when we collided [e.s.]

Thirteen

Audrey's POV

I bring Ed over to the apartment as he has his suit in his car. The dinner starts at 7:00 sharp, and since it's only 5 me and Ed watch TV for a while. "So how's your stomach doing?" I ask mid way through a british cooking show. "It's almost fully healed. Unfortunately it's still a little bruised," he says. "Hey, what ever happened to the guy who beat you up?" I continue, sticking my hand in the bowl of popcorn Ed prepared. "Don't know. He just dissapeared and I haven't seen him since," Ed replies. I've known Ed for almost two months now, and I can already tell when he's keeping something from me. I swivel my head to look at him. He's wearing his glasses again. I love those glasses. "Ed," I say suspiciously. "Hm?" He says, locking eyes with me. "What are you keeping from me?" I ask. "I'm not keeping anything from you," he says with a smile. "Shutup," I say playfully, standing up to get the salt off the table. "What! I'm not!" He smiles back as I sprinkle more salt on the popcorn. "I know you Ed, don't you dare make me think I'm going crazy for thinking something's up," I continue. My phone buzzes in my pocket before Ed can answer me. "Hello?" I say, getting a handful of popcorn. "Want to go to a party tonight? You can bring your brit friend if you want," I hear Cassie say. "Sorry, me and Ed are going to dinner tonight. Maybe another time," I say, smiling at Ed. "Ooohh, so you guys finally got together," she says as if it's implied. "No, we're just friends, Cass," I say in a lower voice. I walk to the fridge to avoid more awkward glances. "Whatever. I'll text you the address if you guys decide to come," she says, immediately hanging up afterwards. "Got it," I say, mostly to myself. "Was that Cassie?" Ed asks as I sit back down. "Yep. Calling to invite you and I to a frat party," I explain with an eye roll.

I look in the mirror one last time and adjust my side braid. "Ed?" I call, trying to locate him. Ed walks out of the bathroom with a suit on. "Well, don't you clean up," I smile. "Do you think it looks too buisness-y?" He asks, standing next to me and looking in mirrror. "You want to seem like you take this seriously. There's just one final touch," I say, picking Ed's glasses up from off the coffee table. "Audrey, no," Ed groans as I slip them over his nose. "Ed Sheeran you keep those on or I'm not coming!" I demand playfully. "Why do you like them so much? They make me look like a clown," Ed admits willingly. "I think they're cute," I tell him honestly. "Whatever," Ed says with an eye roll. "Ready?" I ask, picking my purse up from the couch after throwing on my black knee length jacket. "Let's go," Ed smiles.

When we reach the resturant it seems that the music producer has already made a reservation. We also learn that our entire meals are free. I'm not going to take that luxury for granted, this is an extremely expensive resturant. I know which table we're seated at before we even get a waitress to lead us there. He's a very large man, but not musculy or fat, just built large. He's got brown, swept hair and deep eyes, and he's wearing a suit that looks literally a million bucks. I'm not surpised when we're seated here. He gives an uneasy look at first, and then a completely fake smile. We aren't seated before Ed sticks his hand out over the table. "Mr. Mulligan," he smiles. "Ah, Ed. So nice to finally see you in person," Mr. Mulligan says with a look of constipation. "Oh, um, this is my best friend Audrey," Ed says. I shake his hand as well. It's very rubbery feeling, and kind of disgusting. "Please, sit, relax, we'll get to you in a minute," Mr. Mulligan says with yet another fake smile. He takes out a briefcase and sets it on the table. When he closes it again he's holding a few folders and a pen. "Alright. Ed Sheeran, says he's an acoustic artist but can do any genre, plays guitar, a little piano... And this," Mr. Mulligan says pulling out a CD labeled "A-Team". "I listened to this a few days ago, and... Wow. It is amazing. You have a very unique voice," he begins. "Thank you," Ed says with a smile. "I would like to sign you, I really would... There are just a few things we need to talk about," Mr. Mulligan continues. Oh god. "Sure. Yeah, anything," Ed says with complete commitment in his voice. Mr. Mulligan takes his pen out of his mouth and starts to jot something down inside the first folder. "Starting with your figure. We're going to need to find you a personal trainer... Three times a week for at least 60 minutes... If that's okay with you," he says, scribbling something else. "I- I don't see how that has to do with my music," he says. I grab hold of his hand underneath the table on instinct, but he doesn't seem to mind. "People like people who take care of themselves. And that's exactly what you're going to do," Mr. Mulligan explains with a sigh. I don't know whether I should speak up or not but I want to, I want to so badly. I decide to just see where the rest of this goes. "May I ask, how often do you wear those?" He asks, motioning to Ed's glasses. Ed's hand slips out of mine and immediately removes them. "I don't have to wear them at all," Ed says, putting them in his chest pocket. "Good. Lastly, your hair. Major turnoff. It's too- everywhere," Mr. Mulligan says. "Okay what the hell is wrong with you?" I finally speak up. Ed looks over at me like I've just commited murder. "Excuse you!" Mr. Mulligan almost shouts. "You know what, yes. Excuse me because I like Ed's hair, and his glasses, and I think he looks just fine the way his is. And you know what? Ed is the most genuine, caring, smart person I have ever met, and his voice is like a song on it's own and i'm sorry you can't see that!" I say, standing up. Almost the entire resturant is looking at me which makes me nervous. I feel my pulse quickening as Ed looks down at his hands and Mr. Mulligan looks up at me with his mouth hanging open. "That is no way to talk to your best friend's potential boss," Mr. Mulligan says, taking a leisurly sip of champagne. "And you know, you could lose a few pounds as well. Not all of us are perfect, but we can do everything we can to get just close enough, can't we?" Oh my god. I can't let Ed do this. "Hey, let's all take a deep breath," Ed speaks up, mostly to calm me down. "Ed, please," I say, looking back at him as if to show him how wrong it would be to sign with this guy. Ed looks sympathetic, which means he wants this so bad he's willing to put up with this guy. "Abby-" Mulligan starts, "Audrey," I correct him. "You need to take a seat and let Ed talk. That is, of course. if that hideous green dress will let you sit down," Mulligan smirks devilishly. "Okay, that's enough!" Ed shouts. I've never heard Ed shout before now. It's a little scary, to be honest. "Mr. Mulligan, can I ask to reschedule?" Ed asks sternly, standing up and grabbing my coat for me. "I'm afraid not," he replies. "Well then you should know you're a dick and you can go fuck yourself," Ed says. Ed puts his hand on my back and leads me out of the resturant quickly before Mulligan can follow. "Ed, are you okay?" I ask as we walk out of the resturant and into the cold of night. Ed stops. "I don't know whether to be furious at you or to do this," Ed says. And then he's kissing me. Oh my god. Do I want this? Things were so nice on a friendship level. My lips decide for me as I allow him to press me against a tree trunk near the building. We both look so expensive it feels like we're in a James Bond movie. "Tell me if you want me to stop," Ed breathes between kisses. I remain silent. Why do I remain silent? Ed finally stops. "We should probably get you home," He whispers. "Um, yeah," I agree, slightly out of breath. Ed leads me to the car.

The ride home has never been so silent. It's awkward, and I hate awkward. This is what it would be like if we were ever fighting, except Ed wouldn't have lipstick stains on his jaw. "Hey, someone else will want you, Ed. I promise. That guy was a dick," I finally say. I had almost completely forgotten about that. "I know. I guess I just had my heart set," Ed replies, turning in front of my apartment. "You aren't coming up?" I ask, getting out. "Probably not a good idea. But I'll call you tommorow, okay?" Ed smiles. I lean in one last time and kiss him, then reply, "Okay."