𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 [english]

2.

Sofia had been very happy taking care of her tattoo the following days, the only thing that ruined her happiness a bit was having to go back to the studio to look for Mateo.

"Explain this!" she exclaimed when she was in front of him once more. "What is this?" she asked, discovering her tattoo... About to be completely gone.

"That's what I call…" He put his hand to his chin, pretending to think. "Oh yes, favor".

"Favor" She questioned annoyed.

"You kid, from the door I saw how much you doubted that day. I've been bugging you, waiting for you to take it back, but you didn't. And instead, that encouraged you to get the tattoo". Mateo crossed his arms as if he was scolding her.

"I'm not a kid. I'm 19" Said Sofía also crossing her arms, which of course made her look very childish.

He just laughed with the same tender feeling as before. "Well, you already had your minutes as the 'rebel girl'. Now that you came here, do you really want to get tattooed?"

"I don't know. Okay? I don't know. I always wanted one, but now I don't know".

"Was it that hard to say?" he asked almost with satisfaction.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm a fool. Okay? Happy?"

"Using temporary ink, taking advantage of the fact that you were so afraid to look at your arm while I tattooed you, I prevented you from wanting to take it off in a couple of years. So yeah, I'm happy" he nodded.

Sofia let out a laugh with a hint of sadness. The main reason why she hadn't given a damn about getting the tattoo at first was because she knew she wouldn't have that couple of years to regret it.

"But hey, putting aside that I've been bothering you, you really should think it over. Find something that has meaning for you, kid".

"Stop calling me like that" she asked annoyed, and took one of the boy's arms. "Tell me your tattoos' meaning then".

"Sounds like a challenge" said Mateo smiling. "They have more meaning than a mandala chosen randomly from the internet, I swear".

She released his arm somewhat abruptly. "Don't tell me if you don't want to". She was about to leave, but he stopped her.

"Choose one" he asked, extending his arms. "Chose one, wichever one you want, and I'm going to tell you its story. Now I'll tell you one and the rest, at some other time when we meet".

She smiled when the thought of bothering him crossed her mind, even if it was going to cost him a possible date, or a possible friend? The truth had not been clear to her what Mateo was referring to.

"It doesn't matter anymore. You know, I'll wait for the temporary ink on your tattoo to fade, and I'll find another tattoo artist" she said smiling innocently and said goodbye to leave the place.

This girl, God, Mateo thought again.