When He Calls (Moons of Nibiru - Book #1)

chpt - 22: poison ivies

i have crushes on too many people, it's cringeworthy

literally wanted to get close to my crush by asking for skating lessons

anyway, enjoy ...

***

"YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?" HE ASKED her. "It's gonna last for at least a month, and where you want it it's very visible."

Amy nodded surely. "I'm tired of holding back reckless decisions. They're mine, aren't they?"

"I like the sound of that." said Dean with a smile.

"When you said 'equipment' I imagined a tattoo needle and a lot of ink." said Amy when Dean brought out the book of temporary tattoo sheets and a small bowl of cold water along with a cloth.

"That's for permanent tattoos." Dean told as he handed Amy the book. "You can pick out whichever one you like."

Amy smiled at him. "Are you sure I can't pay you?"

Dean shook his head kindly. "If you pay me, it'll mean I'm back in business."

Amy gave him a gentle nod before slowly flipping through the book. There were some intriguing choices, but she wanted a tattoo on the spot between the end of her jaw and behind her left ear. She imagined music notes — not that she knew the meaning of any of them. Or maybe a flower? It was cliché, but the meaning behind certain flowers spoke more than quotes.

Suddenly Amy laughed when she realized she was thinking like someone who was getting an actual tattoo.

She flipped past symbols and Japanese characters. When she came to the section of flowers, she found one that spoke to her.

"This one." she said, pointing to the flower as she showed it to Dean.

He observed the picture, admired the art, and then he smiled. Amy bit her bottom-lip when she felt a ticklish sensation in her belly. She looked away before her eyes went down to his lips.

"Alright then," Dean put a chair next to the one he brought out for Amy. They were in his bedroom; his folks were out. His bedroom was neater than what Amy expected. It was small yet comfortable. A single window above the bed welcomed in sunlight. Posters of anime Amy knew she'd never find interest in looked down at them from the dark-purple walls. His bed was made, and what caught Amy's eyes the second she walked inside was the plush elephant with a bowtie tucked between the pillows.

Dean took out a sanitized napkin from a box next to his bed and gently wiped against the spot where Amy wanted the tattoo. They then waited for the spot to dry first.

"So," Dean started, making himself comfortable. "How are things with you?"

"What things?" Amy asked, careful not to look at Dean's warm smile which held the return of the sensation in her belly.

Dean shrugged innocently. "I make it a habit to have a conversation with my customers; get to know them."

"I thought you said you weren't back in business?" Amy raised a teasing eyebrow.

"I'm not." claimed Dean. He carefully ripped the picture of Amy's choice out from the book and gently pulled back the plastic film covering the tattoo. Then, careful again, he placed the picture side over the dried spot and smoothed it down first.

"This is gonna be cold." said he before dipping the cloth into the bowl of water and then dabbing it against the square picture. A chill ran down the girl's spine, but she did not react physically.