The Mentor

Chapter 20

I opened my eyes and looked around the room. Everything was where it had been the night before. I had rolled over but Kyle's arm was still tucked under my body. He was still fast asleep. I sat up and just looked at him for a little while. I played with his hair and ran my hands through it, whispering little sweet things to him, since I knew he couldn't hear me.
Eventually I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and looked at the time. Shit, it was 10:00 already. I freaked out and immediately jumped out of the bed. I shook Kyle awake and he was not happy with me.

"Jesus fucking christ, what's going on?" He asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Uh, it's ten. Get up, we have to be at the shop in an hour."

He groaned and pulled himself out of the bed and put on a clean shirt. I put my shoes on and grabbed my backpack, tossing Kyle his in the process.

He stumbled back when the heavy bag hit him in the chest and eventually he just dropped it on the floor again.

"When did you get here?" He mumbled.

I turned around angrily.

"What? You seriously don't remember?"

He thought for a second

"Uh...kind of. I kind of do. I remember you getting here but I thought you'd left."

"You had too much to drink." I grumbled, bending down to tie my shoe.

"Again...I'm sorry Jamie.. Look, I-"

I cut him off.

"Let's not worry about that now. I gotta get my shit together. We'll talk later."

I ran out the door, slamming it shut on my way out. I got back to my room and wiped myself down with Aloe and Chamomile wipes instead of showering, I didn't have time. I did my normal makeup routine and threw on an oversized hoodie and went to head downstairs to grab breakfast.

Tatu baby saw me fumbling with my bag in the hallway and laughed.

"Honey, you forgot your pants!" She shouted.

I looked down, shit, of course. Thankfully the hoodie was long enough for me to get away with it. I got back into my room and pulled some random jeans out of my suitcase before finally getting downstairs. I grabbed a cold bagel and some jelly and ate as fast as I could before heading for the bus.
I sat down in my designated spot with ten minutes to spare. Kyle hadn't come downstairs yet. I started to get a little worried when finally he showed up and flopped in the seat next to mine. He sighed and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Can't we just not tattoo today? I'm too tired. I'm too tired for all this." He grumbled.

"Shouldn't have stayed up that late then, that's on you. You're lucky I saved our asses by getting up when I did. You've gotta fight through it and tattoo to stay, bud."

"But I'm tired, and I'm ooooollllld!" He whined.

"Stop whining. Let's just get through today and talk later." I said, pulling my water out of my backpack.

We rolled up to the shop and filed in. I got Kyle a water bottle and we sat down in the main room before the cameras showed up and the judges let themselves in. Dave eventually started speaking like normal.

"Welcome, artists. Only seven groups of you remain, be ready. 100,000$ is on the line, here. The competition is getting tight. We have something special for you all today."

Everyone looked around at one another.

"Today, there will be no flash challenge.We are going right into our next elimination. Right here, right now." Dave announced.