The Mentor

Chapter 29

**I  have included some more AI art of Jamie that my collaboration friend made. I  will ask them to do more for some of the other characters soon!**

I sat down at the drawing table with my client. She was pretty heavily tattooed already. She introduced herself to me as,

"Jenna"

That was a nice name.

"I see you have quite a bit of stuff already, do you have anything on your legs at all?" I asked.

She shook her head.

"No, not really. I like bold, traditional styles though."

Traditional, sweet. It was one of my favorite styles and a bold, simple tattoo could secure me my spot in the finale.

"Oh, sweet! Want to do something in that realm, then?" I asked.

She nodded excitedly.

The designing process was surprisingly easy.

"How about we do a shark with a banner at the bottom that has...I don't know, the year you were born?" I suggested.

"1990," she chimed in.

"Oh cool, me too." I chuckled.

It was odd not walking around acting like I was born in 1996.

I drew up a basic rendition of the design and she ok'd it. It was almost 7:30 by the time we were finished. A couple people had already finished their consultation and left the studio, but Kyle was still here.

I packed up my things and skipped over to him.

"What're you doing for yours?" I asked.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and whispered in my ear.

"It's a secret." He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and pulled away from him.

"I'll see you soon, okay?"

He nodded and smiled at me, going back to pack up his things.

I walked down the stairs to get outside and Tatu Baby was having a cigarette by the front door.

"Hey, honey. Where are you headed now?" She asked.

I shrugged.

"I'm not sure yet, what about you?"

She sighed.

"Well, I was supposed to meet up with Yvonne, my new nail girl, but she canceled. So I have to go to the beauty supply and get some stupid press ons to tie me over for now. Do you wanna come?"

"Why not?" I chuckled.

She leaned away from her spot on the wall and put her cigarette out under her sexy stiletto heel.

Thankfully, the beauty supply was just down the street.

We got to the store and Baby immediately dragged me to the nail aisle. We looked at a million different designs for press on nails but eventually settled on some long french tips. If I could not bite my fingers off and wear those, I would.

"Just a reminder, ladies. All our nail polish, hair color, and hair extensions are 30% off today!" the sales clerk shouted.

"Thank you!" Baby shouted back.

I veered off into the hair color aisle and looked at the many options of rainbow that were available to me. I did need a change. My once bubblegum pink hair had faded to a dusty rose gold color, I hadn't bothered taking care of it the entire time I'd been away from home.