Idols and Anchors [Austin Carlile]

Chapter 1 - San Diego

Here's the first chapter for you guys. I decided to give you all more because I left you with just the introduction. Thank you for reading and I appreciate any comments or some type of feedback to see if you guys actually like the story. Thank you for reading <3

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's been almost two years since I stepped foot on that beach. I never wanted to come back to the spot where my heart was broken.

After several months I decided staying in the same place wont make the memories go away. I told my father it was time for me to move out and get a place of my own. He was fine with my decision because he knew I was leaving sooner or later.

"How are you sweetheart? Is everything okay?" My dad always worried. He never let a week go by without calling me. He always asked the same questions every week but I was glad he wanted to know. He was always such a kind man, even to the people that were very rude to him.

"Everything is good dad. The shop is coming along great and I already have appointments to do tattoos on people. They all saw my portfolio and they loved what I've created." I had opened my own tattoo shop in the plaza right next to the beach. I really just loved the smell of the ocean air and it helped me be cheery to my customers.

After a few more minutes talking to my father, I had to unfortunately go to open the shop. I had an appointment at 10:30 and it was now already 10. I unlocked the door and started to set up. It wouldn't be much longer until my first customer walks into that door.

I must have been distracted because when I realized where I was, I had about 5 different people waiting in the lounge area. I ran to the desk and looked at the first appointment. "uh, Chris? Are you ready?" I saw a few people get up as my other coworkers called them over to work on them. The man, who I'm assuming was Chris walked over to me.

"I'm ready." I chuckled. He had spiked up black hair and brown eyes. He had a Memphis May Fire shirt on over his tan skin. I picked up his design from my folder and looked at it once more. I fixed it up about two days ago and I hope he likes what I've done. He had called me over the phone about a week ago to discuss his tattoo. I've never actually met him in person.

"Well, when we talked over the phone I tried to do exactly what you said. I worked hours on this and I really hope you like it." I handed him the tracing paper and he just stared at it. I was actually getting worried because he literally stood there and didn't say a word. He finally looked back up at me.

I saw the tears build in his eyes as he tried to blink them away. "Hailey this is perfect. Thank you so much." I haven't even started to put the artwork on his body and he's already thanking me. It's moments like this where I love my job.

I took him to my parlor and sat him down. He took off his shirt as I got the paints ready. I started the outline on his right shoulder and saw him move slightly from the pain. "So , what does the wine bottle and roses represent?" I asked him as I continued to outline.

I noticed him smiling out the corner of my eye. "It was for my grandma. She loved to drink wine." He chuckled slightly. "Her favorite flowers were roses too." He seemed to love talking about her. He was a pretty cool kid.

As the couple hours went on, I learned a lot about this kid. I let him talk the whole time as a distraction from the pain. Finally, I was finished with the piece. He got up a took a look in the mirror. "Hailey, dude, this is awesome. I love it so much." He pulled me into a gentle hug and I laughed.

"Have you ever thought about tattooing for a band? Like going on tour with them?" I never thought about it really. It would be actually kind of awesome. Imagine being on tour with some pretty rad band and doing a tattoo on them. They could help me in my business and make me big. That would be great.

"Come with me. I could probably help you out. We're going to go meet a few of my friends." He gave me his number to call him after I got out of work. I wonder who I was going to meet. I really hope they're nice people. I really hope things are finally going to start going my way.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry for the short chapter, I just wanted to give you more than the introduction.

I hope you enjoy and please feel free to comment or vote.

Thank you so much for reading.