London Girl (ONE SHOT)

One Direction.
A group composed of five boys namely Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik. Probably the most popular boy band in this generation. They’ve captured the hearts of the young through their voice and looks.
And then there’s Brenda, one of the millions who are infected by the Direction Infection. She’s no different with the other fans: wishing to see One Direction in flesh. But that seems impossible. She lives in the Philippines while the guys reside in London. The only chance she’ll meet them is when the guys visit the Philippines, which is actually very rare, or worst, a once in a life time chance. But there’s always another option: watching their concerts overseas. But Brenda isn’t from a very rich family who would have the capacity to fly to another country just to watch a concert. Yes, she’s a fan. She collects One Direction items, watches all their videos and researches about their bios. But buying a plane ticket for a concert would be too much for her.
Luck came into her when her father told them that they would be moving in London due to her father’s work. She was really excited about it, at the same time, sad. She’ll going to leave some of her good friends whom she shared the happiness of being a Directioner with. But her friends, instead of being sad, felt excited and envious.
“You’re so lucky! The chances of you meeting them is suuuuuper high!” said Nicole, while shaking Brenda’s arm.
“Aren’t you supposed to be sad ‘cause I’m leaving?”
“Of course we’re sad! But we can’t do anything about that. If we cry, will that change the fact that you have to go? Let’s just look at the brighter side: YOU’RE GONNA SEE THEM IN PERSON! YOU’RE SUCH A LUCKY GIRL!” said Clarissa excitedly.
All of them were so happy. They even told Brenda to get an autograph from them. Do they think that London is a small place? And those guys would be just loitering around? Oh well.
When they came to London, it wasn’t easy for Brenda to adjust. The temperature, the culture, the environment. Everything was so different from what she grew up with, but she had to. She decided to take apart time job to support her luxury, which would be anything which has 1D on it.
She was accepted at an ice cream shop. It wasn’t really hard for her because the manager approved her of working part-time and taking some break if she had to.
“. . . I guess I’ve told you everything you should know. If you have any questions, you can approach me or ask Nigel about it”, the manager told Brenda.
Nigel is Brenda’s co-worker. He’s in-charge of being Brenda’s mentor while she’s still familiarizing with the shop chores.
“You’re actually a fast learner,” Nigel compliments Brenda. “you’ll master everything in no time.”
“You think so? That would be great!” she replied.
“But I’m curious, what made you do a part time job? Your family seems well off. And you’re still a student. Don’t you think it would be better if you just focus on your studies?” he asks.
“Uhm, actually, I know it’s somewhat embarrassing, but the truth is, I work because I want to save money and be able to buy every 1D items available. Sound crazy, right?” she replied, laughing gently.
“Really? I find it nice though. You’re not asking your parents to buy you stuffs. Girls your ages don’t think like that. You’re really cool. Who’s your favorite among those guys?”
“I actually like them all. But I like Niall Horan the most. He’s just. . . perfect. Those smiles. . . How about you? Why do you work?” Brenda asked Nigel.
“Me? I just want to. That’s why”, he answered while smiling.
“Wow! That smile is. . . so cute! And he just sounds like Niall!” she told herself, looking at Nigel.
“Huh? Something wrong?”
“Uh, nothing. By the way, your eye glasses, aren’t they too dorky? I mean, you can have the fashionable ones, or just wear some contact lenses.”
“I like it this way.” He replied.
“You’re so weird. And secretive. . . ” Brenda said.
“You really think so?”
They stared at each other and laughed it off. That’s how their friendship began.
Work has been good to her. She still got time to study and the salary is reasonable. Plus she gets to observe her new environment. And with Nigel, their friendship grew stronger. Brenda even told him his fantasies about Niall.
“You see, it’s always been my dream to meet him in person! And touch his hands, look straight into his eyes. . .” she told Nigel while looking spaced out.
“You’re like a creeper.” He said while giggling.
“That’s rude to hear. . . but that’s true. And probably that’s what every Directioner would do. Hahaha.”
“Really? That’s how fans think? I never knew!” he replied.
“ Yes, it is. Just a glance from our crushes is a big deal. That may seem little but it’s actually a big deal. But that seems impossible.” She said seriously.
“So, if I looked straight into your eyes, that’s a big deal?”
“Stop kidding around, Nigel! You’re a mood breaker!”
“But being serious doesn’t suit you. You look better when you smile.” He said while smiling.
