Hard to Handle (A 1D Story)

Ch. 7 - Photo Shoot

Chapter 7 - Photo Shoot

The Teen Vogue photo shoot was on site at their San Fernando Valley branch office, inside a skyscraping property in some kind of industrial suburb. Everything in the Valley was either industry or suburb.

I was currently standing and chatting with the boys in the parking structure, waiting for the rest of their entourage to arrive from the W. All five guys were all dressed better than I was; in skinny jeans and sneakers even though it was a hot June day in LA. As a lifelong LA girl, I could never pull that off. If it was higher than 75 degrees out, I was automatically in shorts, shades, and Rainbows. And it was probably 85+ degrees already.

An Escalade identical to the one issued to me pulled up in the parking lot, and the six of us watched as a group of people got out and started unloading equipment from the trunk. A woman in her late-20’s, with a stylish blond fringe bang and a grey muscle tee that I loved, approached us, holding a baby girl. I know this, I thought anxiously as she got closer. Lou. Something. Teasdale. Stylist? Make-up artist? The baby was definitely Lux. Or. Luxor. Right?

“Hi, hi, hi!” Lou greeted the boys with a huge smile and wave. “Oh, I’ve missed you guys!” She handed the baby off to Harry (who didn’t seem surprised at this), and gave everyone a big hug. When she reached me, she gave me a hug and a cheek kiss (which, as a lame American, I completely screwed up).

“You must be Jennifer, right?” she smiled. “The handler they hired for LA?”

“Yes!” It was so cool that she remembered my name. “And you must be Lou? So nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, love. So nice of you to spot the house for the boys.” Then addressing all of us, she said, “Okay, you guys go in first. I have to get my usual load of beauty supplies to make these fellows look presentable.” She laughed. “Jen, let the journalist know about the interview stuff. You have the list of rules, yeah? And Harry, if you could just hold on to Lux for a bit until I get in there.”

“Got it.”

We all nodded and let her return to the car, where tons of supplies had suddenly filled the perimeter.

“She’s awesome,” I mused in girly admiration as we walked towards the elevator that led into the tall building. “I love her hair.”

“Yeah, Lou’s the best,” Liam added. “Like the big sister some of us never had.”

“And Lux is like the little one,” said Louis, turning to poke at her in Harry’s arms. I watched as Harry bounced Lux around like a natural. How is an 18 year old boy so good with children?

As we entered the elevator, Harry suddenly noticed my gaze and grinned. “Oh. Hey. D’ you want to meet Jennifer, Lux?” He held the baby out to me.

I stared at Lux. As far as babies go, she was definitely one of the cuter ones – with big intelligent blue eyes and wispy blond hair. But also as far as babies go… I wasn’t really a fan.

“Hiya,” I greeted Lux awkwardly, clutching her little hand. She squeezed back. Aw, cute.

Harry looked at me like I was crazy. “Well? Go on then,” he held her out more. “Give her a hug.”

I shrunk back slightly. “That’s okay. I might drop her.”

“Don’t be silly. She likes you, go on.”

“No, that’s okay! Really.” I ducked behind Niall, who was starting to laugh hysterically.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe it,” Louis joined in on the laughter. “You’re afraid of babies!”