I gripped my tool tightly in my hand, trying to finish my last client before my break. I cleaned off the excess ink before putting a cream and gauze on the peacock that I just finished.
"Thanks! It's gorgeous!" The girl said standing up and reaching out to shake my hand.
"You're welcome! Come back anytime and be sure to put the cream on it for a week." I said to her. I walked her to the counter and rung her up. I handed her a small bag with the care instruction and the medical cream. I grabbed the pack of Marblo lights and a lighter from the register. Throwing my smock at my station, I walked out the back door yelling a goodbye to Philip, my boss.
"Be back in 45!" Philip yelled back. I laughed and waved, slamming the back door open. I slipped on my aviators and pulled out a cigarette. I lit it up and put it between my lips and took a drag. My break must have gone fast, soon I had gone through 4 cigarettes and Philip had called me back in. I washed my hands in the back sink and grabbed another set of latexs.
I waited for my next appointement, a guy named Austin, to come in. I cleaned my tool and got out some new needles. By the time I finished setting up I heard the bell on the door ring. I saw a tall, lanky dark haired biy and a smaller, ginger boy walk in the shop. Isabel beat me to them. She pointed in my direction, sending them to my station.
"So which one of you is Austin?" I asked looking between them. I, of course, already knew who they were. They're in my favorite band!
"That would be me!" Austin said, raising his hand. I smiled at him and pointed to the chair. He sat down and explained the tattoo. It was definetly going to be beautiful. I grabbed all my ink and started the outline on the side of his leg.
"What does your rose tattoo say?" Alan asked admiring my shoulder. I glanced at him quickly before tellin him about the All Time Low lyrics underneath the rose. That sparked a whole conversation about my art and how I designed all of my own.
Time flew by quickly and I was ringing Austin up.
"Hey, we could use some new designs for merch if you're willing to do it." Alan spoke up.
"Uh, sure I guess." I muttered, my face heating up. Alan grinned and handed me a paper.
"My number. We'll talk okay?" He smiled. They waved and exited the shop. I stared at the paper and grinned, slipping it in my pocket.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I got home that night I flopped onto my couch and switched on the t.v. I pulled out my phone and the slip of paper and saved Alan's number. I typed out a message telling him who I was when my door opened. My roommate Elania came in, dumping a bag on the floor.
"How was work?" I asked with a knowing smile.
"Emerson, you ask this question everyday. It's always the same answer. I hate teaching children ballet. How was tattooing?" She asked sitting beside me, unlacing her ballet shoes.
"I met a few...interesting people." I smirked, telling her about my day. I told her about meeting Alan and Austin and she gave me a look and winked.
"Take the offer!" She squealed. I smiled and told her about the meeting Alan and I decided so I could give him some sketch ideas.
My phone went off late that night and I smiled.
Alan:
Is tomorrow a good day to meet? :3
Emerson:
Sure. Coffee at 11?
I slipped into my bed and rrad my message.
Alan:
See you then (:
I smiled and shut out my lights.
Good things come to those who wait.
