I walked into the shop and held the door open for the boys. They followed me in and I looked in alarm at Jaime, Mike and Tony. They urged me forward and Mike pushed me over to the waiting area. “I’m going to die,” I said simply.
“You won’t,” Jaime laughed.
“Unless you’re allergic to the ink,” Tony thought.
“Does it hurt?” I rushed.
“No,” Jaime reassured me.
“Don’t lie to her. Of course it hurts, why do you think I have none,” Vic said. “And you’re having it on your hip, that’s a bone,”
“Well done for learning the bones of the body,” Mike said dryly. “They’re going to call you through soon,”
“Okay,” I breathed.
“Kayleigh? Are you ready?” a woman asked. I nodded reluctantly. Mike went to stand up with me but I pushed him down.
“Kay'?” Mike asked.
“Jaime, come with me?” I begged.
“I don’t know,” he muttered. “I’m not good with pain,”
“She’s the one getting tattooed,” Tony reminded him.
“Okay, comforting people,” Jaime explained.
“Please," I tried.
“Just go,” Vic rolled his eyes.
“Fine,” Jaime shrugged.
“I’ll see you later,” I told Mike. He didn’t look at me, just nodded stiffly.
“Come on,” Jaime urged.
“What’s wrong with Mike?” I asked as we followed the woman.
“Nothing, he’s fine,” he shrugged. We walked into a small room. It had a tattoo bed in the centre with shelves and a trolley with equipment lining the walls.
“Do you want to sit down?” the woman asked. I nodded and took a seat. Jaime pulled up a chair near me and the woman did the same. “I’m Charlie. I’ll be doing you today. You haven’t changed your mind about the place and design. Have you?”
“No, all the same,” I replied.
“Great, if you pull your pants down and roll a little,”
“Sure,” I nodded. “Don’t freak out,” I told Jaime.
“Okay, not freaking out,” he grinned. I pulled my jeans down and half pulled my underwear down. Jaime looked at my hip and groin, then back up to my face. I raised my eyebrows and Jaime looked away. “I didn’t,” he defended.
“Don’t go and brag that you’ve seen my . . . area,” I muttered.
“Mouth shut,” he promised.
“Ready?” Charlie asked.
“Yeah,” I nodded. I took Jaime’s hand and squeezed as the tattoo gun made contact with my skin. I swore under my breath and Jaime gasped a little. I bit down onto my lip and watched as Charlie wiped my hip. As Charlie worked I started to get used to the cutting pain and the stinging. I smiled and Jaime and he grinned back.
“Hey, can I ask you something?” Jaime asked.
“Go on,” I urged.
“Why didn’t you want Mike here with you?”
“Oh,” I muttered. “You’re probably confused,”
“I’m wondering,”
“Mike and I have been getting on really well. I just didn’t want him seeing my body, you know? It would wreck everything,” I explained carefully.
“I get it,” he nodded.
“Don’t tell anyone, please,”
“Our secret,” he agreed.
“Do you want to take a look?” Charlie asked. I got up, wincing from the soreness. But I walked over to the mirror. I saw the Collide With The Sky girl with Ryan’s name resting on her skirt.
“I love it,” I breathed. “Thanks,”
“Great. You ready to pay?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. Before we walked out Charlie wrapped my hip in cling film. Then we went to the till. I paid and Jaime stood with me.
“Done?!” Vic called.
“Yeah,” I grinned. I looked at Jaime for a moment. “Can I have a hug?” I asked.
“Of course,” he laughed and wrapped his arms around me. I hugged him and he squeezed me. But as I pulled away I saw Mike watching me carefully.

Notes

I hope you liked this! Please let me know what you think and I'll update soon! :)