." I wanted nothing more than to tell her that I was in love with her and that I could treat her so much better than Jimmy could, but that would be selfish of me. And that's not what she needs right now.

She searched my eyes a little bit longer. When she didn't reply, I lowered my hand back to the table. We sat in silence for a moment before she yawned again. She must be exhausted, and here I am, keeping her from getting home because god knows when I'll be this close to her again.

"I need to ask you something." I said softly. She looked up at me. "Does he hit you?"

She looked terrified. Like she'd seen a ghost. "No." 

Something felt off about her reply. It was hesitant.

"You know you can talk to me, Jade. And that you don't have to put up with that shit." I frowned.

"I know. Thank you. I should get home." She said, changing the subject and making me sad all at once. 

I looked at the clock again and it read 1:28am. I sighed. "Yeah, it's pretty late. Did you drive?"

"No. Umm, something happened to my car." She replied, fidgeting with her bracelets again.

I wondered if it had anything to do with Jimmy, but I dared not ask.

"Jimmy was supposed to pick me up, but he called hours ago and said he wasn't coming. That he was going to some party or something. So, I'm on the bus tonight." She continued. 

"Let me drive you." I offered.

"I couldn't ask you to do that, Pez. I'll be fine. The bus should be coming soon." She replied.

"But you didn't ask, I offered. Please, Jade. It's nearly 2am. It's far too late for you to be out on your own trying to get home. Sickos are out there." I said 

She cracked a smile and raised an eyebrow at me. "And how do I know you're not one of those sickos, ocean eyes?"

I smiled in return, happy to see hers again. "I guess you'll just have to take your chances."

"Well played, Edwards. Let me just grab the rest of my stuff from my locker. I'll be right back." She smiled.

Again, I found myself watching her walk away. Lost in her hips. To say she was sexy was an understatement. Then it suddenly hit me that that gorgeous body of hers was about to be in my car. 

Oh s**t, is it even clean? Tell me I don't have potato chip bags and Starbucks cups all over.

I get to drive Jade home tonight! I had no idea how far her apartment was from here, but I was surely going to cherish whatever amount of time I got alone with her in that little space.