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, Jade and I haven't spoken either, 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 actually 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, but she could also just be really good at hiding it.

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 sex with her.

It hurt me to see such a beautiful young girl, with her whole life ahead of her, being used and abused by a total piece of shit, 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, be 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.