You’ve Got it Bad

Seven

Perrie's POV 

Once we got in the car, I noticed Jade was just sitting there staring out into the rain. I've never really been one to speak out about much of anything, but it twisted me up inside to see the bubbly and fun Jade I met and fell for, so serious and sad. 

"Penny for your thoughts?" I asked, breaking the silence and hoping she would let me know what was going on in that gorgeous head of hers.

She continued to stare out the window. "I'm just really tired." 

She sighed and I got the feeling that she didn't just mean sleepy tired. She literally looked like she was exhausted and like she hadn't rested properly in ages. Like she'd been fighting battles that no one even knew about, all on her own. 

"Once we get you home, you can get some rest." I tried to sound reassuring because I didn't really know how to approach it.

"Yeah, for sure." She gave me a half-hearted smile. Another one that didn't reach her eyes.

I sighed to myself as she closed her eyes, and we continued the drive in a comfortable silence.

Once the GPS told me I arrived at her apartment I put the car in park. "Okay, Jade. Home sweet home." I looked over to see her eyes still closed. 

I watched the rise and fall of her chest and it calmed me for some reason. She was at peace. Whatever demons she was suddenly fighting every day have gone inside for the night and she can finally get her energy back. I hated to wake her, but I know she had to be uncomfortable. 

I tapped her leg. "Hey, Jade. We're here."

Her eyes snapped open and she looked around. "Oh man, did I fall asleep? I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, Jade. No need to apologize." I smiled.

I waited for her to get her bag and get out of the car so I could make sure she made it in okay, but as soon as she reached for the door handle, she dropped her hand and looked at me.

Oh s**t, what did I do?

"Thank you for bringing me home, Pez. It's really late, do you want to just come up?" She asked.

My breath caught in my throat. I couldn't believe she was asking for my company. I looked at her and I could see something pleading in her eyes. Almost like a cry for help. Like she didn't want to be alone again. Since the day we met, her eyes always seemed to speak volumes to me.

"I don't want to bother you, Jade. You're tired and need your sleep." I replied.

She looked down at her hands and then back to me. "I would sleep a lot better knowing you weren't out this late, in the rain, trying to get home because of me. It's pouring out here, please come inside."

Does this mean that she actually cares about me too?

I thought about it for a moment. I know it shouldn't have taken any thought at all because this is Jade we're talking about, but I really didn't want to be a bother. 

"Okay, just let me call my mom." I said, and took out my phone.

I told my mom that I would be staying at a friends house for the night and that I was safe. I also asked her to please not mention my whereabouts to Jimmy, not that they talked much anyways. What I didn't need was him blowing up at Jade for no reason. I didn't trust him at all now when it came to her.

We got out of the car and took the stairs up to the 2nd floor. Once Jade twisted the key in the lock and swung the door open, I was taken aback.

Her apartment was beautiful. It screamed "Jade" and I fell in love with it. Everything inside was clean and had modern decor. 

I noticed a plethora of art canvases leaning against different walls, on the walls, and on easels. I noticed one watercolor in particular that was leaning against the wall. 

It stood almost floor to ceiling and it looked like she spent a lot of time on it. The painting was of a little boy who appeared to be 3-4 years old. He was a beautiful little boy, I could swear he even looked a lot like Jade. The colors blue and green that she used kind of gave me a sad feeling. 

As I looked around, all of her work was beautiful. She noticed me staring at the one painting. I wondered who the little boy was. "Can I get you some water or something?"

I turned around to see her yawn again. Poor thing. "Do you have tea?"

"Yeah, let me put some on." She started to walk over to the kitchen but I stopped her.

"Hey, why don't you let me make it while you go get ready for bed?" I smiled.

"Okay. Everything you'd need is in there." She returned my smile and disappeared into the back.

By the time I was finished making the tea and had it poured into two mugs, Jade reappeared with wet curly hair and in her cozy onesie pajamas (with the feet). I had to admit, while I've only ever seen Jade with her makeup on, her raw beauty was on an entirely different level. It was undeniable and it quickly became my favorite thing. She smiled as we both grabbed our mugs.

"Thanks, Perrie. For all of this." She said as she brought her mug to her lips and took a sip. "And you make good tea." She smiled into her cup.

"No worries, Jade." I smiled.

Again we fell into a comfortable silence as she drifted off to who knows where, while sipping her tea, and I just stared into my cup. I wondered if she could tell that it was her that I was thinking about. 

I wanted to learn all about her. I wanted to study her down to every last detail. I wanted to learn about all of the things that make her sad and then all of the things that make her happy, and spend the rest of my life doing the latter. 

"Are you okay staying the night? I'm sorry, I just don't really want you out this late, if you know what I mean. But I also don't want you to be uncomfortable." She looked up at me.

