We push and pull like a magnet do ∞chapter four∞
Chapter 4
The rest of the day at work went by fairly quickly, even though I was really tired. Before I knew it, it was almost 5 pm, time for me to wrap up and go back home. As I was getting my things, my phone rang and I had a quick look, seeing my friend Nina’s name on the screen. I sighed, I knew what she wanted to talk about. Nevertheless, I pressed answer, and left my office.
“Hey girl!” she said excitedly on the other line and I rolled my eyes.
“Hey Nina,” I said softly, I was never as loud as she was.
“I got tickets, Hana! Me and my brother will be going to see Ed tonight at Swedish idol!”she practically screamed in my ear and I grimaced.
“Aww I’m happy for you, you’ll let me know how it goes?” I asked, trying to sound interested for her sake.
“Of course I will, I still wish you’d come with me though,” she said, almost pleading me.
“No, I’m sorry Nina, I’m so tired and I have to make dinner tonight,” I said softly and I heard her sigh on the other end.
“At least watch it on the tv tonight?“ she asked and I agreed. Watching it on tv wouldn’t hurt me one bit. After talking to her on the phone, I got home and went straight into the shower. I felt gross. After getting out of the shower, I spent some time with my sister and my mum, before getting to dinner. I decided to make spaghetti Bolognese. It was something easy that I knew they both liked. I spent a good hour in the kitchen, and then we all had dinner together. At around 8 pm, I got the chance to have the tv for myself and decided to put on Swedish Idol. As I was making myself comfortable, I decided I’d text him. I had been feeling lonely all day and I felt this urge to text him.
Me: Good luck tonight xx
I bit my lip but sent the text anyway. I put my phone away and started watching the show. After ten minutes my phone buzzed.
Ed: Thank you.
Ed: I wish you were here to see it though… I’ve missed you.
I smiled a bit. How could one person have this effect on me? Against my better judgement, I decided to text him back.
Me: I’m watching it on Tv at home :)
As soon as I hit send, my message was marked with “read” meaning that he was on his phone, waiting for me to text back. Somehow that made me feel emotional, he actually wanted to hear back from me. Before I knew it he had replied.
Ed: I’m glad you are, thank you. Hana, I’m singing for you tonight. Can I call you after I’m done?
I took a deep breath. He was singing for me. Was that the reason he had been calling and texting a lot? Did he come here for me? I wanted to talk to him this time, I needed to know why.
Me: Are you busy after all this? The studio you’re at is really close to my house, I can drive up and we can talk?
My heart was racing as I pressed send. This was so bold. So unlike me. But I had a feeling that this was my last chance to see him. And as much as I was scared, I needed to see him, even if it was for the last time. My phone buzzed again and I took a deep breath before looking at the text, I was scared he’d say no.
Ed: Yes, please! But I don’t want you driving at night, can you text me your address and I’ll have someone pick you up?
I couldn’t help but smile slightly as I read his text. After giving it some thought, I texted him my address and he replied saying he’d get someone to pick me up. I spent the next hour or so getting ready. I had the tv on still as I applied some makeup to my face and straightened my long hair. I wanted to make some effort in seeing him this time. I chose to wear a denim shirt with black skinny jeans and a pair of Chelsea boots. When I was done, I sat down just in time for Ed’s first performance. He performed I see fire with the contestants. The first part was amazing as he sang it solo, but I could see it in his eyes that he hated the bit where the others came in, they were talented, yes, but they completely ruined the vibe of the song. I laughed a little, no one could truly sing like him.
After some time it was time to vote and just as I was about to sit down again, my phone buzzed and it was the driver, letting me know he was downstairs. I wasn’t ready for that, I thought I was meeting him after the show. I put my coat on nonetheless, getting out of the house and locking the door. As I went downstairs, my phone buzzed again and this time it was Ed.
Ed: I hope it’s okay that you come earlier, I really want you to be there for my last performance.
