Misconstructed

Sixteen

Friday's come and gone like nothing. Janice thought it would be fitting to give us a book report that's due monday and I have yet to figure out which book that would be. I don't read much, so maybe she can suggest something. Looking at my phone, I see that she hasn't messaged or called me about carpooling to "Last resort". We've sent some texts back and forth so it's not like she doesn't have my number. I send her a text letting her know that I will meet her there but when I look up, she's coming right for me. "Ready?" Nodding my head, I sling my bag up to my shoulder and get ready for today's adventure.

She drives a Kia Soul, although I'm not familiar with the year yet, "What year is this?"

"Twenty fourteen," she tells me.

"Getting old, isn't it?" I tease her.

"Just get in," she playfully rolls her eyes at me. I do as I'm told and when I get into the passenger seat, I can't help but go to last night's thoughts about her. How bad I wanted her. She's right there, just reach over, grab her hair and start kissing her neck. But in front of everyone? Hell no. Her boyfriend probably wouldn't mind fighting me then, not that I would back down.

I stay in my seat, hands to myself as we make our way to the shop. I don't give her directions as she has them on her phone. "So what do you plan on getting?" I ask her.

"I'm going to get some birds flying on my wrist, three of them to be exact." Birds? I guess I can't really say anything. Everyone has their own image and this just happens to be hers. The radio is low, giving us the opportunity to talk, converse, but it's like my mind is blank now since I had those thoughts about her.

"Birds, huh Ms. Fits,"

"Please, outside of school it's Janice. I'm not an old school teacher, so please, first name." I slowly nod my head but stay quiet, waiting for her answer. "Birds are a symbol of freedom and independence. Plus, they're my favorite animal." I think of the different kinds of birds that can kill you and can't stop thinking about the bald eagle.

It takes almost no time to get to Gary's shop, considering there's no traffic. When we do get there though, the two of us enter the shop. "Hey, hey, look who's back." I know he's talking to me but I don't answer him, instead I keep my full attention on her. She's looking around the shop at all the different tattoos, and pictures of the different prints people have gotten over the years.

"Change your mind yet?" I question her, slumping my shoulders over as I put my hands in my pockets.

"No, no it's not that..." her facial expression changes from intrigued to daring in a matter of seconds.

"Whatcha thinking about?"

"Get one."

"What?" My face drops.

"Get a tattoo with me." She insists. I uncover my recent tattoo and hold it up to show her. "So?"

"So I don't have the money for one."

She goes back to looking at the different tattoos. "Hmm."

"And there's no way I'm asking you for the money." I hold up a hand, shaking my head. And suddenly, her next 'hmm' is less hopeful than the last. "I don't even want one at the moment," I shrug. That was a complete lie. I really couldn't want anything more at the moment, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let this woman talk me into it.

"Ready?" Gary asks her, ready to get to work. Janice takes one last look at me. Giving her a thumbs up, she nods at him, getting in his chair. "So we're doing the wrist and a bit of the forearm?"

"Yes, shaded in please." I hang back a bit, giving her her space when she motions for me to come sit by her. "Is it okay if Saxton sits by me?" She asks. Shrugging his shoulders, I make my way over to her, only to sit in a chair that's so uncomfortable, it might as well be in a prisoner's cell.