A Prankster's Love ~ Book #1 of 1D series

Chapter One

Author's Note: MARLA TO THE RIGHT

Marla Jenson leaned back in her chair, staring at the front door of the small prank shop she worked in. It was practically a cubby in between some large storefronts. She ran her fingers through her long dark brown waves and sighed lightly. She had moved here to London about two months ago to help her aging grandfather with his business, and was loving it! Well, not the waiting, but still. Around nine, she closed up and headed down the street to her grandfather's flat.

A boy with brown hair and bright blue eyes came flying down the street, crashing right into her as numerous girlish screams could be heard in the distance, “I’m so sorry, love,” He said quickly as he picked them both off the ground. The boy fidgeted nervously as the screams became louder.

Marla grabbed her things that had fallen, glancing behind her shoulder at where the screams where coming from, "What on earth is going on? Is it a riot?" She smiled cockily, "If it is, I so wanna join in." Not damage anything or things like that, she just wanted to say she was there.

“I wouldn’t exactly say a ‘riot’…more like crazy fangirls...” He shifted his weight nervously, “But uh….can we discuss this somewhere….not so public where I can get mobbed?”

She raised an eyebrow as she unlocked the store's door, stepping aside and letting him in. Fangirls, huh? Wonder who this guy is…

He breathed a sigh of relief as he ran a hand through his hair and looked around the shop, a childish grin spreading across his face, “This place is AWESOME!”

Marla hopped up on the counter,grabbing one of the clown masks tom the wall and slipping it on, "I know right?? Best place to work EVER.”

He started laughing as he watched her, “Tomlinson….Louis Tomlinson,” He said in his best James Bond voice.

She cocked her head, still keeping the mask on, "Louis Tomlinson, huh? Well, it's nice to meetchya. I'm Marla!”

Louis smiled brightly, “Lovely name.”

"Why, thank ya! Now, Louis," Marla took the mask off and carefully put it back on the wall, "why were you being hunted down by a bunch of cray, psychotic fangirls?" She glanced over her shoulder at him, "Unless, of course, you'd rather not tell me and be like one of those super cool spies who lie and then sneak off and I never get to see you again in my life except by one mere coincidence??”

Louis couldn’t help but laugh, “Nah, I figure I can just save us both some time if I just tell you now.” He said down on a chair, “So, basically I’m a member of this band called One Direction and I got separated from my band mates when we had to split up in an attempt to lose the fangirls. I, being me, was in such a hurry I accidentally ran into you….which I am glad I did…”

She cocked her head and smirked, "Okay, if you don't want to tell me the truth, it's all good." Marla turned and adjusted a few things on the walls. One Direction… her cousin had been squealing about them on the phone yesterday. But, please. This guy couldn't seriously be part of that band. Right?

“Fine,” Louis smirked as he rolled his eyes, “Don’t believe me, look it up online.”

"Eh." Marla looked out the window, checking to see if the coast was clear, "Looks like you can go find your friends now. I don't hear any screaming fan girls.”

“Awwwww…” Louis pouted, “But I wanna hang out with you more…”

She shrugged, sighing heavily as she put the back of her hand to her forehead, "Alas, the time has come for us to part!”

“But,” Louis said in a dramatic voice, “If we part ways my heart shall surely break.”

Marla let out a laugh as she gently shoved him out the door, "Gorilla glue should fix it.”

“Can I at least have the number to your cellular device?” Louis asked teasingly as he gently held her wrist.

"I'd say yes, but I don't exactly give my number to strangers." She smiled lightly as she locked the shop door yet again, "And I really have to get going.”

“Smart girl…” Louis smiled cheekily, “Wel…do you work tomorrow?”

"Nope. I'm going to some concert thing with my Cousin, so I have the day off." She turned to face him, her free hand on her hip, "I should be here the day after, though!”

Louis smiled brightly, “Then I’ll be here!”

Marla tilted her chin up a little, a cocky half-smile, playing on her lips, "We shall meet again!”

“I shall count the seconds,” Louis put his hand to his heart jokingly.

She chuckled lightly and waved before rushing off down the street. 

Liam ran his fingers through his hair, looking around. He'd found the other boys, but couldn't find Louis at all. "Management is going to get us if we don't find him.." He mumbled.

Louis watched her go before turning and walking down the street, the widest most goofy smile on his face he had ever had.

--

Marla opened the door to her grandfather's flat and walked in, sliding her shoes off, "I'm home!” 

"How'd it go?" Grandpa George called from the living room. 

"Went well…" 

--

"Harry, call Louis. Maybe he'll pick up if you do." Liam said as he slipped his phone into his pocket.

Louis headed in the direction of the tour bus as his phone started to ring, the smile not leaving his face as he answered without looking at the caller I.D. “‘Ello?"

“Louis, this is Harry, where are you?” Harry asked frantically.

“I’m on my way to the tour bus right now,” Louis explained as he began to skip down the road in a….Louis (?) fashion, “Had to lose some directioners.”

“Alright, see ya,” Harry said before hanging up, turning to Liam he said, “He’s on his way to the tour bus."

Liam nodded slightly, "let's get over there then. Before any more fangirls find us.” 

Zayn nodded in agreement.

“Can we get something to eat?” Niall pleaded, “All this running is making me hungry….for NANDOS!”

"No, Niall, we have to get to the bus.”

“Liiiiiaaaaammmmmm,” Niall whined, “I’m gonna starve if I don’t eat something soon.”

"There's food on the bus!" 

--

Marla answered her ringing phone and put it on speakerphone, "Hello?" 

"Marla!!! Are you ready for tomorrow?? I'm so excited!" Her cousin Shyla squealed. 

"Yep. Super excited. Whoo hoo. Listen, I'm going to catch some sleep. See you tomorrow." 

"See ya!!”

--

“Zaynnn,” Niall ran and buried his face in Zayn’s shoulder, “Liam thinks the food on the bus is just as good as Nando’s, this is terrible.”

Zayn chuckled lightly, "I agree with Niall, Liam." He said as he gently patted his friend's back. 

"Ziall is not allowed right now, guys.”

“Let us ride off into the sunset that is Nandos!” Niall said playful as he jumped in hopes Zayn would carry him.

Zayn began running off towards Nandos, Niall on his back and Liam chasing them down.

“WOOHOO!” Niall yelled happily as they headed for Nandos.

Harry laughed at all of them as he trailed behind, “And they call Louis the crazy one.”