It's hard to go back to reality after that. It's the next morning, and I'm sitting in an old coffee shop with my laptop, working on an essay for one of my college classes. It's pretty quiet in here, seeing as the youngest person other than me is probably sixty. It is burning up in here. I have my headphones on, and I'm currently blasting Grade 8 by Ed Sheeran into my ears. It's impossible to concentrate. My mind keeps flicking back to last night, mostly to when I'd met Ed and spoken to him. I can't believe he'd complimented my scarf. I laugh every time I think about that. I'm actually wearing it right now, over my sweater. I'll think of him every time I wear it now.
Urgh. Who really cares about how contractions were invented? Does that help society at all? No. I drum my fingers irritably against the table. One thousand words to go. I hear the bell on the shop door ring. I pay it no attention. It's probably just another old lady coming in for her morning coffee. A few minutes later, however, I hear footsteps coming up beside me. I look up to see none other than Ed Sheeran standing beside me. I think my heart stops.
"Hello," I can hear him say faintly. I hurry to double tap the home button of my phone and pause my music. Ed sees his face on my screen and grins.
I blush. "Hi," I say, lowering my head phones. I'm suddenly hyper-aware of my messy hair, makeup free face, and ugly sweater.
"Natalie, isn't it?" He asks. I can't believe this.
"Yeah. Natalie Grey." Then, stupidly, "How did you remember me?"
He ticks his chin down at my scarf. "You have a cool scarf."
I laugh nervously. I have no idea what to say. Oh, help me. I don't want to make a fool out of myself.
"Mind if I sit down?" Ed asks.
"Yeah, go ahead!" I motion towards the seat opposite me.
Ed sits. Theres a pause, then I blurt out, "Weren't you supposed to be going somewhere else? Like, to do another show?"
He shakes his head. "We're going to stay here for a few more days. Take a break from traveling for a bit. You guys have some nice weather here, which is a bonus. Lots of the other cities' weather was crap." He laughs, and I join him.
"Yeah, it's a bit odd when it's 70 degrees in December," I allow. "It's nice though."
"Seventy?" Ed asks. He looks confused.
"Oh!" I realize. "I think that would be about... Maybe... twenty degrees in England." I giggle. "Sorry, I forgot about that." I remove my headphones from my head completely and set them in the seat beside me. It really is very hot in here.
"Oh, yeah." Ed smirks at me. "You Americans are weird."
I smile and shrug, allowing this.
"Would you like something to drink?" he asks me.
I shake my head. "No, thanks. I didn't bring money."
"You sure? I'll cover it." He pulls a wallet out of his pocket.
"It's fine, really." I smile shyly at him.
"Suit yourself." Ed stands and walks over to the counter. While he's over there, I take the time to grab my phone and text Risa, "OMG Ed Sheeran is at the shop right now talking to me!!!!" Then, I have an idea. I text pretty much the one guy friend I have, Jason, and ask him, "Will you plz text me? Like a couple times even if I dnt respond? I'll explain later thx xx" Then I pretend to work on my essay.
Ed comes back a couple minutes later with two steaming mugs. He sets one down in front of me. "I got you a hot chocolate," he says sweetly.
I shoot him a look, then laugh. "Thanks," I say.
Ed looks around the shop. "Not much of an energetic bunch, are they?"
I take a sip of my hot chocolate and try hard to to spit it right back out. HOT. "Not really, no. Thats why I come." Ed laughs at my in pain face.
"What are you working on?" He asks.
"A paper for my creative writing class. About CONTRACTIONS for crying out loud. Urgh."
"Creative writing? So you're in uni right now?"
I nod and try another sip of my drink. It's actually not so bad. It's the first time in weeks I had drank anything but water. "First year."
"Cool." We continue drinking. Ed watches me for a second, then sighs. "It is freaking hot in here. It's like a nursing home." He eyes my sweater. "Are you not burning up in that?"
I shake my head and unconsciously pull the sleeves down lower. He gives me a look. Just then, my phone starts vibrating. It does this several times in a row. The name says "Jason Biel." "Is that your boyfriend?" Ed asks, watching it amusedly.
I laugh. "Definitely not."
"Cool." I glance up at him, and his face is a little embarrassed. I smirk. Ed checks his watch. "Well, I have to go. It was nice getting to see you again, Natalie." Then, almost as an afterthought, "Hey, would you mind if I got your number?" He nods at my phone, which has just gone off again.
"Sure." I try not to squeal. I hand my phone over to him. He opens it up, gives me a strange look, then exits out of my messages and enters his number. Whoops. I can only imagine what random crap Jason has sent me.
He hands it back and grins at me. "See you later." He winks at me and walks out.
"Bye!" I respond. He turns to look at me one more time and I wave.
What just happened?
