𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 [english]

1.

It had dawned a couple of hours ago. Sofia had already had breakfast so she was washing everythimg she had used to prepare her food.

She looked happy. Well, she always looked like that. Or at least, she tried to feel good every day.

Her happiness of that particular morning had a specifc reason: she was going to get tattooed.

For some people it could seem kinda silly, but for her meant everything in that moment. Sofia wanted to do many things. She always knew that the vast majority of those things would not materialized, but that didn't depress her; instead, she focused on those things she would can do; one of them was getting tattooed.

She spent several days looking for ideas on the internet, and when she find one she liked, she moved on to the next step, which was to find a reputable studio.

That morning, after washing the dishes she went to the studio she had found. She already had her turn that she had reserved some days before. She was happy and determined. Or so she thought.

Once she was standing in front of the studio's door, the nerves took possession of her body in milliseconds.

I live with a constant threat that I don't know when it will end me, and I'm scared to get a tattoo. I can't believe it, it's ridiculous, she thought.

She tried to calm down and finally entered the place. She looked for the tattoo artist with whom she had the turn. When she was with her, she was informed of a small issue that had happened: the tattoo artist was taking longer than expected with a client. The woman was working on a large design on the back of a man. If Sofia had managed to calm down a bit, seeing the machine drawing on the client's skin made her hair stand on end again.

"Should I come back other day?" she asked when she managed to calm down again, since it seemed she wasn't going to get tattooed. She wanted to do it, but perhaps what was happening was fate screaming at her that she should think better about it before doing it.

But, if we really think that fate was talking to her, then we could say it was kinda undecided, since the tattoo artist said:

"No, no. You can go with him" and she turn her back to point to a man who was sitting in the back of the studio. "His name is Matthew. He's new here, but I swear he does amazing things. Of course, if you don't want to go with him, you can call later so we can schedule a shift for another day. I'm just offering you to go with him so you don't miss your turn today. I mean, maybe you're busy… Please excuse me" she finished smiling a little embarrassed.

"It's okay, you don't have to apologize..." Sophia started to say as she took a few seconds to think.

And now? What should I do? How should I respond to fate? Shall I promise to call her later and walk through the door and never come back? Or should I go to the back of the studio with that boy who does amazing things?... That sounded bad.

When her mind began to wander, she decided it was time to answer.

"I… I'll go with him." she said confidently.

The tattoo artist nodded and then called the boy and made a gesture with her head pointing to Sofia. Then she went back to her work.

Despite how confident Sofia sounded before, she walked doubtfully to the man.

He was wearing faded jeans, with a black tank top, which showed his arms, which were full of tattoos. His hair was dark, but on closer inspection, she noticed that it was hiding a few fine blue strands. The truth was that he looked a bit intimidating.

"Hi" he said relaxed, making her feel even more nervous.

She answered with a nod.

He told her to take a sit.

"I guess she told you my name, but I'm going to introduce myself. I'm Mateo, what's your name?" he asked as calmed as before.

"Sofia" she replied simply.

"Well Sofia, what are you going to get tattooed?" he asked, tidying up a little the things he was going to use to work.

"I..." she looked again to the man's strong arms. She looked at the tattoos quickly and with disguise. She ended up feeling silly. She was sure that everything he had tattooed must have deep and important meanings. And she was there, about to show him a picture of a pretty design she found on internet.

He looked at her all the time with a grin, while waiting for her answer.

"I want to tattoo this on myself" she said confidently showing her cellphone with the tattoo picture.

He covered his mouth with his hand so he wouldn't let out a laugh.

"And where do you want it?" he asked putting the cellphone beside his things.

She pointed to a zone of her forearm.

He nodded. "Good". And started to put on the latex gloves. "Are you sure?" he asked and smiled mockingly.

She thought there was a trace of mockery in that smile, and she noticed the same in that laugh he didn't want to let out before.

"Yes" she answered with determination.

"Okay... Hey, is anyone going to accompany you? That usually happens when someone gets tattooed for the first time" he could tell she wasn't sure, so he wanted her to listen to that feeling and not get a tattoo. Plus, he could have some fun.

"No, no one is coming" she really didn't have anyone to accompany her.

"Could it be then that I have in front of me a badass girl?" he asked with the same smile. He really wasn't mocking her... Well, maybe a little, but the truth was that seeing Sophia pretending she was sure was kinda cute for him.

"Okay! You think is ridiculous that I want to get tattooed that pretty shit I found on internet. You are full of tattoos and I bet each one of them is really meaningful, but that doesn't allow you to make fun of me. Just do my tattoo" she said quickly, annoyed, without even thinking about it before.

Matthew widened his smile before letting out a big laugh.

"Did you hear how you talked to me? Someone this rude should have a tattoo. It will be the first of many. There's a bunch of very beautiful designs on internet". He replied still laughing. "Give me your arm".

She just rolled her eyes in annoyance at his words, and extended her arm to him.

This girl, God, Mateo thought.

Sofia felt a little bit silly, but not so much. She had always wanted to get tattooed, but when the moment came, she doubt. Then she had to go with Mateo and his jokes, instead of make her think and reflect about what she was going to do, they make her feel encouraged to do it. Now I'm kinda proud and dissapointed of myself.

She didn't know how much time the boy spent to make the tattoo. The slight sound of the machine disturbed her. She wasn't even able to look at her arm while Mateo was making the tattoo. But since it was a simple design, fortunately, it will be all done that day.

Hearing the man's voice announcing that he had finished, gave her an incredible feeling of calm.

And that day she went out of the studio with her tattoo covered in plastic, remembering how Mateo told her to take care of it.