The Bad Boy And His Baby

Chapter 5

"Last one. You ready?" Asks Tobias as he holds the clean needle up. "Yeah." Answers Ji. Tobias pushes the needle through Ji's ear and I watch in awe. Ji got a total of five piercings done. An industrial and tragus on the right and a rook, flat, snug and helix on the left. He definitely has a lot of money.

I'm not surprised that Ji doesn't flinch once the needle goes through. He looks like he can handle a lot of pain. "You didn't need to hold my hand after all." I say playfully as Tobias puts a silver earring through the hole. "I didn't wanna embarrass myself in front of you." Answers Ji and I chuckle.

"Thanks man." He says as Tobias takes off the gloves. "Anytime." Tobias turns to me. "You should get a piercing too. I always give my friends discounts."

"I'll think about it. I don't know if my boss will allow it."

"Oh right, you work at that fancy restaurant yeah? That place is ass." Ji chuckles. "Everyone that goes there are snobs." They laugh together and I raise an eyebrow. "You went there twice. That makes you a snob too."

My phone suddenly rings, interrupting our conversation. I look at the caller id. It's my mom. "I've gotta take this." I say before I answer the phone and walk outside. "Hey mom." The last thing I need is for her to hear boys in the background. I still haven't come up for a plan when she comes to visit. "Hey honey. I have exciting news."

"Do you have another fashion show?" I'm glad another one has come up. That gives me more time to plan. "No, even more exciting. I just landed in California right now." My heart literally drops. "What?" The air around me is even colder. Why didn't she call me yesterday? Why is she only telling me now? I'm screwed.

"I'm at the airport. I thought I'd surprise you." I'm at a loss for words and she takes my silence as a bad thing. "You're not excited to see me?"

"No, I am. It's just, there won't be a place for you to stay. There are only two rooms in my apartment."

"So? You have a couch. Don't worry, I won't be a nuisance. Think you can come pick me up? You have a car right?"

Yeah, I'm totally ruined now. My life has officially taken a turn for the worst. "Yeah, I'll come pick you up."

"Great! See you soon honey!" She ends the call.

"Everything alright?" Ji walks out of the place and towards me. "My mom wants to visit. She just came from a fashion show in Hawaii."

"Mom issues?" I shake my head. "It's not that. It's just..." He tilts his head. "Tell me." And I do cause I can't resist the way he looks at me. "I live in a crappy place and I don't want my mom to find out where I live. I have no idea what to do."

"Is your mom at the airport already?" I nod. "Yeah. She wants me to pick her up. I told her I have a car. I guess I'll just have to own up." He looks at me for a few seconds and I'm unsure of his expression. "Tell you what, let's go to your place and you get clothes, then we pick up your mom and you two can stay by my place." My eyes widen.

Has he lost his mind? He definitely has. "Are you crazy?"

"Maybe. Come on, it's a winning situation for you. Your mom won't find out where you live and you can pretend I'm your roommate."

"But she already knows who my roommate is."

"Then we tell her another lie." I eye him. "Why are you telling me to lie to my mom?" He holds up his hands in defense. "I'm not but if you're willing to show her where you live, then be my guest."

I cross my arms. "But if I get my clothes, you'll know where I live." His playful smile vanishes. "I'd never judge you." It must be the way he says it or what he said but I get this weird feeling in my chest. What the heck? I've known him for like a day and I'm already getting all flustered. We get into the car and I give him directions to my apartment.