“Hey. . . are you serious? I might just believe you. Hahaha.” She said awkwardly.
“Was that a passive confession?” She thought. “Why would someone say something like that if they don’t mean it?”
“You know, if you really want something so bad, you must forget the word ‘impossible’. You should not let anyone or anything hinder you from achieving it. Just like One Direction. Winning from that contest seemed impossible, but they tried. Do you think they’ll be in the peak of stardom if they believe it’s impossible?” he said.
Brenda just realized what Nigel said. He was right. She should not let herself get restricted by the ‘impossible’ word.
“By the way, I heard they’ll be having a concert next week. Are you going?” he asked.
“I’m afraid not. My savings is not enough to buy a VIP pass.”
“oh, so you’re aiming for a VIP pass?”
“Yes. Since it’s a once in a life time chance, I should make the most out of it. Probably next time.” She replied.
The next morning, someone left an envelope in Brenda’s home mailbox. It doesn’t state where or who it was from. It only has her name on it. She’s half excited and half nervous about it. When she opened it, she was shocked on what’s inside: a VIP pass for One Direction’s concert. She’s really thankful to that someone who gave it to her. Out of excitement, she called Nigel.
“Hey Nigel! You know what? Someone just gave me concert ticket! I’m really happy!”
“Really? That’s good for you. So does that mean you’ll come?”
“Of course I do! I have too! Wait, why is it so noisy in your place?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” He replied.
“Hi! Brenda!” said some guy who is with Nigel over the phone.
“Don’t mind these people. Me and my friends are just having some fun” said Nigel.
“oh, that guy sounds just like Zayn.” She replied.
“Brenda, your imagination is really something!” he said while laughing. “Oh well, I got to go. Bye!”
The day of the concert arrived and everybody is ecstatic. Every girl is screaming: Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall, Zayn and One Direction. They brought posters and light sticks with them. As for Brenda, she’s lucky because she managed to get a spot right in front of the stage. What a dream come true for her.
The concert started and the girls started to scream louder. Brenda couldn’t help herself but scream with the crowd. Nobody cares anyway. What she’s thinking during that time is how lucky she is and that an impossible dream has came true. Nigel was absolutely right. But she wishes that he’s with her during this time of her life. She wants to share this experience with someone who has motivated her so much.
Everybody is enjoying the concert, especially Brenda who still can’t believe that it’s actually happening. The boys came out and the screams get wilder. Brenda can’t believe it’s actually happening! Those guys in the posters and television. . . they’re standing right in front of her! And she’s seeing Niall with her very own eyes!
“I never thought that this would actually happen!” she told herself.
The boys started singing and the audience sang along with them. The atmosphere is really energetic. The guys walked around the stage, entertaining their fans. Brenda is really lucky that she got that front row spot.
They sang Little Things for last song. And while singing his solo, Niall looked directly into Brenda’s eyes. He even went down the stage and held her hand. Every girl is envious! The other guys did the same. They held their fans’ hands and sang as if they’re serenading them.
That night was really memorable for her, but how he wish he was with Nigel. But. . . why does she always thinks of Nigel? Shouldn’t she be thinking about her other friends who are also fans of 1D? She’s starting to get confused. There might be something there that she’s not aware of.
The next day, Nigel was absent so Brenda has to work alone.
“Why is he not around when I need him most? I have so much to tell him!” she told herself.
Someone entered the shop.
“Welcome!” She greeted, but after seeing them, she was shocked.
“Hello there! I want some vanilla ice cream please. And I want them cold.” Said the customer.
“Ye. . . Yes sir.” She replied while still in shock.
It was the One Direction! She immediately prepared Harry’s order. The other guys told her their orders too.
“I want a strawberry-flavored ice cream. But not the plain one. Please put add-ons that you think will compliment the taste.” Said Louis.
“I want a chocolate ice cream. Please put syrup on it. No, I mean pour syrup on it.” Zayn ordered.
“I’ll have rocky road then.” Said Liam.
“Anything’s fine with me.” Said Niall.
