Mila Wilson is quiet, anxious and a little bit of a mess. Panic attacks have ruled her life for as long as she can remember - but starting college is her chance to take control. Love? Not something she believes she's built for.
Then she meets Jace E...
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"Mike, how are you?" Jace asks, when we enter the familiar tattoo shop only a few days later.
"Good. How's that new tattoo of yours healing?" Mike genuinely wants to know.
"Good," Jace answers, shaking his hand.
"Mila, back for more I see?" Mike smirks at me.
"Of course. Thank you for making time so quickly," I say genuinely. He pulls me into a gentle little hug.
"For you two? Always. What have you decided on today?" he asks me, pulling out a sketch book behind the counter.
"I was thinking of a minimalist tattoo of a pine tree, fine line," I explain to Mike. He already starts doodling away and shows me the result seconds after. I stare at it and my mouth falls open. "Are you kidding me? That's just how I imagined it. The size is perfect," I say, surprised.
Mike starts to chuckle at me. "I've been doing this job for a very long time, sweetie," he says and starts to perfect his drawing.
"Have you decided the spot yet?" Jace chirps in from beside me.
I remember Jace telling me that right above my ankle is going to hurt like hell, but sadly that's the spot I prefer.
"You think I'll handle the ankle?" I say, looking up towards him innocently.
Jace chuckles at me. "Of course you will. But don't say I didn't warn you," he says, taking my hand to draw little circles on my skin.
His answer isn't making me feel too confident, but what's the reason of getting a tattoo if it's not in the spot you prefer? I take a big breath.
"Alright, I'll do right above my ankle," I say, trying to give myself some confidence.
"Sure thing. Have a seat then, I'll be right there sweetie," he says and once again disappears in the back to grab everything he needs.
My heart starts to race, as I sit down. I try not to think of last time where I had a panic attack in this place.
"You okay?" Jace asks me, sitting down on a chair beside me.
I nod my head at him. "I think so."
Jace grabs my hand once again and chuckles at my uneasiness. "You'll be fine, I promise."
Mike arrives shortly after, and we discuss the exact spot of the tattoo. Quickly finding it, Mike is ready to pinch me with the needle. "Ready, Mila?" he asks one last time.
I close my eyes and hold onto Jace's hand tightly. "Ready," I say, earning myself another quick laugh from both Mike and Jace.
As the needle hits my skin I can't help but let "Fuck," out. "You weren't kidding," I say, directed towards Jace.
"I'll be as quick as I can," Mike says from under his mask that he's wearing for hygiene reasons.
