Chapter Three

I recognized Mikey when he stepped out.

“Hey.” He jumped in the same chair Gerard was in.

“Hola.” I replied with a smile.

“I remember you.” He pointed and smiled so sweet and cute.

“Yeah?” I connected a few more wires.

“You haven’t changed a bit.” He laughed.

“You have.” I nodded and sat down.

“Well I meant clothing choice for you.” He pointed at my purple pants with a grin.

“Hey, purple is the new black.” I winked and sighed.

“Anything up?”

“Gerard.” I looked down at my black nails.

“Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“I didn’t recognize you guys at first because I’m going blind.” I looked up into his eyes when he looked at me. He looked so surprised.

“Wow.”

“Yeah. Color blind in one and half blind in the other…oh yeah, but don’t tell him okay?”

“Sure thing.”

“You have to promise, Michael.”

“I promise.” The rest of the guys walked in; they were all laughing and cutting up. I missed that.

“Alright, loves, now that’s out of the way we can start this up, right?” I realized what I said and giggled. Gerard and Frank seemed to know why, but the others just looked at me. I swished my hand at them and told them to pose however they wished. It was a good thing that the camera I had was so large or they would have seen me smiling on the other side. I giggled with every click as they swapped around and I suggested they do their own thing.

“Hold up a sec.” my phone started vibrating in my back pocket so I picked it out.

“Ello, this is Ava Redde.” I automatically shoved the phone between my cheek and shoulder; Gerard kept looking at me.

“Hello, Ava.” The voice was deep and husky; American.

“May I ask who is calling?” I looked up and saw Gerard’s questioning face. I swished my hand at him and made a face.

“Yes, my name is Peter.”

“Erm, Peter I’m afraid you’ve got the wrong number.” I looked at my phone before hanging up.

“Sick and tired of that.” I mumbled. “Sorry, wrong number. Okay, um Ray we’ll start with you on the single shots.” Ray fumbled to the middle. Before I took another picture I checked out how they were looking on my computer.

“ew.” I muttered.

“What? Awe, mikey you broke the camera.” Gerard came over to my side and looked at the screen, snickering.

“Course not, something wrong with the camera.” I muttered to myself while I tried to find out what was wrong with the lenses. Maybe the light settings weren’t right. Ugh. I sighed and sat down with it. Gerard hovered over my shoulder; his breath was hot in my ear and it tickled my neck. I stifled a little giggle.

“Something funny?” he asked. I could hear the amusement in his voice.

“No, you’re tickling my neck.” I giggled again and winked at him. He gave me a gorgeous grin and backed up a bit.

“What’s wrong with it?” Frank walked over with his hands stuffed in his front pockets.

“Ah, it’s no big deal. I can fix it up in Photoshop. C’mon Ray and then Frank.”

  I finished with all four except Gerard. The other guys went out for food while I finished up.

“So.” Click. “How’re things going for you?” click. I gave him the okay-to-move-look while I fixed the pictures and messed with the lighting again.

“Well, I’ve been engaged once and got outta that. Um…” he looked around uncomfortably.

“The band seems to be going really well. You guys look good together.” I paused, afraid to ask. “Is your hair, um, grey or white?” I couldn’t tell. He touched his hair and laughed.

“Oh I bleached it and cut it. You like it?”

“Of course I do.”

“Do they pay you to say that?”

“Course not.” I sighed again. “Do you mind if I go out for a smoke?”

“Not at all. Let’s go.”