main blog

“You’re just trying to teach me all that you know, yeah?” Caroline pointed out with a laugh. “I really appreciate it though. Maybe one of those late nights that you find yourself wandering we can work on a bit of something. Sleep hasn’t come easy lately…uh, so I’m sure I’ll be right there with you.” She explained, waving off her small confession. It wasn’t that big of a deal that she had been staying up late, but her reasons for being up weren’t something that she’d discuss easily or if at all. “Haleigh is a talented woman.” Caro agreed with a fond smile. “That sounds interesting, Eli! Honestly, all of that sounds like a life worth living. The world is your oyster!”

Haleigh wiped her eyes and laughed at her self for crying. What Elijah said had caught her off guard. She listened as he spoke, her heart swelling with joy and relief. No one had really told her they thought she would be a good mum. Not when she needed to hear it. Haleigh was having so many doubts these last few days, with more than just her abilities as a mum. She was the type to always offer words of encouragement but it seemed that she rarely got any in return. “Thank you..” she said softly, “That means a lot..” She moved from her chair and hugged the boy. She let the moment linger for a few seconds before regaining her composure. “You can’t let the other interns I’m soft, okay?” she said with a smile, pointing a finger at Elijah, “They need to fear me.”

“I don’t believe for one second.” Haleigh said, a teasing tone to her voice, despite the fact that she wrapped her pinky around his. She eyed him carefully and turned to some of the papers on her desk. “You’re the best, ‘Lijah.” she hummed. As he spoke, Haleigh felt tears in her eyes. “Do you mean that?” she said, motioning for him to sit back down. He could look at the cameras later. “That’s the first time I’ve heard that…” she whispered.

Caroline was blown away by all of the things that went on around her that she had never even taken note of. “Wow, all of that? Have I been living under a rock or something? I’ve never even noticed how you lot handle everything like that.” She shook her head at her own blind-eyes, curls bouncing lightly as she did so. “Photography is interesting, but I only know enough about it to get by with pictures for my blog.” She explained with a chuckle. “Is this the sort of thing you’re wanting to do once you have your degree?” Caro asked, knowing that his career could take him many different ways as Haleigh’s had in the past.

Haleigh rolled her eyes and smiled, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” she said as she sat in her desk chair. She eyed him curiously when she noticed how hyper he was, “How many energy drinks have you had today, kid?” she asked with a laugh. Haleigh was harder on Elijah than the others because she was more than confident in his abilities. She gave him more responsibility because he could handle it. “I know. The stage crew doesn’t know much about the cameras up there but I just want to be sure and I don’t think I can make it up the stairs.” she shrugged. “If that’s their goal, message received. Loud and clear.” she laughed, giving a warm smile.

Caroline chuckled at his sleep comment, remembering her late nights in college with a mix of regret and nostalgia. “You’re quite welcome, love.” She replied with a smile before leaning closer to look at the screen on his camera as he flickered through a few photos he had taken. She smiled brightly as a picture of Liam lounging about on the stage popped up, shaking her head at how his mind was obviously wandering during that rehearsal. “Those are very good, Eli!” She complimented. “I don’t know the specifics of photography but I enjoy looking at them so they can’t be terrible.” Caroline reasoned with a laugh. “Video stuff? Like a show compilation or something?” She asked, genuinely interested in what they were up to. She hadn’t really thought much about the photographers side of the shows apart from how her designs would look through their lenses.

“Both.” Haleigh said simply, “Well, you didn’t hear this from me but..the others aren’t that great.” She laughed and returned his nudge. “After you finish your math, I need you to go test the video cameras in the balcony. I think one of the crew members said it was making a weird beeping sound or something.” Haleigh said as she placed a hand on her swollen belly and grumbled. “I feel like I’m pregnant with a rabbit. The kid never stops kicking..” she grumbled.

Caroline was a bit surprised by the intensity he had when defending her work, but she was coming to realize that she wasn’t going to be able to peg the young man in one meeting as she did with so many. He was showing facets of himself that seemed to be only a scratch on the surface of who he was. She was glad that he seemed to be at terms with his mother’s passing and gave his hand a gentle squeeze before withdrawing it, replacing it in her lap. “It’s awesome that you’re doing everything that you are as well, Eli! Being a student and juggling both an internship and maintaining a talent within a hobby isn’t easy. I’ve been there.” Caroline pointed out. “I was dead on my feet near constantly.” She admitted. “But what’s your latest intern-y assignment?” She asked, gesturing to the camera hanging from his neck.

“It is a rare thing. I count my lucky stars everyday.” Caroline admitted with a smile. She was beginning to catch on a bit as to how the young man next to her worked. Though he came across simply hyper and young at first greeting, when you actually got to talking to him he almost seemed a bit wise beyond his years. “Some people say that I had it handed to me since my mother worked for Syco when I first got my job, but I worked damn hard for it. You would think that people would have realized that now that the lads have switched labels but kept me along.” She shook her head then. For the most part Caroline didn’t mind the papz crazy speculation, but when it came to her work she had to admit that it would sometimes get under her skin. “Oh! My blog is about just about everything! My life, fashion, tips on makeup and hair, walkthroughs of my morning routine, and even sometimes recipes when I feel like baking. It’s a nice outlet for my mind. Keeps me company when things get too quiet.” Caro shared, a bit surprised at how much she was saying about herself to this practical stranger but shrugged it off. She enjoyed Elijah’s company. He had a good vibe to him that put her at ease. Her heart went out to the man when she watched his smile fall from his lips, making him look 5 years older. Her hand flew to her chest once she realized her misstep, genuine sadness overtaking her as she then reached a hand out to rest softly over one of his own. “I’m so sorry, Eli.” She said gently. “It sounds like she was. Mums have that way about them, but every mum is unique. Both of mine are most definitely unique.” Caroline agreed, offering the bit of comfort that she could through her touch and soft-spoken words.

“You’re the first intern I haven’t wanted to strangle, honestly.” Haleigh told him with a laugh. “I don’t know why they make you learn math but they do. It’s pointless. The only math I do in my career is the numbers on the dials of my camera.”

“If only it was that easy, man. I would be living a less-painful life.”

“And he’s only one and a half so you can’t compete with him.”

“I have a feeling that you would definitely think so.” Caroline observed, noticing his seemingly limitless energy though she couldn’t help but notice the light shadows beneath his eyes. “I’ve been working with them for what’s edging on 6 years now.” She paused then having thrown herself off a bit. “Wow, I didn’t even realize. I’ve loved every moment of it. Time flies.” Caro shook her head before getting back into the conversation and out of her own mind once more. “That I can relate with.” She told him, nodding a bit. “I design because it’s the air in my lungs, but I adore running my blog on the side.” Her smile lost a bit of its shine at his words of wisdom as she took in what he was saying, it became softer somehow. “You’re mother is a very bright woman.” Caroline informed him.