I smiled and let him know it was okay. Once I was out of the house, I went into the car that was parked right outside my door. I was silent as the driver drove me to the studio. The drive wasn’t that long, as the studio where the live Friday shows are held, happens to be about ten minutes from where I live. Once we got there, a security guard met up with me and told me to follow him backstage. I gulped. I had never been backstage at any event before. He handed me a badge and showed me to where I could see Ed perform close up. I saw Ed walk up on stage and everyone started screaming. I had forgotten how famous he was.
I blinked as he started strumming his guitar and singing. It was one of his new songs, Thinking out loud. I didn’t know how he did it, but I could feel him singing for me, about me. And that made me feel really emotional, and nervous. Before I knew it, the song was over and after chatting briefly with the host, Ed was making his way backstage, literally towards me. Within a few seconds, I saw him come up and as soon as he spotted me, he smiled widely at me. He came over and immediately embraced me in a tight hug. For a split second, I didn’t know how to react, but I relaxed and put my arms around him, hugging him back. I unconsciously buried my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent. I could smell the faint scent of tobacco mixed with cologne and what must have been his own scent. He smelled really nice, even though he was sweating a little.
“Hi,” I whispered in his ear, as we were still stood there, hugging. He pulled away and looked straight in my eyes, still smiling. I blushed and looked down but he put two fingers on my chin and pulled my face back up towards his.
“Hey, beautiful.” He said and I couldn’t help but smile. I think we stood there for a good few minutes before someone came and tapped Ed on his shoulder.
“I’m sorry to break you two lovebirds up, but you’ve got that interview left that you so kindly agreed to do.” This man said and Ed groaned.
“Fine fine I’m coming, by the way, Stuart this is Hana,” Ed said and the man turned to me for the first time and gave me a warm smile.
“So you’re the miracle that made this guy come back to me.” He said and reached out to shake my hand. I raised an eyebrow, but smiled and shook his hand.
“Sorry love, I completely forgot about this, give me half an hour and I’ll be back, and don’t you dare move!” Ed said, and I nodded. He squeezed my hand before going to do his interview. I looked around and found myself an empty seat where I slumped down. I still had to wrap my head around everything that had happened. After a while, I started thinking and I realised how stupid I had been to act on impulse like this. Ed was a singer, a famous singer, how would we be able to spend time together? At some point, he’d have to tour, and I lived in Sweden, how would it all play out? After some time I felt someone tapping my shoulder and I looked up and saw that he was back.
“Hey, sorry about that, let’s go somewhere private.” He said and grabbed my hand before I could say anything. He dragged me out of the studio, and I could tell he was excited because he was practically dragging me along.
“Slow down Ed, I’m clumsy at this rate I’ll trip and break my nose,” I said and he laughed and slowed down. After a while we got into a car and sat down, waiting for the driver. He turned to me as we sat down and grabbed my hand and laced his fingers with mine. His skin felt rough against my hand, his fingers were calloused from all the guitar playing and his skin was also a bit dry.
“Why am I here, Ed?” I asked quietly, looking down at our hands. It felt right.
“I want to get to know you, Hana, I want to know what's going through your mind, what keeps you up at night, what makes you laugh and what makes you sad, I want you in my life,” he said and I just looked at him.
“But how is that going to work?” I whispered and he smiled reassuringly.
“It will work, we’ll take it as slow as you want to, and I’ll fly over here or fly you over whenever you want to,” he said and for a moment his eyes flickered down to my lips. I was biting my bottom lip and he traced it with his finger and leaned in. Just as his lips were about to touch mine, I turned my face so he kissed my cheek instead.
“I’m sorry, I’m just not ready,” I said and he just smiled.
“Its okay love, I’m never going to force you into anything, I just got caught up in the moment,” he said and I nodded. I squeezed his hand, reassuring him and he smiled again.
“How long are you here for?” I asked him thinking he only was here for the night.
“A few days love.” He said and I smiled.
“Fancy going for a McDonald’s ice cream date now?” I asked shyly and he laughed.
“Never thought you’d ask that sounds perfect to me, love,” he said and I giggled.
“They have the best ice cream,” I shrugged, and he agreed. The whole car ride he didn’t let go of my hand. I felt as if I was floating on air and I didn’t want the night to end.
