Her and the Basketball Champion

chapter 30

Jonas

I sit on a dingy chair against the wall, opposite the dentist's seat in Seb's Tattoo Parlour. 

I'm currently waiting to meet Mark here, after Seb called me telling me he would come straight to the Parlour after his flight back from London.

I decided to come a bit early and surprise him,  I havn't seen the guy in years. The shop is completely empty, and it feels nice to sit here alone, in the peaceful atmosphere. 

I lean my head back up against the wall, staring at the tattoo designs in front of me on the wall, seeing if I spot one I like. 

There's so many to choose from, but I know I'd prefer a more meaningful one. 

Just like the one I had done three days ago. 

Every time I look at myself in the mirror, I can't help but pull up my shirt and stare at if. I end up losing track of time as I stand there, my thoughts wandering very far.

I get pulled out of thoughts when I hear the door open, and I stand up, a grin on my face as I see my old friend walk in, with an identical smirk on his face.

His eyes widen as he looks at me, and before I know it, he's moving forward and engulfing me in a bro hug. 

I laugh and hug him back, patting his back as I step away again, taking in his messy brown hair and hazel eyes. His face has matured a lot since I'v last seen him, and I can tell he's been working out more because his arms are literally bulging out of his sleeves. 

"You been working out? Looks like you could crack an egg with those arms." I say, punching him lightly on his bicep.

"Yeah, I know I know." He laughs and he moves to walk further into the room, picking up his bags from where he dropped them as soon as he came in. 

"So, how's London?" I ask as I help him grab his other bag, placing it near the reception desk as he leans against it, surveying the room. 

"It's been amazing. I can't tell you how much I love it there. You should definitely come to visit sometime." He replies, and I can tell from the way he smiles, that he doesn't regret his decision to move to London. 

Ever since he started applying abroad to music studios, and sharing his music and work out there, he's been getting a lot of apprenticeships and job offers in different countries. As far as I know, London is the music hub, so I guess that was the best place for him so he could open up his options. Live his life in other words.

"I will, dude. Just gotta get through A-Levels and shit, plus basketball is getting busier." I say. It's true, there has been a lot more training sessions and games recently, but I'm not going to complain because I love all of it. 

"Yeah, of course. So, How are you? How's Mace?" Mark asks, referring to my kid sister, Masie. 

She's eight, but her and Mark were always so close, and he left when she was around six years old, so she would constantly ask around for him. 

"She's good. Growing up fast. Following in my footsteps. She's going to be the next best female basketball champion." I say. It's true, whenever I go to training, she always asks if she can come with me, and sometimes I even take her and she sits and watches us play, occasionally dribbling the basketball around with my teammates at the end of practice.

She's getting good. 

Mark laughs, shaking his head. "I bet she'll be better than you." He laughs out and I punch his arm again, smirking slightly, knowing she probably will be, but I don't tell anyone else that. "Never." I say as I sigh and cross my arms over my chest, leaning back against the desk next to Mark as we stare at the room in front of us.

"So, pick a tattoo because I'm going to give you you're first one." Mark says, and my eyes widen.

The thing is, Mark has basically grown up in this shop because his dad owns the place, so he would always watch Seb tattoo other people, then started practicing when he was around fourteen years old. I remember his first time trying it on himself, he tried to write his name but he fucked it up and now it looks like someone shat on his leg. 

Luckily it's above his knee, so no-one really sees it, even when he wears shorts, but I will never forget that.

Mark's always known that I have wanted a tattoo, and that he would be the one to give it to me when I got it, but to be honest I completely forgot about that a few days ago when I came here and got my first tattoo without him knowing. 

"Um, about that..." I say before Mark turns towards me with wide eyes. 

"Holy shit. You got one? Bitch, I was supposed to do it for you." He fake pouts and I shrug.

"I forgot, sorry. I was too caught up in the moment." I say, remembering when I had wanted a distraction away from her. 

"Well, let me see it then." He says, an expectant look on his face.

I huff and lift up my shirt hesitantly, turning the right side of my body to face him as he looks down to where the tattoo is placed. I see him narrow his eyes, trying to discern why I might have a tattoo that says princess on my hip line. 

Well, maybe he doesn't need to find out. 

"Why did you pick princess? Hold up, you have a girl?" He says and I shake my head frantically. 

"I don't. I just liked it so did it." I said, my heart beating furiously against my chest.

I wish I could have her. 

He narrows his eyes again and looks at me for a minute longer before slowly nodding his head, and I can tell he doesn't fully believe me, but I he doesn't mention it further and I'm glad at the change of subject when he turns towards the chair and gestures towards it.

"Well, since you've already gotten your first one, I may aswell do the second." He lifts up his eyebrows as he holds the tattoo gun next to him with his eyebrows raised. 

Fuck.

So guys, what do you think Jonas' next tattoo will be?