After ordering, the guys sat on the couch and started chatting. They’re just like a normal group of guys at all. Brenda prepared the orders and added what the guys requested. Since she’s a hardcore fan, she knew what would those guys want to be in their orders. She casually looks at the guys while preparing their orders. Is it a dream? She thought. Once again, she’s seeing the One Direction! And it was just the six of them inside the shop since someone put the “closed” sign on the door. Probably not to attract people. But she doesn’t care. Of course these guys would like to eat their ice cream in peace. If Brenda is not a worker, she’ll probably be asking for autographs and pictures and ask them random questions. Unfortunately, she’s working and it’s only her who’s on duty. Even the manager is not around. Plus, if she approaches those guys, she might interrupt their day off. So she decided not to say anything and just observe them. But of course, as a fan, she has stuffs playing inside her head.
She put the guys’ orders in their table. The guys stopped talking and thanked Brenda. They’re amazed at how she knew very well what they would like best for their ice creams. Brenda turned red.
“I don’t want to sound conceited but, are you a fan of us? You seemed to know what we like. Or probably, you’re just good in guessing.” Asked Louis.
“Uhm, I. . . am a fan of your group. So I should know what you guys like.” She answered.
“You mean, a fan should know everything about us? That sounds creepy.” Zayn replied.
All the other guys laughed. Brenda smiled and thought that these guys are actually cool. She returned to the counter and observed the guys while eating their orders.
“I heard you serve cookies here too?” Harry asked Brenda.
“Ah, yeah. Would you like some? Our Chocolate Chip Cookie is the best.” She answered.
“Then give us some.” Liam said.
“And please make me a strawberry milk shake.”Harry added.
Brenda prepared the new orders. While preparing, she noticed Niall looking at her, or it was just her imagination. But Niall smiled at her. He was actually looking at her! Her face turned red and lost her focus on what she’s doing. Niall noticed it and helped Brenda prepare the orders. She’s amazed at how well Niall know what to do. In the end, it was just Niall who prepared the orders because Brenda just stood up there and stared at him.
“I wonder what you’re thinking right now? Cause I heard that some fans got wild imaginations.”Niall teases Brenda.
“Uh, I. . . was just amazed that you know what to do. That’s all” she replied while trying to act normal.
“Maybe because I have the same job?” he said while smiling.
Niall brought the orders to their table and the other took the cooks as soon as they saw it.
After they finished their food, Brenda took the chance and ask if she could take a picture of them.
“Sure! Take that as a payment for the good ice cream and cookies you served us.” Said Louis.
Brenda took a picture with the guys one by one. She seemed to be enjoying this. Why not? It has always been her dream! And not only her dream, her friends’ too! When it was Niall’s turn to take a picture with her, Niall put his arms around her shoulders.
“You two look like a real couple.” Harry said.
“You think so? Should we go out?” Niall said, obviously teasing Brenda.
Brenda once again turned red. But of course, she was flattered that Niall would say something like that, even if it was a joke. After taking photos, the guys bid good bye to her.
“See you around, Brenda.” Niall said.
Niall walked towards her and kissed her forehead before leaving. Up until now, she can’t believe of what happened. After a few moment, Nigel came.
“The manager told me to help you close the shop.” He said.
“Nigel!” Brenda said, hugging him. “You wouldn’t believe what happened!”
“You’re so energetic. I bet it’s something good?” he replied.
Brenda told Nigel everything, from the concert night up to what just happened earlier.
“Are you sure those things happened? Or it was again your wild imagination?” Nigel said.
“Of course it happened! We’ve even got some pictures!” Brenda said and showed her camera.
“But I guess something’s missing. A real fan wouldn’t forget to ask for their autographs.” he said in a teasing voice.
It was only then when Brenda realized that she forget to ask for their autographs and she was really depressed about it.
“I’m really an idiot to forget such thing! That’s the first thing a fan should ask.” She said while punching her head.
“But I think what you should think about right now is getting home. It’s late already. I’d better walk you home.” He said.
Brenda walked home with Nigel. She thanked him for sending her home.
“You’re so nice to me ever since. You’ve been a big help. Thank you.” She said.
“If it’s you, it’s fine.” Nigel said while patting Brenda’s head.
Once again, Brenda blushed.
“You sure blush a lot, don’t you?” he said.
“It. . . it can’t be helped.”
Before Nigel walked away, he kissed Brenda’s forehead, leaving her in a state of shock. She thought that the kiss feels familiar.
Brenda couldn’t sleep very well that night. She doesn’t know if it’s because of what happened between her and One Direction or is it because of Nigel’s actions towards her.
Since she wasn’t able to have a good sleep, her performance at work isn’t very well.
