"I am so not looking forward to today," Lucky said to Jordan as she ran her fingers through her long hair, trying to work out some knots.

"The photo shoot? You'll be fine. I was thinking about going shopping while you're there."

"Ugh, really? I want you with me. Did you see that Kat Krave girl? I'm going to look like a troll next to her."

"Please, like you could ever look bad. Besides, she's all plastic. Don't think about it so much."

After they left the recording studio, she decided some retail therapy would help her mood. She found a cute silk white peasant top with navy embroidery and a pair of navy and white striped jeans she couldn't say no to. The look was very 60s, and she loved it. She added a pair of chunky sandals to finish the look.

Lucky enjoyed her newfound freedom. She didn't resent how she grew up. She understood why her parents protected her so much and appreciated it because otherwise she wouldn't have pushed herself into music. But she was twenty-one and didn't have any of the experiences other people her age had, and that bothered her.

While her parents preferred her to stay home, they indulged her musical interests. Ever since she was a child, she enjoyed music and quickly began making up her own songs. Her parents sent her to lessons first for the piano, later the guitar, and lastly bass because she felt like she wanted a new challenge.

By the time she was accepted into Berklee, she had won several songwriting awards and had been featured in a couple of local newspaper articles. She couldn't remember when she didn't want to be a musician. She knew she was fortunate to have her dream come true, but she worked really hard for it.

"You're right, Jordan. I am getting too into my head. Screw them if they think I'm fat or big. I know what I look like. I'll put up with this photo shoot and whatever else they want. In the end, I know it's going to be about my music." She sighed softly. "Doesn't change the fact that I'm nervous as hell though."

"Okay, okay, relax. I'll tag along."

The photo shoot was in an old warehouse in Santa Monica. The drab grey exterior contrasted with the stark white interior. The faint smell of bleach filled the air of the spacious open area. Large rectangular windows let the sun stream in rays onto the shiny tile floor.

Ian Taylor, a renowned rock 'n' roll photographer, converted the first floor into a studio with lighting and sets. The saltwater smell of the nearby ocean drifted in through the windows, masking the bleach and making the room feel less clinical. The large space echoed with their footsteps as they entered the building.

"Lucky! Back here!" Richard Black called from a corner at the back of the large studio.

As they approached, Lucky noticed a couple of guys talking to each other. They were in their early twenties like her, and each wore a plain black t-shirt with their jeans. She wondered if that was planned or coincidence.

"Did you put on more weight? I really was hoping you'd lose some," Richard said.

Lucky shot him a dirty look then scanned the room looking for Kat, figuring she'd get all her insecurities out of the way as quickly as possible.

"I don't see Kat," she whispered to Jordan. "Think maybe they changed their minds?"

"Even you aren't that lucky."

A loud bang, then the sound of a sliding metal door echoed through the room, making everyone turn and look. Behind a tall, slim older man, Kat came stumbling out of the door, looking disheveled and giggling. Wearing a pair of dark grey slacks, a white pinstriped buttoned shirt, and a devilish grin, Ian made his way over to Richard, Lucky, and Jordan.

"Ahh, you must be Lucky," he said in a crisp British accent that immediately charmed her. "I've been looking forward to this shoot." His tousled salt and pepper hair fell onto his forehead as he put his hand out to greet her.

As she placed her hand in his, he lifted her fingers to his lips and softly kissed them. She felt heat burn her cheeks and understood why Kat acted as foolishly as she did. There was something sensual about Ian many women couldn't resist.

"You're in good hands with Ian. He's photographed some of the best-known artists out there. I'm sure you're familiar with his pictures," Richard said.

"Yes, I will get the best you there is. The world will see not only how lovely you are, but the true artist within. Don't worry about what this man says," he pointed to Richard. "It's my eye, my art, not his."

Lucky thought he was full of bullshit, but she was willing to give him a chance. Kat walked over, still a little flushed, and held her hand out to her.

"I've been dying to meet you, I'm Kat Krave. I play keys and sing backup. I've heard some of your tape and I think we'll sound great together."

"Nice to meet you," said Lucky, surprised with how genuine Kat seemed.

"Lucky, let me introduce you to the rest of your band," Richard said. "This is Dylan Young. He's on bass." A man with shoulder-length light brown hair and a thin but muscular build nodded hello. "Paul Ryder is on drums."

The last of the band, Paul Ryder, stepped forward and smiled. His black hair was buzzed short except for the top, which hung longer and down into his eyes. He looked younger than all of them.

"It's great to be here, Lucky. I think I speak for everyone when I say that," Paul said.

"I'm happy to have you guys. I hope you love playing my music as much as I do."

