*Jessie's P.O.V*
It was a couple of days before I spoke to Ed again, and I have to say our conversation wasn't the easiest to talk about. It turns out we had been seen together last week, and a 'fan' took a picture of us hugging, and wrapping our arms around each other. They sold the story to the press, supposedly because they wanted to get recognised so they could meet us, when realistically if they had asked us at the time, we would have been happy to pose for a picture. It really got to me how the apparent 'fans' were often the ones to spread the rumours to the press, giving us bad publicity. The pictures were all over the internet, and our mentions were spammed with questions, asking us intimate details about why we were together etc.
Ed and I were both really upset at all the rumors circulating, we were certain nobody had photographed us but we were obviously wrong. My phone wouldn't stop ringing, every two minutes it was a message from a different newspaper, begging and offering large sums of money for an exclusive. It was becoming extremely tiring, so I took the landline phone off the hook, leaving my manager to deal with all the backlog. "I'm sorry for this Jessie xx" Ed had texted me, apologizing for something that wasn't even his fault. "Don't worry about it, really. I didn't expect anything to be printed as I didn't notice anybody watching us at the time, I guess we will have to be more careful.. Is there anything you want me to tweet or something?xx" I messaged him back, wondering whether to set the record straight.
All the newspapers were seemingly reporting that we were dating, which for once, was a headline that actually spoke truth, but it was a question whether we were going to admit they were right or not. I didn't want to lie, because the truth always comes out eventually anyways, but at the same time I didn't necessarily want to tell the whole truth either, because it would mean being constantly followed, watched and reported about. Ed was a very honest person as well, so I was unsure of what the outcome would be.
A while later, I received a text. "I don't think we should admit to anything.. The rumors will settle, and eventually they will find something better to gossip about. I think we should just ignore it because admitting to something will only cause conflict and more headlines xx" Ed was right, it was just more hassle piled on top of what we had already suffered this morning. I texted back, agreeing to do what he had said, and we both said we would still go out together, just something more low key. Ed told me Stuart and his girlfriend would be out for the day next Friday, suggesting I could go over to where he was staying on Friday so we wouldn't really be seen. "It's just casual though, sorry, wear jeans and a hoodie, and the rest will be explained on the day;) xx" Ed replied, leaving me guessing about what to expect.
I felt like I didn't have to go overboard to impress Ed, as we already knew each other really well, and had a mutual agreement to just be casual in each other's company. I had never ever been on date in casual clothing, and I was actually looking forward to dressing down and being able to feel comfortable, not stressing over what shoes would match, or whether my eyeliner matched my skirt. I daren't tell Holly of the minor details I had been made aware of, because I knew it would be frowned upon, and followed by more implications of how I "could do so much better".
I was hoping the next couple of days would go really quickly, as more studio time was stressful, and I was looking forward to relaxing with Ed. I liked being surprised, even if it was only small, and the thought of something even slightly mysterious really intrigued me.
Friday was going to be a good day.
*Ed's P.O.V*
I was fuming that somebody who claimed to be mine and Jessie's 'biggest fan' had sold several pictures of us to the press. I know I previously said I hadn't care who saw, but I wasn't expecting half the world to.. I am mostly angry because the person apparently wanted their name known, so we could meet them? Yet if they had asked kindly for a picture but respected our privacy in some ways, we would have happily obliged. Now the pictures are all over Twitter, and for the first time ever, the press are following me everywhere, hassling me and even calling up my Mum and Dad's businesses, just to get them to talk. I find this extremely unfair not to mention awkward, as I hadn't even had chance to tell them about Jessie, and they were quite shocked when it all came out in the papers, before their own son had managed to even tell them anything. Sure, I'm not Jessie's boyfriend or anything and I don't' expect to be obviously, but it would have been nice to be able to tell them personally who I am dating, because I know they have been worrying after my break up with Alice.
I felt like I needed to say sorry to Jessie for this all coming out, as I had told her not to worry about it when we saw each other last, and she was sceptical about the press. My judgement was completely wrong, I had been convinced we wouldn't be bothered as we were both new to the industry and not tremendously famous, but obviously two musicians going out together was riveting front page news. Thankfully, Jessie didn't feel as if it was my fault, but I knew she was still upset, leaving me unsure whether she was annoyed with me or just at the so called 'fan' who decided to make a fortune.
In order to settle things down, we agreed to not commenting anything publicly about what had been printed, hoping things would blow over and we would drift back into the shadows. Therefore our second date was forced to be made extremely low key, so I suggested we spent it at Stuart's where we were completely out of the limelight. It was in these situations that not owning my own house came in handy, if I had my own place everybody would know where I lived yet Stuart doesn't seem to get bothered as nobody has really noticed that I stay with him yet. Luckily enough, he was going out on the Friday anyways, so we would be alone.
I wanted to cook for Jessie, my special fajitas, the only thing I could just about manage (other than Heinz soup or baked beans on toast). I wanted to leave her guessing, so only instructed her to wear casual clothing as that would only be necessary. I am guessing all the dates Jess has ever been on were very posh, at the finest restaurant you could imagine, and this contrast was probably something very different from what she had experienced in the past. Having said that, Jessie was always up for something a bit different, willing to give things a go, so I hoped she would still enjoy this more understated kind of dinner.
I decided to call my brother and set the record straight on what he may have read in the papers. "Matthew? Hey it's Ed.. Have you seen the papers today?" Matthew went onto tell me how he had also been bombarded with calls, the press had googled him and found his phone number. He said Mum and Dad weren't too bothered over not being told after I explained we only went out for the first time a few days ago, and it wasn't too serious. He joked with me about how it's a miracle I had managed to get with her etc, and I had to agree on that, as I was still shocked myself! I loved being able to talk to my brother, we always shared a lot of things, we had definitely got a lot closer as we got older as when we were younger we didn't really see eye to eye. We were on the phone for a good hour, talking about what I was missing back home in Suffolk. It made me really look forward to visiting home within the next few weeks.
Once I had cleared things up with my family, I couldn't help but wonder what it made Alice think, if she saw the newspaper.. I know I shouldn't really think about her much anymore because she has moved on as well, but I had still hoped to remain friends. However, that has become impossible due to all the awkwardness I left behind. Alice was in the past for a reason, I needed to look forward. The good memories we shared would always be there, I knew that, but the painful ones should be left in the past, where they belong. I would never forget her, and I was determined to make a negative outcome of a breakup into a positive experience, taking time to enjoy life to the full without being so serious.
