PICTURE PERFECT

PICTURE PERFECT?

CHAPTER 1 – JUSTIN WOLFE

I gathered my things together and took a quick glance over my shoulder. Yes, dark rooms weren't actually completely in darkness but it became a habit to always check for something behind me that wasn't even there. I also have Justin Wolfe to thank for that, a 20 year old guy who finds it funny to sneak up behind me most of the time. Sometimes he'll follow me down here just so he can do that but takes advantage of the fact that I won't get into a stress with him. That's what 5 years of friendship does to you. You become soft. However it is thanks to him that we both got this photography job and I do thank him for a lot of things that have happened in my life. Each memory we both store like a photo placed into a leather album that when you look back through it, each picture makes you smile.

I opened the door with my left hand whilst my other arm was occupied with folders and my most recent portfolio for our manager. I stepped through the door way and turned round slightly to grab the handle to pull it back.

"Careful now." His voice whispered into my ear. I jumped and jerked awkwardly like a small bolt of electricity had been sent through my body. The folders slid to one side but for once I managed to keep them off the floor.

"Didn't work this time Justin." I said smiling to myself. I turned round to look at him but he wasn't there.

"Don't be so sure." He said grabbing the sides of my waist and giving me a small squeeze. My weak spot. The folders hurtled to the floor within a second and I could hear the muffles of laughs behind me. I stood there for a second and then bent down and collected the folders back into a small pile and lifting them to rest against my arm once again. I rose and Justin was now in front of me.

"You do know I only joke about yeah?" he asked looking guilty.

"It's like a daily routine, I'm used to it." I said walking past him and blowing into his ear as I went. He may know my weak spot but I also know his as well. I stepped quietly along the corridor but Justin's shoes hit the floor heavily behind me still keeping the same pace.

"You know it wouldn't surprise me if the others started to get the idea that you and me got up to things when we come down here." I said beginning to walk up the stairs.

"If they are starting to get that idea then you'll probably have others sneaking down here when you come down, probably, hoping to get a snapshot of us in each other's arms." Justin said with a smirk and then carried on up the stairs ahead of me, taking two steps at a time. I smiled to myself and then continued up.

They say there is a first time for everything. Well that was happening now. Our manager has called me to his office and it was normally bad news if you got called their on your own. I've only ever been called here when we've all had to come for a staff meeting and that was all. Yes Justin and I were two of the youngest employees but believe it or not, on Justin's account this is, we were actually two of the most mature. I knocked the door twice and slowly opened it shutting it behind me.

"You wanted to see me sir." I said. I always felt like I was back in school when I addressed some one as sir. He looked up and gave me a small smile.

"Yes please have a seat Ellie." He said using his hand to gesture to one of the chairs. I sat down and waited for him to continue but he carried on writing something down.

"Sorry I just need to finish writing out this form." He said without looking at me. Before I could even reply the pen hit the desk and he was now looking at me resting his chin on his linked hands.

"Don't look so nervous it's something good that I'm going to talk to you about." Mr King said.

"Well that has relieved me a bit I do have to say." I replied with a nervous laugh.

"You must feel worried, this is how you were when I interviewed you last year for the job, but anyway, I've called you to my office to offer you a job. Well I've been asked to offer one of my employees a job and I feel that you deserve this opportunity." He said.

"Oh, right." Was all I managed to say.

"I'm sure you've heard of this band The Element is it? Their manager called me and wants some one to go on tour with them in a few weeks and to basically do all the photography and graphics work behind it all. He only gave me a brief explanation but I have his number and think you should give him a call. Only if you want the job that is?" he asked me. I stared at him. I'm not really one of those people who get opportunities like this in life so when then did happen they came to me as a shock.

"Mr King I, I would definitely like to take this opportunity." I said coming back into reality.

"Good but their manager also wants you to have some one with you because it is a lot of work to take on your own but I will leave that choice to you." He said. I nodded and stood back up the small piece of card with the number on it burning in my head. Once out of his office the excitement burst out of me and I actually jumped up and down. If anyone saw me they would have probably thought that I looked like an idiot.

"How would you like the opportunity," I said sitting down on the sofa next to Justin in the staff room. He looked up at me from reading one of his books. A little trademark about him really. "To go to London for a bit and to travel round the country with that band The Element?" I asked resting my chin on his shoulder.

"Are you serious?" he asked placing the book down and turning to face me. To get him to stop reading a book half way through was something, trust me.

"Yeah." I replied.

"I know I joke with you a lot of the time but are you really being serious?" he asked again.

"Justin I wouldn't joke about this type of thing I'm being completely serious and I want to do this job with you. We have to go up to London in 2 weeks but you can take time to think about this you know."

"Ellie my dear, you've just offered for me to do a job and go on a trip with you round the country and with a famous band, of course I'm going to want to do this." He said wrapping his arms around me.

"So that's definitely a yes then?"

"Nah I was joking." He said titling his head to one side, his way of showing he was being sarcastic. I smiled and quickly got up from the sofa pulling my mobile out from my back pocket.

"Now what are you doing?" Justin asked now actually closing his book!

"Calling the band's manager to say that we'll do the job and to find out some more information about it all." I replied dialling the number in and then holding the phone to my ear. It rang a couple of times and for a moment I thought it would just cut into answer phone but suddenly a male voiced answered.

"Hello." He said.

"Err hi my manager Mr King has offered me a job to work with you in 2 weeks time with the band The Element so that's what I'm calling about really." I replied.

"Oh yes I remember. I believe that you are accepting the offer then?" he asked.

"Yes and I also believe I can have some one to help along side myself?"

"Of course so I'm assuming that you have chosen because if not then I can find some one for you." He said. In all honesty I was expecting this guy to sound frustrated and stressed out but instead he sounded really calm and relaxed, and for a guy in his job, I guess it was quite strange.

"No I have chosen, his name is Justin Wolfe. He also works for Mr King." I replied.

"Excellent well I'm down near where you work so shall all three of us meet up and make the final arrangements for when you come up to London?" he asked.

"Yeah sure."

"Right well if at say half 12 tomorrow we meet at this coffee shop on West Road and if you could both bring some folders of your work just so I can get an idea."

"That should be fine so we'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Sounds great."

"Yeah. Thank you bye." I said and then hung up turning back round to Justin who had been sat on the edge of the sofa listening to my end of the phone call. Seeing him like that just reminded me of a little kid getting all excited because they were going to get a chocolate bar as a treat.

"So the arrangements for tomorrow are?" he said as if waiting for me to have already said them.

"Half 12 at the coffee shop on West Road with some folder work from both of us." I replied.

"Right, come on then." He said jumping up, not forgetting to grab his book, and grasping my hand. Justin pulled me out of the staff room and back down to the offices.

"What are you doing?" I said between laughs.

"Our folders need putting together." He replied.