Die In California

18

Rook's POV:

It was the morning of Devyn's final practical exam, and honestly I was excited. I always found myself being excited to get a new tattoo, but I was even more so due to Devyn being the artist. This was it, she was going to show her true talent, and she was going to ace her exam.

I woke up and showered before changing into a simple outfit that consisted of black skinny jeans with rips in the knees, a black t-shirt, black leather belt, and black boots. I decided to leave my hair down, over my forehead rather than slicked back, before clipping a long silver necklace around my neck. Once I was ready, I headed downstairs for some food.

"We got eggs and bacon." Baze announced as he turned around holding the pan, wearing an apron that really contradicted his appearance. "Devyn, we need'a make sure you're all filled up and raring to go." He smiled so sweetly at her - almost fatherly.
"And you need to eat because you're receiving the tattoo." Devyn raised an eyebrow at me as she pointed to my plate that was empty. I rolled my eyes but appreciated her concern; it showed that the old her was coming back.

We all sat and ate breakfast together, a rare occurrence, before Kells, Devyn, Ashleigh and I piled into the car. Ash drove us to the tattoo studio that had signed Devyn up for the course, then we all walked in together - Kells and Ashleigh decided to stick around for moral support. They would probably end up going shopping or something while they waited.

"Ah, welcome back, Devyn! How's the course going?" The all-too cheerful receptionist Marilyn immediately tugged Devyn into a tight hug, before ushering her behind the door to where she'd be working. We could hear them talking through the pass-through above the back counter, and Marilyn was introducing her to the examiner that would be watching over her. They then got started on the exam, the examiner running her through the first half by asking her questions in which she had to answer, and getting her to set everything up correctly. It seemed like serious business.

"Mr Cappelletty. We're ready when you are." Marilyn popped through the door before disappearing again.
"Good luck, man." Kells laughed as he patted my back.
"Oh, hush. You know she'll do great. It's our girl that's doin' it." Ashleigh playfully swatted Kells' arm before placing a gentle hand on my bicep. I nodded and thanked them before walking through the swinging door.

As I walked through, I found Devyn seated on a stool, fiddling around with the equipment. I could tell that she was nervous and on edge, but I knew it would be for a good reason. I hoped that I could help to calm her down. "Hey." I smiled at her, taking a seat on the black leather chair.
"What are we doin' then, JP?" Devyn asked, as if she didn't decide for me last night. I quietly laughed to myself and played along, telling her that I wanted a faint face design on the inside of my arm, overlapping the edge of my sleeve.

Devyn got right to work, printing out the stencil, prepping my arm, and transferring the stencil. I watched as she so delicately worked, careful not to make a mistake, before grabbing the tattoo gun. "This may sting a little, but we're gonna get started if you're happy with it." Devyn announced, looking up at me with a shy smile.
"Let's go." I nodded, getting comfortable on the chair. "And please. I take pain better than anyone." I scoffed, making her lightly laugh at my cockiness.

The first few moments were silent, until I decided to break the ice - it was killing me. "So, uh, how's the business goin'?" I asked teasingly, making her lightly shake her head with a small laugh.
"You're ridiculous." She giggled.
"I jus' wanna warn you, we're friends, so anything that seems like something a real client wouldn't do, that's down to it being us two." I explained to the examiner with a laugh, making him shake his head with a small smile.

"What d'you think's gonna be your favourite design to tattoo?" I asked after a few moments, my eyes on her face as she momentarily narrowed her eyes in concentration. She looked good with the tattoo gun in her hand, her eyes a little narrowed, and her teeth gently gripping her soft bottom lip. Her side profile was gorgeous, just like her front profile, and every profile imaginable. She was just gorgeous.