The Mentor

Chapter 21

**Smut warning no one under 18 interact plz**

The next couple of days went by before our next flash challenge and I kept to myself. I did a lot more homework on different tattoo styles and I drew a lot. I had to go out and buy another sketch book because my old one got all filled up. I was cleaning some stuff out and found the original sketch I did for that portrait of Kyle that I did at the beginning of the competition. It was a nice drawing, but I didn't want to look at it, it disgusted me. I ended up burning it in one of the metal trash cans outside.

I came up to my room after getting groceries one night. I decided it would be better to make my own dorm food rather than spending money eating out all the time. After I put everything away, I ran the shower and decided to just relax with the warm water. I left my phone on the nightstand and went to grab it to put on a podcast while I waited for the water to warm up. I glanced at my message icon and there was a big red number 12 hovering in the corner. Jesus, of course. I had been ignoring Kyle entirely ever since what had happened a couple days prior. We had a few days off a week from being in the shop, and I had kept to myself for all of that time. I wouldn't have to see him until tomorrow. I opened the conversation between us and just as I expected, he was bugging out wondering where I had disappeared to.

Hey, do you want to grab breakfast tomorrow?

So that's a no to breakfast?

Are you okay?

You haven't come out of your room. I am worried.

I'm coming over there.

You weren't there

What's going on?

Jamie, I haven't heard from you in a couple days

Are you safe?

Jamie

Hello?

Jamie

I read through all 12 of his messages but ultimately ignored them, making sure to leave the read receipts on.

I stayed in the shower for around 30 minutes just standing there with the water running until my fingers turned wrinkly and I decided it was time to get out. It was only 6:30 but I was tired. I watched some previous seasons of ink masters to get a feel for what more of the challenges might be like. I wondered what all of us looked like on TV, specifically me. I definitely wasn't lacking in the attractive department but I'm a small woman, I didn't know if I had the body for TV. I looked like a twelve year old next to Tatu Baby.

I stayed up until around 9:30 and my phone started ringing with a call from Kyle. I clicked the side button and sent him to voicemail again. I was not talking to him unless I had to. I got so pissed at him trying to call me again that I just went right to sleep.

I woke up the next morning and did my usual routine before heading down to the shop. I took my rental car out of the hotel garage and drove myself. I was not sitting next to Kyle on that bus. I filed into the loft with everyone else and sat down next to Tatu Baby. She glanced over at Kyle. He was sitting on the loveseat in the corner all by himself playing on his phone. He looked sad.

"You're really avoiding him, aren't you?" She whispered.

"Yep. No texts, no phone calls. Tattooing only." I grumbled.

"I got your back." She mumbled, squeezing my thigh.

I smiled.

Kelly and Sam surveyed the situation from their side of the room and glanced over at Tatu Baby and I.