I understood that, but again I got the feeling that she also just didn't want to be alone. Either way, I wasn't going anywhere. I wanted to be there for her in any way I could. "Of course not, your couch looks big enough for me."

She put her hand up. "Nonsense. You can take the bedroom, it's way more comfortable. I'll sleep out here."

"I couldn't possibly put you out of your own bed, Jade. I can sleep on the-"

"This isn't an argument we're having, Pez. I'm sleeping out here and that's final." Something in her eyes and her tone told me I'd better not argue, and it admittedly kind of made me hot.

"Fine then, looks like we're both gonna be sleeping out here then." I shrugged.

She sighed and it turned into a smile. "You're impossible, ocean eyes."

Before today, I hadn't heard that name in a while. I missed it. It set the butterflies in my tummy free. I smiled in return, feeling like I had won.

"But." She continued. "You are absolutely sleeping in the bed, if I have to tranquilize you to get you there."

I laughed out loud. "Jade I'm-"

"You think I'm funny?" She asked, setting her empty mug down on the counter. She started to walk toward me and I didn't know how to react. I set my cup down as well and started backing away. The further I moved, the faster she moved.

Once my back was completely against the wall, she reached out and started to tickle me. 

Damn my tickleishness! 

"Ahhhh, Jade!" I screamed as I squirmed against the wall to escape her. 

"You still think I'm funny?" She asked, not lightening up one bit. I guess my hysterical laughter was funny to her because she couldn't contain her laughter either. I was so happy to see that smile and hear that laugh of hers, even if it was at my expense.

Once I was sure I couldn't take anymore, I screamed. "Jade, stop it I'm gonna pee my pants!"

She threw her hand over my mouth and continued to tickle me mercilessly. "Say you're sleeping in the bed, and this all stops."

I was reaching my limit. My bladder was gonna explode any minute. "JADEEEE!" I screamed into her hand.

"Say it, Perrie. Or else I'm not gonna stop. I can do this all night!" She said in between laughs, and releasing my mouth.

"Fine FINE!!" I yelled. She dropped both hands, stepped back and folded her arms.

"I'm gonna need to hear you say it." She said while shifting her weight to one side.

"Okay, you win. I'll sleep in the bed! Now where's the bathroom?!" I couldn't wait for her to respond so I took off running down the hall. I quickly found the bathroom on my own and all I heard was her cackling from the kitchen. 

I smiled to myself because it felt good to see her temporarily forget about whatever it is that's troubling her, and genuinely laugh and smile. As I said, I'm glad that I could be that light for her, even if it was almost at the expense of my bladder. She's gonna pay for that though. 

When I returned to the kitchen to clean up, Jade had already put everything away and was spreading a blanket across her couch. I felt bad again.

"Jade, are you sure you don't want me to just sleep there? I really don't mind." I asked.

"Did you not get enough?" She asked, raising her brow.

"Fine." I rolled my eyes and folded my arms.

"Careful, ocean eyes. They could get stuck like that." She laughed and so did I.

I finally let out a yawn. "Alright. Well goodnight, Jade." I turned to walk towards Jade's bedroom.

"Night, Perrie." She crawled into her pink blanket and I turned the light off.

———————-

I had to have been laying there for a couple of hours trying to sleep. Between the shock and excitement I felt because I was laying in Jade's bed, and me being worried about her, there was no way I could sleep. I tossed and turned for hours wrapped up in her sheets. They were soft and smelled like her- like vanilla, and I couldn't get enough of it. Suddenly, I heard a quiet knock on the door. 

"Come in." I said.

I turned over to see a weary looking Jade, dragging her pink blanket and holding her pillow under her arm. It was honestly the cutest thing I'd ever seen. She yawned. 

"Hey, Perrie. Did I wake you?" She asked.

"No, what's up?" I asked, sitting up.

She came over and sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm just having a hard time staying asleep. Plus it's cold and lonely out there. Would it make you uncomfortable if I came in here? I could just put my blanket on the floor."

I shook my head. "Jade, please. Of course not. There's plenty of room for both of us up here, since I've been threatened to sleep here." 

I couldn't believe I just actually suggested Jade sleep in the same bed as me. Also wtf... Was I about to be in Jade's apartment, in Jade's bed, WITH JADE?! 

I'm pretty sure the thought alone sent a mad blush across my face. Good thing it was dark.

She giggled. "Are you sure?"

Absofuckinglutely! I wanted to say.

"Of course." I said instead.

"Thanks, love." She climbed in the bed and laid next to me. My emotions and nerves were all swimming around in the same pool. 

After a couple of minutes I heard what I assume were her teeth chattering, and felt her body shivering. Poor thing, she's freezing. All I wanted to do in that moment was pull her close and hold her until she warmed up. And then until she felt better. But I was too nervous to. 

What if she doesn't want me to touch her and then she freaks out? Do it, Perrie! Can't you see she's freezing?! 

