Tattoo [Rucas Short Story]

Tattoo

He sees her late one Saturday night at a tattoo parlor downtown. She looks nervous sitting on a chair in the waiting area, the fidgeting of her fingers a dead giveaway. He doesn't know why he's overcome with a sense of protecting her. He doesn't even know her, but there was something about the way she looked so small and defenseless sitting there alone that caused his legs to start walking her way.

She'd been looking down at her clasped hands when he stopped an acceptable distance in front of her. She looked up at him obviously a bit startled and his heart stopped. At least that's what it felt like when her wide brown doe eyes connected with his. It wasn't that she was beautiful - though she was - that had him speechless for a few seconds. It was the look in her eyes. He could see it clear as day: innocence.

Lucas Friar always had had a tendency to help out those in need, those who were defenseless, and those who were innocent. It was one of the reasons he wanted to be a vet. Animals in their own right were quite defenseless and he wanted to be able to help them. Looking down at this girl he felt that same need. He felt like he had to help. If only he could get his voice to work.

"Can I help you?" Lucas' heart suddenly started beating again as her voice infiltrated his system. It was soft, meek, and unsure. She looked at him warily and he could immediately sense her distrust.

Lucas put a smile on his face and outstretched his hand. "I'm Lucas."

She stared down at it, her brows furrowing slightly. "Are you one of the tattoo artists?" Her gaze shifted back to his.

"Uh, no" Lucas pulled his hand back and shoved it in the pocket of his jeans. "I saw you siting here by yourself and it looked like you could use some company."

"I'm here with a friend." Her response was immediate, almost panicked.

"Oh. Are you waiting for them to get their art done?" He was the one to furrow his brows this time. He had a slight suspicion that this girl was lying to him.

"Um. Yeah, yes. That's exactly what I'm doing." She stammered while vigorously nodding her head in affirmation to his statement.

"Okay. Then I'll keep you company until they come out." He shrugged his shoulders and started making his way to the empty seat beside her, but her voice stopped him.

"No!" She rushed out her eyes slightly widening. He looked at her with an arched brow and then had to suppress a grin when her cheeks turned pink.

"I mean," she amended, "That's not necessary. She'll be out any second now."

"Uh huh." Lucas mused while nodding his head. He didn't believe a word. "Correct me if I'm wrong but don't friends usually go in with each other in these kinds of situations for support?"

There was that blush again. He couldn't stop his grin the second time around because she looked cute when she blushed. He wanted to make her do it again.

"Yeah, you're right." she started while avoiding his gaze by looking at the doorway that led to the back of the shop where the tats were done. "But she didn't want me to go with her. She wants the tattoo to be a surprise."