What Are the Odds?

3.

; Juliet ;

The panic resumes for the next fifteen minutes, and with every second that passes, I swear I can feel sweat drop. Everyone hustles to get the lights, backdrops and props set up on time. The food service scrambles to make the snacks presentable to my left and to my right are the electricians who attempt to fix the heater and speakers in the short time frame. While this goes on, I fumble to plug my camera to the computer. To say I'm nervous is an understatement. Though I am confident, this would be my first official client. My client. These photos would be shot by me and seen by all of New York and wherever else they plan to use it. I can't screw this up.

Nina notices my struggle and takes the camera from my hands, connecting the cord with ease. She gives me a reassuring smile just in time for Ellis to walk through the door, announcing our guests. Look up, I tell myself, but my nerves eat away at me. My eyes are glued to the floor until Nina nudges me, forcing to see who has walked in. Yet, in that first attempt, I'm blocked by a squealing intern. She jumps up and down unprofessionally, her fifty-dollar boob job that she's so proud of bouncing around. It's a pity. Such a pretty face for such a petty personality.

From what I can tell, moving through the room are five bodies. One being Ellis and from what I suppose from the intern's reaction, four guys. The room goes silent, almost everyone being afraid to breathe a single word as our boss struts the short path to the backdrop. Okay, Juliet. It's go time. Be brave. Make your move. I take a deep breath and walk toward Ellis and my clients. You could hear the sound of my footsteps, even after changing into my comfiest sneakers. My back was straight so I could stand taller; thinking that this would help with my confidence issue. Whispers of my peers reach my ears– they were questioning how a junior photographer could land this job.

Trust me, I don't know either.

As I approach the group, I see the four boys playing with the props we've set up. I have yet to see how they look as their backs face me whilst tossing one of many balloons in the air. Mrs. Carter waves me over with a smile, congratulating me on getting the set ready on time and wishing me luck. The woman then proceeds to grab me by the elbow and pulls me so close I can almost feel her mouth touching my ear. "This is some new punk rock group or something, very high profile. Make sure they're happy, okay? You've got this." Whispers to me, before stepping away and calling the attention of the band.

"Claire," She begins, breathing in sharply, "meet 5 Seconds of Summer. Boys, this is Claire, your photographer for today." The boys turn their heads so my eyes meet theirs.

The first one has bright blue eyes and long, dirty blonde locks and semi-tanned skin– he seems like the leader of the group, practically dripping with confidence. The second is the opposite. He has platinum blonde hair and pasty skin– he looks like a slacker, but also a balance of hardworking. Maybe there's more to him than what meets the eye? The third looked Asian, but clearly wasn't. He had brown hair, gorgeous brown eyes and tanned, toned skin. He was hot, and I had no shame staring at him a little longer than I should've. He smirks at this, and I could feel my cheeks heating up.

"Juliet?" The voice of the fourth guy catches my attention. He sends me a huge smile and a small nod, "Nice to see you again." Like the third member, he winks. Yet instead of blushing, I gasp softly. Followed by a sad excuse for a giggle.

"Ashton! I knew you looked familiar!" He makes his way over to me and takes me by surprise when he leans in for a hug. "You're in a band? That's cool."

"And you're a photographer for a big shot company, that's quite impressive as well." We share a shy laugh, cut off by Ellis' voice; "You two know each other?"

"Not really," Ashton responds cheerfully "we actually just met– yesterday, in the lift! She just moved into my building."

"Well in that case," The really hot Asian guy interrupts, "my name is Calum, Calum Hood. And I believe you'll be seeing more of me very soon." He winks yet again, grabbing my hand and kissing the top of it. Okay, my face is definitely on fire.