Idol (An Ed Sheeran Fanfic)

23

This is all becoming so real. All my dreams of signing a deal are actually happening and I don't know what to think. My parents flew from Michigan to LA to be here for the signing, and I convinced Ed to come along before he starts 'The Red Tour".

Right now, Ed's in a meeting with his marketing people, and my dad's lawyer-ness is coming out. Gregg-the guy that called me with the news-is sitting across from us at a rectangular desk, going over the contract. Honestly, Gregg doesn't look anything like I expected; he's a stocky, Greek-looking guy with glasses. My dad is talking to him about all the numbers to do with my contract, and my mom's fidgeting with the zipper on her handbag and looking around the room.

There is a lot going on in the room. I'm assuming this is Gregg's office because of the photos of him with some kids on the desk, but to the side, there's a wall full of platinum record placks. I swear, on the bookcase behind his desk, there's a Grammy, too.

"Well, I think those are good terms; how about we sign this and start making music?" Gregg clapped his hands together and leaned back in his chair.

"Are you ready, Cassidy?" My dad asked and turned to me. He looks older than the last time I saw him, with grayer looking hair and more wrinkles. Beneath all of that, however, there's still his chocolate brown eyes that calm you down no matter what situation you're in.

I nodded and reached for a pen on the desk. Gregg turned the packet that was my contract so I was looking at all of it, and pointed to the line at the bottom for my signature.

Suddenly, my stomach knotted up; I don't know if I can do this. Artists get worked so hard when they sign their deals, and I don't know if I'm ready for it. Can I do it?

I'm the one that ran away from home to pursue their dreams even when my mom basically forbidden me to. If I didn't think I could do it, than I wouldn't have run away, right?

With a shaky hand, I quickly wrote my signature on the bottom of the page. There was so much small print on the page that there's no way I could read it all; my dad talked to him, this is a good contract. Gregg turned a couple pages and pointed to the bottom of that page and I signed again.

The process of turning pages and signing repeated three times after that. My emotions varied from feeling like this was the best, and self doubt. You could hear a pin drop in that room, and that obviously didn't help me calm myself down.

For some reason, offices like this freak me out. My fear probably comes from those elementary school days where everyone in your class would "ooh" whenever you were called to the principal's office. Back in first grade-at least for me-being the center of attention was my worst nightmare. Also, when you walk into the principal's office, you never know if you're going to be suspended or rewarded, and I don't like that unpredictability.

After I dotted my last "i" on the final paper, Gregg stood up (causing my parents and me to do the same) with a smile on his face.

"Welcome to the Warner family, Cassidy. We are very excited to have your daughter with us, Mrs. and Mr. Collins," Gregg pronounced and held his hand out so we could all shake it. Dad went first, Mom after, and lastly, me. "If it's okay, I would like to talk to Cassidy about the next few days, in private."

My mom shot my dad a look, but he looked right at Gregg and started going out of the room, causing my mom to follow without saying anything.

Once the door closed, Gregg sighed and said, "Wow your dad really knows a lot about finances; I honestly didn't expect that."

I laughed. "Yeah, we're very different," I replied with a shrug.

"You've got that right. Anyway, I called them out because I want to talk to you about what I said about Nashville on the phone. That'll probably just stress your parents out, but I don't think it'll worry you," he explained and nodded.