Idol (An Ed Sheeran Fanfic)

12

I just passed security at the iconic LAX airport. After being pat down and put through metal detectors, I was finally free to go through the airport at my leisure. It's said that all the movie stars and pop-stars all fly through the airport with escorts and people carrying their luggage, but it really just looks like every other airport-but a lot bigger. There has to be forty different airlines flying out of here to places that I've never heard of; where is Chang Mai? Ed and all of his managing team were right behind me, but it was taking them a little longer because they had foreign passports.

However, for some reason, Alice finished going through security the same time I did and we were both standing there awkwardly.

"So..." I started and that caught her attention. "How did you like America?"

"It's very different to England-you guys drive on the wrong side of the road and have way better food-but I really liked it! I wanna come back here! Where are you from in America?"

"Uhh, Michigan, it's in the north," I nodded and looked around the terminal. All the people looked so posh and in-shape (which is the complete opposite of Michigan).

"I've never been there. It sounds nice, though. Ed said that he really liked umm... Cleveland. That's there, right?" She asked.

I couldn't help but smile. "No, that's in Ohio, but it's close! We are just a little bit more north," I corrected her and smiled. Well, at least she didn't say Miami. Her face got really red. "Don't be embarrassed, my British geography is probably a lot worse."

"Most Americans think that the U.K. is just London, and that England is the whole country," she sighed and chuckled.

"Wait, England isn't the whole country?" I cocked my head to one side.

She laughed. "No!"

"Are you ready?" Ed called over to Alice and I, putting his passport into his backpack and zipping up his hoodie. He had on a pair of black, rectangular glasses that were pushed up his nose, and his hair was wild.

We both nodded and walked over to him. Alice went by Ed's side, and I was standing on the end of them (like a proper third wheel). They were bickering about some people that I'm assuming were in England.

"I have to use the lady's room, wait for me, okay," Alice said and walked over to the restrooms.

Ed nodded and went over to stand next to one of the maps of the airport. I went over, and pretended to look at the map.

"Cassidy, I want you to come to Australia with me," Ed mumbled and kept looking over his shoulder.

"What?" I replied.

"My next tour is in Australia, in a few weeks, and I want you to come with me," he explained.

I sighed. "Ed, no, I'm not doing that. We both know it's better if I'm not around."

"No it's not better, you have to understand that," he took a deep breath. "I haven't talked to Alice yet. I'm waiting until we get back home. She'll understand that we're just friends that made a mistake, we've been through something like this before."

I can't believe him! Just last night he said that he likes me, but that must have just been the alcohol talking. I gulped, but replied in a small voice, "My answer is no, I don't want to go to Australia with you."

"Cassidy-" he started.

"Ready?" Alice asked from behind us in a cheery voice.

"Yes!" I smiled at her and turned around to go to their gate. My boarding gate was all the way on the other side of the airport, but I wanted to say a proper goodbye to them. Even though Ed has done all this crap to me, he still started off my music career and made me realize that this is what I want to do; the least I can do is thank him for it.

We kept walking through the airport. There were endless shops selling food to business men in L.A. for a few hours before they catch their next flight, boutiques selling dresses and jewelry to mothers that are taking their kids to a new city, and souvenir shops with the last minute keychains or t-shirt to the tourists. Alice was talking to Ed about something, but I couldn't make out what they were saying and honestly didn't care. How can he go on and keep her so oblivious to everything he's done?

Then they stopped. We were at gate A67, and the flight board said it was a British Airlines flight to London-Heathrow. There were people all scattered around sitting in the generic black chairs that always seemed to be at airports.

We all sat down on the empty side of the gate. Ed sighed as he sat down, and put his backpack down on the seat next to him. All of us sat there for a few minutes and talked, then a girl popped up behind Ed and tapped on his shoulder.

"Hi, I'm sorry to bother you but I saw your show at The Nokia Theater last night and I just wanted to say it was amazing. Cassidy, you are incredible and gorgeous and perfect! You and Ed are perfect together," the girl blushed.

"Oh," I started and looked at Ed.

"We-we aren't together like that," he finished.

"Really? On Twitter everyone is talking about how cute you guys are," she raised her eyebrows.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alice shift awkwardly.

"We aren't together, it's just a rumor. That would be too weird, don't you think?" I replied.

"Honestly, I don't think so! Well, sorry to bother you, I just saw you guys and couldn't resist coming to talk to you," she shrugged.

"I'm glad you liked the show," Ed smiled at her, and she turned and left. When she was out of sight, Ed sighed and mumbled, "That was weird."

"I know, right," I agreed. Alice still looked really uncomfortable.

I saw her gulp, then turn to Ed and say, "Can you go and make sure we are sitting together on the plane? When I called they said they didn't know."

He nodded, and went up to the desk.

"Cassidy," Alice mumbled, "is there anything going on between you and Ed? Because if there is, I need to know."

My breath hitched. She knows. "No," I lied.

"I won't be mad if there is, I just need to know," she responded.

"There is noth-" I replied, but stopped and I saw Ed approaching us.

"We're 4A and B," he pronounced and sat down.

"Great," she smiled a tense smile.

Then there was an awkward silence. You know the silence when everyone is trying to find something to occupy themselves so it doesn't seem as awkward. This was getting too weird for me.

What was going on between Ed and Alice? They weren't really talking to each other, also, she would flinch whenever he touched her. I know she doesn't know what happened, but she is acting like it. After looking around for a minute, I pulled out my phone. Great, boarding starts in thirty minutes for my flight, so I could leave.

"Hey guys, boarding for my flight starts soon and it's on the other side of the airport. I think I should get going," I explained and gulped.

They both stood up.

"It was great to meet you, Cassidy," Alice nodded at me and I smiled.

"Thanks for everything, really. You did great," he smiled a sad smiled and pulled me into a hug. I could feel his thumb trailing up and down the top of my back, also, Alice's eyes on us.

"No, thank you," I mumbled into his chest. I have to be careful to not say anything that will cause any unwanted drama.

Ed's nose brushed right above my ear. "I'll talk to her," he whispered.

I pulled away, and just looked at him. He blinked at me, grabbed my carry-on bag that was sitting on one of the chairs, and handed it to me.

After one more goodbye I started walking towards the walkway that leads to the other gates. I turned back and waved at Ed one more time, and he waved back; but for some reason, I don't think this is the last time I'm going to be seeing him.