A New Direction (A One Direction Fan Fiction)

Prologue

Rain drummed on the windshield, blurring my view of the heavy London traffic surrounding us. Thunder rumbled overhead, and a bit of lightning flashed in the distance. Typical. It would rain at the beginning of summer.

 I closed my eyes and tried to tune out the hum of my father’s voice. He was going on about his about his job, completely oblivious to my inattention.

A couple horns went off behind us, and I winced at the sound. God, I hated traffic. I leaned my head against the window, enjoying the coolness on my face.

“Are you even listening?”

My father’s sharp voice suddenly snapped at me.

“Yes, of course.” I lied, my eyes still closed.

“So what do you think?”

“About what?” I asked through a yawn.

He exhaled in annoyance.

 “A.Y.D. is organizing a concert tour to America this summer.” He spoke slowly, “I’ve just been chosen as the manager. We leave in a week, and I want you to come with me.”

I blinked at him, shocked.

My dad was a tour manager at A.Y.D. Tour and Event Production Company. Basically, he was always travelling around Europe managing concert tours for bands. But America? That was new. And I go with him?

“America.” I stated blankly, trying to make sense of it all.

“Yes.”

“And I’m going with you?” My voice raised an octave. I was beginning to panic. No way was I going.

“Yes.”

“What if I don’t want to go?” I asked desperately, even though I already had a feeling what his answer would be.  

“You don’t have a choice actually.” He said simply. “Your mom and I have talked this out, and we both think that a change of scenery would do you some good. Especially with what you’ve been doing lately…”

I groaned internally. Arguing would be pointless now. It was time for “the talk.” I slouched back in my chair and glared out the window.

“Vandalizing a school… Drinking underage… stealing…” He said to himself darkly. “It’s something new every time.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Why do you do things like that? What were you thinking?”  He hissed, his knuckles turning white as he clenched the steering wheel.

“Well I was thinking I wouldn’t get caught, to be honest.” I replied, smiling cheekily as his expression turned livid.

“Well, Emma,” he growled. “Things are going to change. This trip will be good for you. Maybe you’ll finally grow up.”

I glowered at him.

“But what the hell am I going to do in America?”

“I’ve got you a job. You’re going to be an assistant for our road manager, Jessica.”

“A job?” I asked with raised eyebrows. “An actual job?”

“Yes. More like an internship, actually. But I want you to take it seriously. The only reason you have this opportunity is because I convinced my boss that you’re an experienced, hard working and efficient worker.”

“So, basically, you lied.” I smirked at him with raised eyebrows.

“Emma,” He sighed irritably. “You are now 18 years old. It’s time that you stop acting irrational and learn how to be a responsible adult.”

“So you expect me to learn how to be a responsible adult from the man who lied to his superiors just to get his irrational daughter a job?” I asked amusedly.

“Fine. Yes, I did lie, but only because I expect you to live up to it. This job is your chance to turn your life around-”

“Do I get paid?” I interrupted, as the thought suddenly came into my mind.

“Well… yes, but not much.”

I smiled, seeing the whole thing in a new light. Even if it wasn’t a lot, I was still getting paid to go to concerts all around America.

I tried to remember the last concert I went to. I couldn’t. It was that good.

Now I was going to do that practically every night in another country. This was going to be fun.

“What band is it, by the way?” I asked excitedly. My dad raised his eyebrows at my change in mood.

“Well, they’re pretty popular now- you’ve probably heard of them-”

“Who?”

“They’re called One Direction.”