Always You

53. Final Show

This exact time yesterday I was at Harry's concert in Sydney. Now I'm in Perth at Ed's concert, performing for the last time being his support act.

I can't believe a whole year has passed since Ed gave me the opportunity to travel the world, performing to different cities and countries almost every night. This has been a life changing experience and has definitely made it clear to myself that I want to further my career and sing professionally until the day I die.

"Perth, this is the final show of the tour." I say to the audience as I just finished performing my third song of the night. "You have been amazing tonight and I couldn't have asked for anything more than the praise you have given me so thank you so much."

"I've still got a couple more songs to go but I know Ed is backstage listening to every word I'm saying and judging me for it" I laugh at myself and the crowd screams at the mentioning of Ed.

"As you all know, he is an incredibly talented man and not only has he allowed me to travel the world with him, but he has become one of my best mates. Ed has the biggest heart and is willing to help anyone and everyone. He deserves every single piece of success he has. So I would like to say a massive thank you to you, Ed Sheeran for being the amazing man you are, for helping me with my music, for giving me this opportunity and I wish you all the best on your future tours. Just don't miss me too much knobhead."

I wipe a tear from under my eye. "I'm going to miss seeing his ginger head and huge smile every day. This next song is called Never Forget You."

After performing my final song for the night, I stand in the centre of the stage and gaze over the audience, taking it all in for the last time. I don't think I'll ever get to play to a crowd as big as this, but it is my goal to one day try and achieve that. I thank the crowd and run backstage.

Ed is standing by the side curtains and he jumps out and scares me. I hit his arm "I will definitely not miss that."

He pulls me into a hug. "Thank you so much for being apart of this tour Hailey. I tell you what, I'm going to have a hard time replacing you for my next tour. Logging into YouTube, searching for covers of my songs and coming across your sweet soul will be one of my best decisions in life. The world can now have the opportunity of seeing how great you are. You won't need me to get your name out there anymore. You doing that for yourself because you're an icon. So thank you for all the memories this past year."

"Oh Ed" I squeeze him. "I'm going to miss you."

"I have something for you" he takes my hand and pulls me towards the main area.

"What? You didn't have to get me anything. I told you I wanted to get you something and you made me promise that I wouldn't."

"And you then made me promise that I wouldn't get you anything because performing in my tour was enough. I keep to my promises Hailey."

I pick up the envelope. "So then is this not for me?"

"Open it." He says and I eye him suspiciously before tearing open the envelope. "If a spider jumps out at me I'm going to cry."

Ed chuckles.

As I open it there is a piece of paper inside.

I read it and look up at Ed questioningly. "Dude, I love this song. I know the lyrics."

Printed on this page are the lyrics to Ed's unreleased song, perfect. He wrote it on our flight to Australia and he would continuously ask me for feedback. He didn't need my help because the song is just as it is titled. Perfect.

"I wasn't planning on releasing this song for a while but I want to sing it with you tonight for a one off. And I kept to my promise because this is still you being apart of my show."

"Ed, I would love to."

"Well then you better eat up so you have enough energy for my second last song of the night. You're coming out to perform with me."

I hug him again. "I can never thank you enough for this."

"I know Hailey. You thank me every time I see you and I adore you kid, but it's getting kind of annoying."

I smile "sorry."

"Gosh, if you're not thanking me you're apologising." He clicks his fingers at me. "Go eat."

*

"So everyone" Ed says as he adjusts his microphone. I am watching him from the backstage television. I had an amazing roast chicken for dinner with salad and had my hair and makeup touched up. I'm ready to get back out there and perform.

This time I will be singing with Ed. Sure we have sung together before as we joke around on tour, having fun. But we have never performed for a crowd of people before.

"This kid isn't just a regular girl who got scouted on YouTube. She has one of the best personalities I have ever come across. Whenever I was down and miserable during this long tour, Hailey was the one to put a smile on my face. She has recently met a certain somebody who has been the one to put a smile on her face and I am so happy for them both."

Ed said to me earlier how Harry is one of his best friends and it makes him so happy to see two of the people closest to him finding love together.

If it weren't for Ed, I wouldn't be Harry's girlfriend. Sure we would've come across each other as we are in the same industry. But I'm happy that it happened sooner rather than later.

"Tonight I would like to perform to you a song that none of you would have heard before. That is because I have not yet released it." Ed laughs. "Please welcome to the stage, Hailey Hayes to sing this duet with me."

I run out into the stage and stand beside Ed. He grabs my hand and holds out arms up in the air as the audience screams louder than they have the entire night.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I bring to you, perfect."

Ed starts strumming his guitar and he looks at me and mouths 'you ready'? I nod my head and clear my throat as we begin to sing.