“Had trouble sleeping last night?” Nigel asked.
Brenda nodded. Nigel is aware that something’s bothering her so he didn’t dare to ask.
“By the way,” Nigel said, “someone gave me this earlier and told me to hand this to you.” Nigel handed an envelope.
There wasn’t anything written in the envelope except Brenda’s name, and it was the same handwriting with the first envelope (the one that was sent to her house and contains concert ticket). She opened the envelope and saw autograph pictures of One Direction.
“ Who could this be? I bet he’s the same person who sent the concert tickets.” She said.
“Whoever he is, aren’t you thankful? I don’t find any harm in what’s he’s doing.” Said Nigel.
“But what could his reason be? He’s so nice to me.”
“Maybe someone who likes you?” Nigel answered.
Brenda sighed and said, “how could I ever thank him?”
“Maybe seeing you appreciate his works is enough.”
“You think he’s somebody I know? But there are only few people I know here. But anyway, you’re right. Whoever he is, I’m thankful.” She replied.
Since there were no customers that time, they turned on the TV and watched some news.
“. . . it is reported that someone from One Direction is disguising as a commoner and wanders around.” Said the female reporter.
“Well, that’s a nice tactic to not attract attention while strolling in the streets. I bet he’s good because nobody reported that they’ve seen them that guy around. Who could that be?” said the other
Brenda was shocked when she heard this news and said, “what if he has been a customer here once? And I am not aware of it? Hahaha.”
“I don’t think that would be possible. “ said Nigel.
“Nah. . . just let me dream for once!” pinching Nigel’s cheeks.
When Brenda came home, she can’t help but think about what she heard in the news. She doesn’t know why, but she have this feeling that this One Direction guy is just around, watching her moves. What gave her this thought? The concert ticket, the autographed photos, and her personal interaction with the whole One Direction. This can’t be a coincident.
Instead of going to sleep, she decided to do some investigation. Her goal might seem impossible to achieve, but there’s no harm in trying, she said. After researching thoroughly, she found out something: she was right. That One Direction guy is just around her. She can’t believe that he’s always been around, without noticing it.
The next day, Brenda went to her work, without getting enough sleep.
“Not a good sleep, huh?” Nigel said.
Brenda just looked at him straight into his eyes with a serious expression.
“Is there a problem? Are. . . Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong?” he asked.
“Tell me the truth. . . are you Niall Horan?”
“Woah. . . . what’s with that question? Was that because of what you heard yesterday?” he replied while laughing.
“I did some research, you and Niall have so much something in common.” She said seriously.
“Uh. . . ”
“Do not underestimate a fan” Brenda said.
Nigel felt the urged to tell the truth, it’s Brenda anyway. She found out already, there’s no point on denying.
“Yeah, it was me. I just want to feel free sometimes so I decided to do this. I am sorry, it’s not my intention to play a prank on you . . .” he said, apologizing to Brenda
“What are you talking about? I am not mad! I am. . . I am really happy! Niall Horan has been by my side the whole time! Maybe what you did is really unforgivable, but since I like you very much, I don’t care about it.” She said enthusiastically.
“I. . . I didn’t expect that would be your reaction! But honestly, I plan to tell you about it. I just don’t know how.”
“Forget about it, are you the one sending me tickets and pictures?”
Niall nodded.
“I’ve never thought that something like this can happen!” she said.
“I told you, nothing is impossible, right?” he replied.
“Yeah, but this. . . this is beyond imagination!”
“Oh Brenda, how could I not like you? I am so lucky to know you.” he said while smiling.
Brenda blushed. Niall hugged her and said,
“Really, I’m glad that I’ve met you. The moment I saw, I know that you are going to be special to me. I was just afraid that you might despise me if I tell you the truth. But I’m glad you didn’t.”
Brenda’s mind went blank during that time. She can’t think of anything but Niall hugging her. Then someone came in.
“Woah, did we disturb you guys?” Zayn said.
“Isn’t it obvious?” said Niall.
“But we think it’s a happy ending, right?” Louis said.
“Yeah. So now, I formally tell you guys, this is Brenda, and she is my girl.”
“hey wait!” Brenda said, “aren’t you gonna ask for my permission first?”
“Do I still have to?” Niall said.
Brenda didn’t replied. She just smiled.
“You were right, nothing is impossible.” She whispered to Niall.

Notes

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