Absolution | +18

Chapter 1

Val

11 years later

"Val, are you there?" The voice of my best friend pulls me out of my thoughts, startling me a bit. The crisp fall air brushes my cheeks as I continue my walk to my father's brownstone.

"Yeah, Maddie, I'm still here. Sorry, I got distracted." I trail off, unable to come up with a better excuse for not knowing what topic she's moved on to. I have a habit of getting lost in my thoughts, a tendency I've had since I was young, but Maddie is used to it by now.

"That's okay. Anyway, as I was saying, since we're entering our junior year at our dream college, we have to do something to celebrate!"

Her tone suggests whatever she has planned is more than a simple celebration, but like always, I bite.

"What kind of celebration, Mads? We already have parties lined up until Halloween," I say with a light laugh, unsure if I'm ready to hear her idea.

"No, nothing like a party—that's too boring. I say we get... tattoos!"

I stifle a sigh, not eager to argue with her. She knows I've never planned on getting a tattoo, or piercing, or any type of body alteration in general. Not for any reason other than being a wuss when it comes to pain. The only piercings I have are the holes in my ears, and that's only because my mother insisted I get them when I was too young to remember. Looking back, I'm grateful.

"Okay, Maddie, we can definitely do that."

"Really?"

"Yeah! I'm thinking you can get a tattoo of my face right on your—"

"Whatever, Val. Can you at least think about it without letting the angel on your shoulder make every decision for you?" she says, her voice taunting.

As I walk down the busy streets of New York City, my mind wanders, contemplating Maddie's request. Would it be the worst thing to get a tattoo? I already have my hair dyed, but that didn't hurt. As I continue to evaluate her suggestion, I remember she's still on the phone.

"Hey, are you still there?"

"Depends—did you decide to get a tattoo?"

"I'll think about it, okay? I just got to my dad's, but I'll talk to you later."

"No, you'll see me later, remember? We have dinner plans with Lucas at that Italian place with the cute bartender."

Of course, I had forgotten, but I'm not about to let her know that.

"Yes, yes, I remember. I will SEE you and Lucas later."

"Okay, and don't think I forgot about the tattoo either!"

"Okay, Mads. Love you, bye."

"Bye, Angel."

I smile at the affectionate name she's taken to calling me in the two years we've been friends. Maddie was the first and best friend I made at Constantine School of Arts. It's a highly competitive arts school here in New York, and attending a private school most of my life didn't quite prepare me for it. I met Maddie in our ballet program. Even though she was initially intent on disliking me, somehow I eventually grew on her. We've been best friends ever since. Throughout the two years we've spent together, we've established a clear dynamic between us. Maddie is more brazen, outspoken, and usually the one coming up with all of our crazy ideas. That said, I wouldn't call myself a pushover. I like to think I'm just more reserved, and for lack of a better word, nicer. But then again, everyone seems like a pushover when facing Maddie.

I clear my head of these thoughts as I see my father's house come into view, preparing myself.

I love my dad, I really do. Ever since my mom's passing, it's been just me and him, and he's always done his best for me. Even so, he can still be... a lot. Every time I visit, it's a new production, with conversations swerving in every direction at the drop of a hat. It's honestly hard to keep up, but this time, I'm going there with a purpose and hope to get some answers from him.