The Mentor

Chapter 26

The next day came far too soon. We were going into another elimination and after this one, it was down to our final week before the finale. Jime, Tatu Baby, Kelly, Sausage, Kyle, and all the apprentices were the only ones left. We were at the point where both Baby and Kyle had been eliminated in seasons past, and that meant the heat was going to be turned up.
I had gotten so wrapped up in thinking about my conversation with Scott that I didn't even bother to draw the night before and I felt incredibly unprepared.
We loaded onto the bus that morning and I headed toward my usual spot and plopped down. Kyle turned to face me and smiled.

"Did you manage to find a ride last night?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Yup, Scott drove me back to the hotel." I said, motioning to him up at the front of the bus.

I looked up and Scott just happened to be turned in our direction. I waved. He waved back.
My gaze lingered for a second but then Scott motioned for me to come up and sit next to him. I looked at Kyle for approval.

"Go," He mouthed.

I made my way up and sat down in the seat next to Scott.

"What did you need?" I asked.

Good God, that sounded rude.

He chuckled.

"I suppose you could say I need something from you. But I wanted to tell you something first."

I nodded in his direction, telling him to continue on.

"I think you have a spark in you that a lot of younger tattooers do not have. I see a lot of potential in you, especially with that tattoo from the last challenge."

"I really appreciate that." I said softly, smiling.

Scott scooted closer to me and leaned in close to my face. It was kind of a chilly day, he was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt that concealed most of his face. He smelled like cigarettes.

"Well, I've got an offer for you. I don't want anyone else to hear about this yet. But I'm opening another location for The Great Prince in Troy. I am going to be moving people around but I'm going to need at least three new artists. I think you'd be a great fit. Would you like to join the staff when all this is done?"

I was in shock. I had no idea what to say.

"Uh...wow...that's a hefty offer there, Scott. Can Kyle come too?" I asked.

Scott sighed and leaned back in his seat.

"Um...yeah, maybe. I haven't quite got the whole thing figured out yet. The building is standing and put together but the staffing hasn't exactly been sorted. I will talk to him when and if I feel the time is right." He sighed.

"Oh, okay, I get it." I muttered.

I talked to Scott minimally for the rest of the ride and caught up with Kyle when we arrived at the studio.

"Hey you, what did Scott want?" He asked.

"He's opening a new location for his studio and offered me a job..." my voice trailed off.

"Oh, Jamie, that's great! Both of us?"

"Uh, yeah, both of us got offered together. He said he has to hire at least three new people." I lied.

I did feel bad, but I didn't want to try to rub it in. Truly, only I had been offered a spot. Scott said he would talk to Kyle IF he felt it was right. I don't know how Scott really felt about Kyle, I couldn't do much to change his mind.
We hung out in the loft for a bit and eventually filed into the shop.
Dave, Oliver, Chris, and Scott were all squished together on the couch. Dave went through the normal TV script.