little child || j.p.m.

14 // magazine

January 20th, 1962
Liverpool, England
7:46 am
Erika's POV
~
I put on my clothes and Delilah's. I carried her downstairs and put on my coat. I decided to go to a coffee shop the morning. It wasn't too far from here, just a few blocks away.

It was quite cold outside and Delilah was nuzzled into my jacket. Luckily, the coffee shop had a heater that warmed us up just right. I was waiting in line to order my coffee when I saw a stack of magazines. I picked up a Vogue one. On the cover was Wilhelmina Cooper. I flipped through the first couple of pages and then it was my turn in life.

I just ordered a coffee for me and I got a muffin for Delilah.

After my order was taken I sat down at a table. Delilah was sat on my lap playing with her lamb. I flipped through the magazine again and gasped when I saw my pictures.

"Mommy!" Delilah pointed at my pictures.

"Pretty." She said.

I quickly stuffed the magazine in my bag. The barista called my name and I quickly got my coffee and Delilah's muffin and left.

I was walking down the sidewalk back to the house. I was practically leaping with joy after seeing myself in a Vogue magazine.

When I got to the house, I quickly opened the door and went to the living room. Delilah sat on the floor with her muffin and played with some toys. I took the magazine out of my bag while dialing Martin's number on the phone. He picked up a few rings later.

"Hello?" I heard him say.

"Martin! Did you see my page in the magazine?" I yelled into the phone.

"Don't yell so loud." Martin laughed. "And yes, I did see."

"The pictures turned out so nice! Astrid is a really good photographer."

"Only the best for you, Ms. Davis." Martin said.

"I suppose I should be going now." I said.

"Actually, Erika, I was going to talk to you about something." Martin said. "The ones in charge of Vogue saw your pictures in the magazine and they've decided they want you to be the cover of the next issue."

My jaw dropped. Me? The cover of a magazine? Let me rephrase that: the cover of Vogue magazine!

"Me? Me as in Erika Davis? They want me to be the cover of the next issue for Vogue!" I gasped.

"Yes. They said they didn't want any other woman on the cover." Martin said.

"When's the next issue going to come out?" I asked.

"In about a week. That's why I want you at our building tomorrow at 9 in the morning to shoot some things for the cover. Sound good?"

"That sounds great! I'll be there tomorrow."

"Great. Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up the phone and sunk back in the couch.

Life's been turning into more of a dream lately.
~
January 21st, 1962
London, England
8:52 am
Erika's POV
~
I stepped out of the car that drove me to the luxurious building for Vogue. It still amazes me when I step inside. I admire the walls much like I did the first time I walked in to audition.

"Ms. Davis! There you are!" I heard Martins voice from behind me.

"You always seem to come out of nowhere." I chuckled.

"Talent seems to come out of nowhere too. I guess we have something in common. Anyways, follow me." Martin said.

He guided me to the elevator and we both stepped in. It took only a few seconds to be on the correct floor.

"We've picked some outfits for you to wear. Our writers are brewing up an article entirely dedicated to you. The pictures we don't use for the cover will go on the same page as the article. It's a whole long process that I can't explain right now. I'll be going now, but do good with your shoot." Martin said.

"Hello, Miss Davis." One of the clothing and makeup women said.

"I'm Daina, if you don't remember me. I was here on your last shoot."

"Hello. I do remember you. Thanks for being so patient with me last time."

"No problem. I could tell you were nervous because you kept sweating off all the makeup."

I chuckled, remembering that embarrassing moment.

"Good morning, Erika!" I heard a cheery voice.

"Astrid, it's good to see you." I smiled at her.

"It's a pleasure to photograph you again." She smiled.

"It's great to work with you again too."

Our conversation was cut short by Daina and a couple other women cramming me into a chair. Makeup was applied on my face by Daina and another lady straightened my hair. They stood me up and helped me unzip my normal clothes so I could put on my dress for the photo shoot.

It was black and sheer in some places. There was lace on some areas and fancily spun ropes on other parts.

I stepped on the white background that dragged all the way to the floor. The men that held the lights weren't there anymore. Instead, the lights were stood up on poles.

"Just take a seat on that stool." Astrid said. "We won't be able to see the stool the way I'm angling the camera."

She began explaining more but I drowned her out.

"Turn your head this way." Astrid would occasionally say.

"Sit up straighter."

"Put your hands on your lap."

I did whatever she asked me to do because I really wanted this photo shoot to go well. It was Vogue after all.

"Alright, I've got everything."

I stood up off the stool and Astrid shook my hand.

"It was nice to work with you again." She smiled.

"Nice to work with you too." I smiled back.

I changed back into my normal clothes and then said goodbye to Daina.

"Martin will call you and tell you how those pictures turn out!" She said.

A cover for Vogue seemed like the biggest deal at the time. It was my whole world. But so was he.
~
Ooh, what was that message at the end supposed to mean? You'll find out one day haha. I think I've cleared up my writers block! I'll be updating this more now, so keep reading!