Her chattering and shivers were nonstop, so I had no choice. I couldn't just let her lay there freezing. I took a huge gulp. One that I'm sure she heard, as I swallowed my nerves. It took all of the courage I had, but I finally found the words. 

"Hey, Jade." I whispered. "Are you cold?  Do you want to come closer?"

I think she may have been too cold to even say anything. I could see her nod her head though in the moonlight, and then she scooted close enough to me that I could smell the vanilla on her skin and feel the heat of her body against my own. She pushed her back into me, I wrapped my arms around her, and she let out a sigh. Just as I said, little spoon. 

I got as close as I could, trying my best to ignore her perfect body pressed up against me. I buried my face in her hair and let out a sigh myself. I swear it feels like this is where I'm meant to be. I know it sounds weird but she feels like home for me. One that I've been away from and have been trying my whole life to find my way back to. Like, we just fit. 

I pulled the covers up over us and I finally noticed her shivering subside and her breathing get heavier. My heart smiled, even though it was beating like it wanted to jump out of my chest and hide underneath her bed. 

Moments passed and I laid awake, staring at the back of her head, this time thinking about my own life. 

Summer was nearly over and school was to start back soon and to be honest, I was excited to get back. I love my mom and our home but as long as Jimmy lived there too, I would never really be comfortable. I hated him.

I made the decision to get a job for the rest of summer so I could save up to get my own apartment. Once I left, I knew there was no way I could go back to that house.

I was shaken from my thoughts when I heard a loud ring. It was Jade's phone. I quickly grabbed it and silenced it because she was finally asleep and I didn't want to wake her. I peeked at the caller ID and of course it was Jimmy. I rolled my eyes. It rang again and I fumbled with the button, but this time Jade stirred. She turned over and faced me, looking over at me with those beautiful and sleepy eyes. 

"Sorry." I whispered, handing her the phone. "I didn't want it to wake you." She smiled at me and then yawned, picking up the third call. 

"Hello." I heard her say in a groggy voice that I had to admit was sexy as hell.

"I'm asleep, Jimmy." She said dryly.

I heard him yell something into the phone and Jade hung up on him, turning her phone off and tossing it on the floor.

She looked back at me. "Drunk asshole. Hey, did my phone wake you? I'm sorry."

"No it's fine, I was already awake." I replied.

A look of concern spread across her face. "Have you been to sleep at all, Perrie?"

I shook my head. 

"Are you uncomfortable? Is there something I can do?" She was literally the sweetest person ever.

I shook my head again. "Just a lot of thoughts keeping me up." She nodded as if she knew exactly what I was talking about.

"Okay that's it, turn over," she said laying on her side facing me and completely taking me by surprise.

"Huh?" I was confused.

"Turn on your side, Pez." She smiled.

I turned over and faced the window in the opposite direction. When she scooted up and put her body so close against mine that not even a sheet of paper could fit in between, I sighed in content. She could be a good big spoon too, I see. 

I know it sounds corny but as I said, we fit together like a hand and a glove. She put her left arm under my head so I could use it as a pillow, and she used her right hand to rake her fingers through my hair. It felt almost magical and I could see why she loved it so much that night.

Between her body being so close to mine that I could feel her heartbeat in my back, her fingers tickling my scalp, and her warm breath on my neck, I didn't ever want to leave this spot. She gave me a feeling that I couldn't quite explain. If I could just have that for the rest of my life, that would be great. I sighed again, but this time I think it accidentally turned into a moan. 

Oh s**t. 

When she giggled into the back of my neck, I knew she heard it. I felt my cheeks heat up. 

"Feels good, doesn't it?" She whispered, her warm breath tickling the back of my neck and causing the hairs there to stand up.

Too good, I wanted to say but I was so embarrassed and aroused I was afraid to speak. 

"Mhmm." I mumbled.

I scooted back a little to be closer to her, if that was even possible, and relaxed in her embrace. She breathed on my neck again and I shivered. 

This has to be a dream.

"Hey, Jade?"

"Hmm?" She hummed lowly into my ear. 

God, that felt good. This feels so good.

"Your paintings are really really good. The one of the little boy is my favorite. What's the story behind that one?" I asked.

She sighed. "Thanks, love. I would really love to tell you all about it one day, but I can't right now. I don't have the energy."

I wondered what she meant, but decided not to push her. I completely understood.

"It's okay. Whenever you want to tell me about it, I'm here." I replied.

"Thank you for understanding, Pez." 

She pulled my hair to one side and I could have sworn I felt her lips press against my neck. I shivered again and she held me tighter. 

What is happening? Whatever it is I don't want it to stop. 

"Night, ocean eyes." She whispered.

Another sigh fell off my lips. "Night, Jade."

I finally shut my eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Probably one of the most comfortable one's I'd ever had.