Switched Up (Niall Horan Fan Fiction) - ON HOLD

Prologue

Prologue

  "Come on Stella. You can do this!" My best friend, Cassidy cheered me on as I stared at the dialer pad on my phone.

   "No I can't," I complained looking at the sheet of paper in my hand. "I don't need a love hot line." 

   Cassidy sighed, and snatched the piece of crumpled up paper from me. There was this new love hot line called Cupid's Love line that opened down the street from us a few weeks ago. Every time we'd pass this shop, it looked like some old fortune tellers doing. Cassidy and I would always make fun of why anyone would go in there. The lady always had her 'business cards' in a little bowl in front of her store - so last week Cassidy took one.

   "This could be the perfect prank." Cassidy said, handing me back the piece of paper.

    "I know, but don't you think it's a little mean to be doing this? For all we know it could be a scam." I pointed out, raising one of my eyebrows while a smirk formed on my lips.

   "Then we'll be the ones to figure it out." Cassidy gave me a little shove, "So hurry up and dial!" 

   I groaned, but complied with her request anyway and started to punch the numbers into my keypad of my flip phone.

     589-5683

    I noticed the last four numbers spelt out love and I shuddered at the thought. Sure, I had a few boyfriends but I knew once uttered the words I love you in the same sentence to them. Whether they said it or not. Just because I was dating them didn't mean I loved them, I just liked them enough to say yes to their proposal. 

   "Hello and welcome to Cupids Hot line," An electronic automated voice started out as soon as I typed in the number, "Business hours are from nine am to eight-thirty pm. If you'd like to speak to a live operator, press one. If you are seeking to talk to your match, press two followed by your pin code. If you are new to our program, press three followed by the pound key."

    I did just as the automated female voice told me too, and pressed three followed by the pound key. It took a minute for the automated machine to process my request before the robotic lady was back, followed by a strum of a harp in the background. I rolled my eyes, this was so cliche and Cassidy knew it. 

    Once the lady started speaking, I pressed speaker so Cassidy could listen in on what the robotic lady was telling me.

     Ten minutes later, Cassidy and I had set up an account via the robotic lady and had a number to call to speak to a live consultant who would help us find our 'match'. Cassidy prompted me to dial the number, which I gladly did. My lips were pressed together as the dial tone sounded, trying to contain my laughter.

    "Hello and welcome Stella Loheart." The consultant spoke, once she answered the phone. Stella Loheart was a play off the words lonely heart since we didn't want to use my real last name.

   "To get you started in our Cupid's Hot line program, I need to ask you a few simple questions to help you find your match that Cupid has chosen for you." The consultant continued, and I glanced over at Cassidy who was grinning ear to ear.

    "For the first question, what qualities do you look for in a man?"

    I cleared my throat, making it a little higher and snobbier than I usually sounded. "Well, he has to have money. If he doesn't have money, even if he's the most attractive man in the world I will not even let him breath the same air as me."

   The consultant made a noise, "Go on."

    "His name has to be Richard. I do not date anyone unless any part of their name looks or sounds like Richard." 

   The consultant was silent for a moment. "You'e requests seem a little bit high in standards I presume, Miss Loheart."

    "That's what everyone says, but I don't think I'm being unreasonable." I said, rolling my eyes at Cassidy who was doubled over her chair in silent laughter. I put a finger to my lips to shush her when she started to hiccup.

     "Miss Loheart, this dating service is for people who are over eighteen. Are you over eighteen?"

     Next year I will be. I thought to myself, but out loud I told the consultant, "I'm over twenty-one. Now, I thought this was a dating service not a questionnaire show." 

    "I'm sorry but this is too damn funny." Cassidy said, before taking the phone from my hands. "Look lady, this Cupid's hot line is so stupid. Why don't you pack up shop and get out of our town? No one wants you here!"

       I took the phone back and craddled it in my hand. "No one is buying this crap. No one is ever in your store. Why would anyone bother with a cheesy place like Cupids Hot line? Do us a favor and leave." I requested, before hitting the end call button. I flipped the top of the phone back into place before giving Cassidy a high five.

      "I would give anything see that old bats face right now." Cassidy chided, before letting out one last laugh followed by a sigh. I nodded in agreement, but I now felt sort of guilty that we even called in the first place.

~*~

      "Nothing's going to happen Stells, I promise." Cassidy said, picking up her duffel bag that had her clothes from last night in it. 

        All night, I stayed up wondering if what we did was right or wrong. On the plus side, it was sort of fun. But it wasn't right to do something to someone who never did anything to us. I sighed, opening the front door for Cassidy and letting her out to where her mom's prius was parked.

       I watched the smoke roll out of the tailpipe as Cassidy walked out of my house and down the stone steps to her mums' car in the brisk autumn England air. I sighed, leaning aginst the door frame and waved to Cassidy who waved back once she got into the passenger seat. I stayed at the door until I saw Cassidy's mum put on her left turn signal and head down another street towards their house.

     "This came for you in the post today." Was the first thing my mum said when I walked into the kitchen. She slid a thick wad of paper across the counter and I picked it up when it slowed to a stop near me. 

       "I never signed up for this." I said, waving the magazine around while my heart beat increased.

     My mum shrugged, flipping throught the enevelopes that contained monthly bills. "Has your name on it." 

      I stared at the title of the magazine, printed in fancy red and pink script. Cupid's Monthly. I set down the magazine on the marble counter and backed away from it as if it was going to explode any second. I knew what we did yesterday was wrong because of the nagging at the back of my mind. But, how did Cupid's Hot line get my real name and address? 

     I put my hand over my heart to feel the frantic beating. I couldn't take my eyes off of the magazine that was on the counter. If my mum was calling my name, I didn't know. All I could hear was the sound blood rushing from my heart to my ears. 

~*~

New fan fiction. I really like the idea of it, and even though Stella and Cassidy weren't that mean these hot lines don't take things lightly(I should know, lol). Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed it.

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