What Is Life? - A George Harrison FanFic

Chapter 1

It was my big break, traveling to London for a photo shoot, wearing all clothes I've made. This new fashion line would be out in one month and the photos we take today at Irwin Parker's studio will be displayed on billboards across London and then across New York and then Los Angeles.

I traveled with a small team and we will be staying here on and off for the duration of the project and the release and parties to celebrate.

"Welcome, Lauren," the receptionist guided us into the studio where Irwin Parker was all ready with the lighting and camera set ups.

My team consisted of my agent/manager/body guard of sorts: Darry; and my best friend and Darry's personal assistant, Jenna. We also have the addition of hired help to bring all of our stuff around where we go. That was it, we traveled here and will be figuring things out as we go. I knew it was my talents that brought the three of us here but I wouldn't be anywhere without them at my side. So I believed.

"Isn't she lovely?" I overheard Darry ask Irwin while looking at some of the photos taken after I had tilted my head in every which direction and swapped clothes on and off numerous times.

"You photograph well, my darling." He nodded in my direction, "come... look."

This was my first time modeling professionally but I knew what to do, I had seen models in action when I drained my last line for a show. This time I was designing for myself and becoming a model. I never thought that would be the case but I just want to show off my own designs.

"I agree that these are worthy of a billboard." I nodded at them both standing there.

"A billboard?" He looked mesmerized. "These photos are worthy of being draped over the Taj Mahal itself."

I thought it odd that that would be the most popular place he could think of but figured he must be a religious man of some sort.

Irwin then went on to praise himself and talk all about how he couldn't wait to have his name on these photos. I immediately had Darry reel him in and remind him that we were doing business but could take our business elsewhere.

He quickly shaped up. We had lunch and then did one more quick shoot with a few designs I just made. I couldn't help but look out the window and see a crowd of people.

"You know, the Beatles rehearse just up the road from here," Irwin noticed me looking out.

"The Beatles are in town?!" Jenna asked becoming instantly infatuated and running over to the window. I knew she was a fan but never really discussed it with her.

"They have been as of late, they are based here at Abbey Road studios."

I knew very little of who they were, but knew people went absolutely mad over them.

I went back to work and Irwin couldn't believe I was uninterested in what was going on down in the streets below.

"I have photographed them, I know them personally," he said setting his camera down.

Darry had stepped out to make a few phone calls and wouldn't be back for a bit and now that we were done I had no choice but to sit there and wait while he went on and on about them.

"Could you arrange for us to meet them?" Jenna finally asked him, obsessed with the thought.

"They aren't that interested in girls who throw themselves at them, but I do happen to know they are in search of a new look, and they might be excited about working with Lauren here."

I grew intrigued, they needed a new style? Al I knew about them is there are four guys who have bowl cut hair and mediocre suits. Always matching, I had seen a photo or two. I didn't think in my wildest dreams I'd get to meet a rock band, but I decided right there I wouldn't act like Jenna. And she wouldn't be able to come to the meeting. I knew she'd never be able to compose herself.

With no hesitation Irwin was making phone calls and I went back to packing the wardrobe to be taken to the hotel. I wanted to maybe move into my own studio here in London at some point but we hadn't made those plans yet.

Darry returned to Jenna and I sitting on some of the luggage we had waiting for him to call in the reinforcements to carry it all out. The chatter in the streets was now gone and I had wondered what it was they were crowded around to see.

"You finished up quick," he said to us and looked around, "that was some logistical stuff I had to take care of for next month, sorry to leave you two alone."

He looked around once more , "where is the old guy?" He said referring to Irwin.

"He's getting Lauren a meeting with the Beatles." Jenna exclaimed happily.

"He's what?" He looked concerned, "for what reason."

"They are in town as well, right up the road and have told him they need help with a new look."

"When are we going to have time for helping them?" He asked sternly, "we have shoots and you need to stay on your designs for the next catalog, and in a few weeks things are going to be hectic with the launch."

"Let's just meet them." I said to him.


Within minutes Irwin was back and ushering us to the offices on the next floor. Darry was uninterested in the idea of us meeting them and I was indifferent. Then there was Jenna who was upset that she would have to wait in the lobby, even after promising to behave.

In walked 5 guys I vaguely recognized. One of them who was wearing a suit must have been their manager.

I sat there unimpressed by the outfits they were wearing. They seemed currently disheveled and in need of my services. Although I had never really designed for men but I did have an eye for the styles of our time.

Irwin introduced the manager as "Brian Epstein" and then the three of them went into another room and left me sitting across from the four bandmates. They were talking amongst themselves.

"Actually," I stood up and looked at them kindly, "I would like to be introduced."

"What do you mean, be introduced?" The one who looked the cutest sat up straight.

Then another piped in "do you not know our names?"

I shook my head "I am sure I have heard them before I just can't remember and I haven't had the chance to ask my friend," I said with honestly, "she is slightly obsessed with you guys and I made sure she wouldn't be here so you guys didn't have to be subjected to that."

"We have a saint in our midst." The same one said.

"Well?" I looked at each of them and then rolled my eyes and sat back down.

"Well we don't know your name?" The third asked, they seemed to all of a sudden be having fun with our discussion.

"Lauren Woods," I gave a curtsy.

I noticed the final Beatle leaning by a window looking just as annoyed as I was. Then he finally spoke.

"I'm George, that's Paul, John and this one here is Mr. Ringo Starr."

I nodded in his direction as a thank you. He returned it with a nod of his own and then looked back out the window.

"George, you ruined the fun." John said and the group burst into laughter, "we're sorry for the bad first impression, we just aren't used to being regular guys. No more than two hours ago we couldn't even walk down the street for lunch without a mob following us."

"Is that what that was, I was looking out and wondering if there was a sale somewhere that I needed to be a part of."

I saw George smirk but keep his eye down on London below.

Then John started laughing slowly and Paul spoke.

"Brian told us your story, the basics, we are interested in your help," Paul added, "we've been experimenting with new looks, growing out our hair, growing mustaches, Brian always wanted us to have a clean cut act but now we are so adored we can really be anything we want."

Almost immediately Darry and Brian walked right back in and Brian said to me,

"You're hired."