A flashbulb popped and Ian grinned. "Just ignore me, love. Trust me when I say the more this camera goes off, the more you'll get used to it and the better my photos will be."

Lucky tried to forget the camera, but Ian was everywhere. She and the band continued to talk for a few minutes as Ian took candids. Eventually, they did forget he was around and ignored the flashes. When they appeared the most relaxed, Ian put his camera down and tested the bulbs at the plain white set he created.

He lined the band up with Lucky in the middle, turned towards the side with her foot facing forward, and Kat at one of the ends, then began shooting.

"Ian, maybe we should do one with Kat more centered," Richard suggested.

"Fuck off, Richard, I'm the artist here, not you. The camera loves Lucky, I'm not going to put Rock Star Barbie next to her."

"Hey!" Kat complained.

"Who are you kidding, darling?" Ian said as he continued to take pictures of the band, repositioning them slightly every few minutes.

Kat didn't reply and Lucky felt bad for her. She knew the reason Ian positioned her the way he did was to make her look thinner to the camera. Of course she was grateful he didn't say the words out loud. She was getting used to people picking on her size, she never realized that someone as perfect looking as Kat might get picked on, too.

While Lucky was lost in thought, Ian stepped back and snapped a few more photos then stopped. "Lucky darling, I'd like to take some of just you. After all, this isn't the Lucky Saldano Band, it's just Lucky Saldano," he said.

"Huh? Wha-- just me?"

"Yes. Would you mind changing?"

"Changing? I didn't bring any other clothes," Lucky said.

"Clear the set! Everyone go! I'm done with all of you. I need Lucky to be comfortable." He looked around the room as the band left and spotted Jordan texting in the corner. "You! Pixie Girl! My car is around back. Inside you'll find a shopping bag. Bring it here."

Jordan looked confused and shot Ian a nasty look but still went to the car like he asked. Lucky and Ian were seated talking quietly when Jordan returned.

"I just don't like having my picture taken," Lucky said. "Do you realize the label wanted me to lose weight? Kat was hired because I'm not pretty enough."

Lucky couldn't believe she opened up to Ian this way. He was a complete stranger, yet something about him made her feel at ease with him.

"Richard is an asshole," Ian said. "He only sees dollar signs. Yes, sex sells, Kat's appearance sells, but that's not what you're about. I can see that. You, love, are a rare girl." He grabbed the bag from Jordan and handed it to Lucky. "In here are some things I bought for this shoot. I guessed your size but I know it's right. If there's one thing I know, it's a woman's body. Put those on. I had your label send me your record before I agreed to do this shoot. As soon as I heard it, I got an image of what your album cover will look like. We're going to shoot that now."

Lucky listened to what Ian said and didn't question it. The thought of her album cover hadn't even entered her head. She recorded it just weeks ago, but it still wasn't real to her until Ian mentioned it. She took the bag and headed into the bathroom and changed.

Ian had selected a pair of white jeans with a peach belt and a white, midriff baring long-sleeved top. Lucky had on a peach and brown stone bracelet she pulled over the sleeve since the sleeves were so long. She felt uncomfortable showing her soft stomach and walked back to the set with her arms wrapped around herself.

"Perfect. Just relax," Ian said. "Pixie Girl, bring Lucky the guitar!"

Jordan grabbed an electric guitar that was in the corner next to her and handed it to Ian. He held the guitar upright and handed it to Lucky with the bottom resting on the ground and her holding onto the headstock. Next, he slid her hips to one side and went back to his camera.

"Perfect!" he said as he snapped a few shots, pulled his laptop over to him, and brought up the photo shoot on the screen. "Come here, Lucky. You too, Pixie."

Lucky held onto the guitar like a security blanket and brought it over to Ian and his laptop. As he began scrolling through the photos, she was speechless. In the white outfit, with the way he had her standing, he accentuated the curve of her waist and hips, making her look sexy and not big like she had feared.

"You look amazing, girl!" Jordan exclaimed. "And how good are those shots of just you!"

"See, I was right. Listen to the pixie, Lucky," Ian said.

"Okay, they're great," Lucky said with a sigh. "I just have one complaint. I really don't want to have to look at myself every time I look at my album."

"Ahh. That's a first. Usually everyone wants to see themselves staring back," Ian said.

"It's not about me though, it's about the music," Lucky said. "That's what's important. This isn't some vanity project."

"Yes, yes, the serious artist. I should know better, right?" He quickly cropped the photo, bringing her body closer and showing only the neck of the guitar but cutting it so everything from the shoulders up wasn't visible. "There. Guitar up front and center. What do you think?"

"It's perfect Ian, absolutely perfect. Thank you!"