I Hate You More

Grumpy Emo Dude

Harlen (her and Gianna's outfit minus the beanie)

I tied my box braids up into a high ponytail before walking across the hall and knocking on my sister's bedroom door, "G. You ready?"

"Yeah," She sighed and opened her door, "well- almost. I need help."

I chuckled softly before passing her, and entering her room to grab a brush, and a spray water bottle. I then gently wrapped my hand around her wrist, and sat us both on her bed. Gianna's room was pretty stereotypical for her being a seven year old girl, meaning her walls were pink, and everything was pretty much princess themed.

"Pigtails?" I asked earning a curt nod.

I did as she asked, using my finger to curl the hair of each pigtail all together, "There ya go dude."

"I'm not a dude." She scoffed.

So much attitude and for what, "Ok whatever. Hurry up and put your shoes on. I have to be at the shop by 4:00 and it's 3:45."

Gianna nodded her head and rushed out of her room. By time I grabbed my bag, and my earbuds, and made it to our front door, she had followed my instructions and was ready to leave.

"Let's dip chocolate chip." I smiled as I took the young girl's hand in mine, and led us out the door before turning around to lock it behind us.

"That's kind of lame." She giggled.

"Eh, you love it." I grinned causing her to let out a playful eye roll.

Was a tattoo shop the greatest environment for a first grader? No, probably not, but, it certainly was not the worst, and due to the fact that Gianna was done with school for the day, and could not stay home by herself, that would have to be good enough. I swung our hands but, I let go of her as we stepped foot in the parking lot of the plaza the shop was located in, allowing her to run ahead of me to the entrance, and let herself in.

"Shit." I mumbled after dropping my apartment keys

I bent down to pick them up, and when I stood back up, I felt a force knock into me. Then, I felt a cold liquid run down the front of my overalls. Great. This is great. All I wanted to do was go do my job. The only thing in my life that I like, besides Gigi, and my coworkers. This is why I couldn't have nice things, because it was just my luck, that they were always destroyed.

"Oh shit," A raspy voice chuckled. He sounded like he had been screaming, "sorry."

He didn't seem all that genuine. Actually, he seemed like he was kind of an asshole.

"Thanks for that." I rolled my eyes.

"I said I'm sorry," He scoffed, "it's not like I meant to spill. Why would I buy an iced coffee just to spill it all over some random chick?"

"Great," My eyes rolled again, "you seem super genuine! I appreciate that."

He let out an eye roll of his own at my sarcasm, bringing my attention to the eyeliner around his eyes. I took in his spiky black hair and his tattoo littered arms. He was really quite attractive. Too bad he was an absolute asshole.

"Any time." He smiled with the same hint of sarcasm that I had shown him seconds before.

I noticed the cigarette tucked behind his ear, and reached up, swiping it.

"What the fuck," He muttered, "yo! That's fucking mine."

I tucked the stick behind my ear before turning around and walking towards the entrance of the shop, "You spilled your fucking coffee all over me. It's the least you could do."

"You've got to be fucking kidding." He shouted after me.

I looked back to see him walking in the other direction and sent him a middle finger before making my way through the parlor's front door.

"What happened to you?" My best friend, and coworker Phoebe chuckled as I entered the shop.

"Fucking douche bag in the parking lot." I grumbled.

"Harls!" Gianna gasped.

Oops.

"Shit- fuck," I covered my mouth pulling a laugh from Renee, the co-owner of 'Ink Assassin' (the shop I work at), and Jamie, the other co-owner, "sorry dude. I'm done now I promise."

About fifteen minutes later a bell jingled, signaling the entrance of a customer, and pulled my eyes to the front door.

"Ah fuck."

——————————————————————————
Remington

After going back to Starbucks to get a new drink -begrudgingly might I add- I decided to do what any normal person does when they need to feel something, and get a tattoo. Luckily for me, there was a tattoo parlor right in the same plaza as the Starbucks. Ok, I thought I was lucky, until I opened the door.

"Ah fuck." She sighed as I walk through the door.

"Harlen Shay." A little girl said sternly from a waiting chair that was to my right, bringing a smirk to my face.

What? She was adorable, and it felt like we were on the same side.

"I know I know," The older girl whined before focusing on me, "what the f-frick do you want?"

"Harlen Shay," A woman with blue hair reprimanded her, causing more joy to course it's way through my veins, "that's not how you speak to a customer!"

"That's not a customer-"

I cut her off, the smirk on my face widening, "Actually- I am."

She rolled her eyes instantly coming up with a response, "I see you got another coffee! Try to actually drink it this time, hm?"

"Try to actually drink it this time." I mocked her in a high-pitched, mumbly voice.

"Ok. I can get you ready to go," A red-head chuckled as she made her way to the front desk, and slipped me the proper paper work, "I'm Phoebe. Just fill this out. Do you know what you want?"

I nodded my head, and after filling out the paper work, I followed her back to a tattoo bed, being introduced to the other employees on the way. They all seemed really sweet, and likable. Well, except for one. Are we on the same page? I think we're on the same page.

"So," Phoebe smiled, "what were you thinking?"

"I think the word 'idiot' going across his forehead would be perfect." The girl, who I now knew as Harlen smiled innocently. Not that I didn't see straight through it.

"Ha. Ha," I smiled sarcastically, "you know I've actually had a really shit day so-"

"If I hear another swear word I'm gonna scream." The little girl who was coloring at the front desk groaned.

"Sorry Gi." Harlen's expression changed from a gentle one, to one of pure annoyance when she looked at me, "and you've had a bad day? Get this. Some really grumpy emo dude spilled coffee all over me, and couldn't even give me a genuine apology in return, let alone a flipping napkin!"

I rolled my eyes and opened my mouth to retort but was cut off by Phoebe speaking up, "Stop moving. You'll mess me up."

I muttered out an apology before sending a glare to Harlen, who stuck her tongue out at me in return. We continued exchanging dirty looks throughout the appointment.

"Harlen Shay Fields," Phoebe groaned after getting hit in the head with a crumpled up piece of paper. Luckily, Harlen waited until Phoebe lifted the tattoo gun to try and hit me in the head, "would you stop acting like an absolute fu- flipping kid?"

I laughed, warranting her to send me a dirty look, "And you. This is the last time I'm telling you to be still. If I mess this up, and it's on you, you're still paying full price. Got it?"

I nodded my head. As I looked to Harlen I saw a smirk on her face, and I was able to take in her light hazel eyes, and her glowing, freckled skin. She was really quite beautiful. Painstakingly beautiful.

Too bad she was an absolute asshole.