The Girl Next Door

Touring = Torturing

Harry

I waited for Ed to get off stage. I was sitting on a folding chair in the back of the stage where I could hear the concert raging on. After a while I got bored and got up and went to stretch my legs. I crept out to the roof of the venue where Ed was playing and leaned against the railing, my arms crossed. It was cold but I didn’t mind it. I stared at the snowflakes slowly coming down and the lights of Paris. In the distance, I could see the Eiffel Tower glowing brightly in the crisp winter night.

It was Christmas Eve, time that should be spent at home with family. My mum was on a trip with her husband and my sister was out with her boyfriend, leaving me to have a cute little Christmas with Eddo. I didn’t mind. I love Ed for all the support but I wished I had someone else. Victoria? No. I’ve gotten messages from her saying that she loves me and that she wants me back. Neither does she loves me nor do I love her. I never did. Carter? I try not to think about her.

I stared at the distance for a while, letting the wind mess up my hair. The roof of the venue was now covered in half an inch of snow. When I heard a loud applause, I decided that the concert was over and climbed down.

“Harry, mate, where’ve you been?” Ed asked, sweaty from the stage, guitar still in hand.

“Doing like Dora and exploring,” I said and walked pass him.

He chuckled. “Happy Christmas Eve!” he shouted for all to hear.

I pulled my phone out and checked the clock. “Actually,” I said, “It’s Christmas.”

“I guess you’re right.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Well, let’s get drunk.”

We spent the next six days in the hotel in Paris watching Disney movies. Ed, right now, is the closest thing I have to a relationship.

In the morning of the seventh day, when we had to travel- which was also New Year’s Eve-, I was too hung-over to know where we were heading. I fell asleep on the plane and got up when we landed.

I was still half asleep the entire taxi ride from the airport and I asked where we were just as we stopped, guessing in front of our hotel.

“Ed, what city are we in?”

“We’re on the Adriatic coast,” he muttered.

“Yeah, I know that. But what city on the Adriatic? Whenever I’d ask you you’d just—”

“Split,” he announced gingerly- literally.

“Split.” I repeated to myself. I pursed my lips and shrugged my shoulders. Then it hit me. “WHAT?”

“What what?” he asked and quickly got out of the car.

I followed him outside. “Why are we here? You know—” We were in front of the hotel.- This massive old building of stone and peachy walls. Behind it I could hear the waves breaking against a sandy beach. My mouth fell open.

“I do not know what you’re talking about,” he said, suppressing a chuckle. My mouth was already open to yell but I couldn’t find the right words. So I turned around and dashed away- Tomlinson style.

I stopped once I reached a park. I sat on a swing in the playground and stared at the shore. A few people were playing what seemed like volleyball with a tennis ball. I guess that wouldn’t be so unusual if it wasn’t winter... and if they weren’t wearing Speedos. I cradled on the swing, not caring about the two kindergarteners on the see-saw looking puzzled about a 19-year old boy stealing their toys. I wish I had Lux here with me. Then it wouldn’t be that awkward. I looked up to the clouds in the sky and the sun that was helplessly trying to fight them. She’s somewhere out here, I thought. Ed brought me here on purpose, I’m sure of it. 

I sighed and, with a fast swing, jumped off the seat. The two kids looked my way and started clapping. I bowed and dashed back to the hotel, completely ready to strangle Ed Sheeran.

When I got to the hotel, I saw Ed nervously running around. Finally he saw me and looked my way, obviously relieved.

“Harry, where have you been? We have to go get ready—”

“Calm your tits, Sheeran. I’m right here.”

“Okay— we have to go get ready for the show. It’s New Year’s Eve, after all.”

“Yippee!” I twirled my finger through the air and rolled my eyes. Warning; if you live with Carter Arch you will most likely pick up her annoying habits of eye-rolling.

Ed smirked mysteriously and led me to the van that was going to take us to the venue.

Ed was playing the Boardwalk. I remember walking here with Carter when she said it was a big deal if someone got to play the Boardwalk because the entire city would see you. Walking across it again now, it felt both right and wrong- without Carter to hit me whenever I said something stupid and make jokes about my hair. I realised then, I missed her more than I wanted to admit.

The stage was set on the end of the Boardwalk, occupying its entire width. Some band was doing soundcheck already. Ed pulled me and led me to the dressing room. The dressing room was the ground floor of this giant house across the square from the stage. As soon as we got in a lady came over and started tugging on Ed’s hair. I started laughing. I remembered Lou and the Brit Awards when Carter came as my +1. And of course that made me think of how much I miss her. And, wait! Will she be here tonight?! I panicked. I went to ask Ed what the hell is he planning but when I tried, his hairdresser blocked my way. I finally gave up and sat in a chair to take a nap.

I got awaken by the muffled sound of raging music.

“Good morning, mate,” Ed said, sitting on the couch next to me, “I’m not on yet. But the concert’s started, though.” I climbed up to a window and peeked put. Truthfully, the band I saw at soundcheck were playing some song on Croatian I didn’t know what was about. The night sky was lighted with the fireworks smoke in the distance and the lights from the Boardwalk. The seafront which was empty this afternoon except a few stands and crew, was now completely filled with people who were dancing and jumping to the beat of the music. I looked at the clock on the wall and realised it was a bit passed 10 pm. 

I sat down just as the song finished. The crowd gave out a loud applaud and screamed. Ed looked out the window. “I’m almost up.” He smiled down at me. “Care to join?”

I groaned. “Do I have a choice?”

“No,” he said and pushed me out the door. Literally pushed me. I stumbled and fell at least a dozen times in those 60 feet to the stage.

“Ed—Ed, stop—Ed—ED!” Then he stopped. I would’ve turned around and tackled him right there if it wasn’t for one thing that caught my eye; Carter was standing behind the stage, looking at the sky and then the crowd and then the sea and the crowd again. Ana was by her shoulder, jumping excitedly as always. She looked confused. And she looked beautiful.