C-Flat to C-Sharp (PR Girls & Instalove 3)

Corina: I’m sorry, I don’t know much about musician life yet, but you are awake, right?

Chuckling to myself, I checked the time. Dammit – nine-forty-five.

Me: Yes – I’m up. I’ll be at your office by 11.

Corina: Great. Bring a few different outfits. Whatever you would wear on stage, then something a bit dressier.

Me: Got it. Can’t wait to see you.

I put the coffee on, and then raced to the building’s basement gym to do the world’s fastest workout in about fifteen minutes. Coffee, shower, clothes, I was out the door with my head still spinning.

When I arrived at her office, Corina was in a small boardroom that had been turned into a temporary photo studio. The table and chairs had all been shoved to one end, as a large white backdrop hung from one wall, surrounded by huge box lights.

“There you are,” Corina said, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me inside. “Perfect timing. We just finished up with the other shoot.”

She introduced me to Kyle the photographer, then tossed my bag aside, and stood me in front of the backdrop.

“Let’s take a few quickly before you can even think,” she said.

Stand

ing awkwardly in front of the intense lights, I had no idea what to do with my hands, or how stiff or loose my posture should be.

“Do you have a stylist or a coach for this one?” Kyle asked Corina.

“No. There’s no time and no budget,” she replied.

“Then it’s all you, girl,” Kyle shrugged, adjusting some setting on his enormous camera. “We only have twenty minutes, so I’ll need to get a winning shot fast.”

It was hard not to laugh at the way they were speaking about me as if I couldn’t hear them.

Corina came over and adjusted the shoulders of my long-sleeved t-shirt.

“I was up late last night studying the photos of the most popular indie bands,” she said. “We need something simple and clean for your main shots, then natural, dirtier photos with the band at rehearsal for the rest of the website.”

Kyle was busy angling a lighting box, so I leaned down to whisper to Corina, “I love how dedicated you are. I’ll do anything you want.”

That soft blush made my heart pound. My fingers twitched, wanting to reach for her.

It was adorable that even though she was slightly timid, she was completely dedicated to getting the job done. Her hands trembled a bit, but she shoved me gently by the shoulder, moving me into position.

We developed a rhythm together. She would move me into a pose then step away while Kyle snapped. Then she’d dart back to arrange my hair, or lower my hand. Touch, snap. Touch, snap.

After around five minutes, Kyle announced, “We’ve got some keepers. New outfit? Leave those jeans on though – they’re totally working for you.”

I rummaged in my bag, showing Corina what I’d brought. She analyzed everything as if it was a science project.

“This green is too bright,” she said, tossing aside a t-shirt.

“You said to bring something dressy...” I said, unrolling a gray blazer.

She held it up. “That’s perfect. But only if you have a black button down shirt.”

“Not with me. The green t-shirt won’t work?”

Corina shook her head. “Too bright against the white backdrop, and we only have a few minutes.”

“Shirtless,” Kyle said, giving Corina a pointed look. “He’s a rocker, honey. A little sex appeal never hurt.”