2 Hands and One Heart

An Unexpected Invitation

It's been a few months since Ed's concert. I haven't seen him since then. He's finishing up his U.S. tour somewhere near New York, I think. After I left that day, a few months ago, I went home and showed my sister the juice box Ed had given me. She totally freaked out and almost passed out when I told her she could have it. Fangirl style. She cherished it for days before she finally drank it. I didn't tell very many people that I had Ed's number. Honestly it wasn't that big a deal. It's like getting any other boy's number. Except that it's Ed Sheeran...

I told my sister, of course, and my parents found out soon after. That's about the extent of people I told. Well, and Joshi. Since he was kinda there.

Now I'm submerged in my first semester of college. Joshi's going to a neighboring college nearby. Olive is entering her junior year of high school. Man, we're all getting to be so old! I look in the mirror and sigh. Ed said he wanted to Skype tonight before he leaves the U.S. tomorrow. He'll be flying back to the UK for a little vacation before diving into another round of touring and singing. I look awful. My hair is up in a messy bun, too long to cooperate much. I have slight dark circles forming beneath my eyes from all the studying and less sleep. At least I showered and brushed my teeth. I turn to my closet and groan softly. I turn away to my drawers of sweatpants and t-shirts. I pull out a pair of loose-fitting sweatpants and an old t-shirt, quickly changing into them.

I finish the last of one of my first college papers and send it to my teacher before I sit cross legged on my bed with my laptop in front of me. It's about 8:20 now. He should be calling me in a few minutes if all goes well. Not five minutes later my laptop screen lights up with a ringing noise, alerting me that someone is trying to Skype me. I smile, recognizing the name, and press the 'accept' button. Ed's face shows up, filling most of the screen.

"Hey, Beautiful," Ed says with a silly grin on his gorgeous face. "Hi, Ed," I say, trying to suppress a giggle. "How's college life?" He teases with a smirk. "Just dandy! How's the Tour life?" I ask him while rolling my eyes. "Great! But it's not as fun without you," he says, his smile wilting ever so slightly, his eyes growing sad for a moment. "How would you know the difference? We've only met in person, like, three times!" I point out. "You're just so much fun to talk to... I know it'd be better with you around," Ed shrugs. I can tell he just got done with a concert. His skin glistens faintly and his hair is plastered to the sides of his face. My hands itch to brush his hair away from his face. I clasp them together instead. I sigh. "Ed, I'm not the center of your universe. Get over me! You don't need me to be with you to have fun," I say to him. After every concert he tells me it would've been better if I were there. I'm afraid of believing him because I don't want to get hurt. What if he doesn't really mean the things he says? I play indifference to be safe. "What if I can't get over you?" He asks. I stare at him for a moment before he continues. "I can't get you out of my head, Mel. Believe me, I've tried. I'm not sure what to do," he sighs. I'm not sure what to do either.

We sit in silence for a few minutes, staring at each other. Finally Ed speaks, "You look beautiful." I click my tongue against the roof of my mouth. "I'm not even wearing make-up to hide the hideous dark circles beneath my eyes," I sigh, resting my chin in my hand. "You don't need to wear make-up to be beautiful." Ed says. "My face is still in high school mode. Plain with the occasional pimple. My eyes don't even stand out from my boring face," I say. I've never really seen myself as beautiful, but Ed never ceases to remind me that I am.

"You don't need to put mascara or any of that on. Your eyes can hold there own. And your face isn't boring. It's captivating. Your face is more magnificent than any model out there," He says sincerely. "I know people who would disagree with that statement. Models have gorgeous faces. What makes you say mine's better?" I ask. "It's realistic. Your face overflows with expressions and emotions at every moment of every day. Models faces, for the most part, are fake and emotionless. They have only one expression," he mocks the face he's trying to describe, making me laugh as his face contorts ridiculously. "And that," he exclaims, "is my favorite of all your expressions!" "What?" I look at him and raise an eyebrow.

"Your smile."

I blush at his compliment, but continue to smile. He smiles at me and we say nothing for a moment. Finally I can't hold it in any longer. "I miss you," I say. "I miss you too," he says. "I wish I could see you again," I say, knowing I could never afford it. "Would you like to? Like, when you have a break from school, or something?" Ed asks. "What are you saying, Sheeran?" I ask. "Do you wanna come visit me in London?" He's dead serious.

When I don't say anything Ed continues. "I thought maybe you could come visit me for Christmas?" He looks hopeful, "I could buy you a plane ticket and you could come hang out with me. I'll get awfully bored without you." I look at him for another moment, thinking. I sigh and shake my head. "And what if I say yes?" I ask him. "Then it would be the best Christmas ever," he says. I smile, "How about the week before Christmas? I need to spend Christmas with my family." "Done. I'll call the airline company tomorrow," Ed says, grinning like a child. I roll my eyes. "I don't know about this Ed. I've never been outside of the country," I say. "You can bring someone with you, if you want," he's too excited to sit still any longer. "Are you sure? It seems like an awful lot of troub-" "No, no no no, it's fine! Really no trouble at all. So who you gonna bring? Joshi? Olive? Your mom?" Ed's wiggling all over in his seat. "Woa, slow down. I need to think about this for a few days. I need to consult with my mom and dad. I'll let you know for sure in a few days. Don't do anything until I let you know," I say, feeling a bit overwhelmed. He pouts slightly, his lips sticking out, "Fine."

I laugh at his pouty face. "Okay, I gotta go. I still have classes tomorrow," I tell him with a sigh. "I will miss your beautiful smile," he lets out a breath. "And I will miss your fiery hair," I smile, biting my lip a little.

"Bye, Love," Ed says with half a smile.

"Bye, Ed," I say before ending the Skype call.

I close my laptop screen and fall back against my pillow. Ed wants me to visit him in London... England... Wow.

I pull out my phone and text Olive: Wanna go to London?