My Fair Lady

Chapter 1 - 1964

The morning of 7th February couldn't have arrived fast enough.

The entire country seemed to be buzzing with oncoming frenzy. The news on the radio had related tales of teenagers, mostly girls, skipping school for the day & furious teachers berating them for sacrificing education in the name of a "stupid rock & roll band". The monochromatic screens bestowed in few choice houses displayed The Huntley-Brinkley Report of the four British lads, thwacking away on their respective instruments & seemingly oblivious to the powerful aura they exhibited.

Eliza Roberts however did not have time to spend on the frivolous media banter that fateful day.

Despite setting an alarm for seven am, she only awoke at nine and was shocked at seeing the time. She & her Leciaflex 35 mm camera had to report to Plaza hotel early afternoon to capture the inaugural visit of the British band who had swept the world off its feet. This didn't stop her from taking a long soak in her small tub, letting the hot water soak her aching limbs. After spending the entirety of last night on all fours, clicking pictures of an artist who insisted his pieces be clicked at strange angles, she was sore & the refreshing warmth of the tub gave her some relief.

Once that was done, she made quick work of her chosen outfit, settling on black slim slacks & a white long sleeved blouse. Michael had insisted they dressed their best today for they had to look pleasant enough to appeal to their foreign guests. She tied her wavy auburn hair into a loose ponytail, allowing some strands to frame her face. Then she applied a bit of makeup, nothing heavy, just some eyeliner & gloss. She was naturally gifted with long lashes & hence didn't feel the need for mascara. Analyzing herself one last time in front of the full view mirror, she took a deep breath to calm her nerves & then walked out to the kitchen to make breakfast.

It would be over soon. Just click a couple of pictures & then leave the conference before she could throw up. Easy as ABC. She was no journalist to shoot questions at them & be in their line of sight for longer than a minute. Her job was easy. Take good pictures & quietly back away from the room.

By the time she found herself locking the front door of her flat, it was already twenty past ten & she would have to hurry to reach the hotel in time. She jogged down the stairs of her apartment, tucking the strap of her camera case across her shoulder and shoving her hands into her coat pocket where her car keys jingled merrily. Her nerves swayed her balance albeit & she thanked god for having a light breakfast. There was no way she wasn't going to have make a detour to the toilets there.

She chastised herself for becoming so uneasy. It wasn't the first time she was assigned to click a bunch of celebrities & she had never been so overcome with nerves before. "Not like it's Elvis, right?", she muttered under her breath.

Deep down, she knew the reason.

The images of summers spent lingering around her best friend flashed back to her mind, years of stolen glances, shy smiles & finally the unsaid goodbye. She didn't think he'd remember her, or even glance at for that matter. She had only been his girlfriend's best friend & he had remained ever faithful to her. That didn't rule out the fact that she had gotten close to him, by way of their similar personalities & sometimes playful conversations. She never saw it leading up to that one night. God no, she couldn't, wouldn't think about it now. If she had to brave up today, then no wistful thoughts could enter her mind & no expectations especially. She'd do her job & leave the room as soon she was done. That thought brought her little relief on her long ride to the hotel.

Fingers crossed, Eliza, fingers crossed.

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