A Different Form of Art

Chapter Two

Bradley POV

I gripped the man's arm, trying not to mess up. The cute florist across the street was outside fiddling with his displays, I had caught him staring at me several times the past couple of days. It was cute, really, he was cute. He always acted so flustered whenever he saw me staring back though. What am I even thinking? He's defiantly not into guys, no one in this town was.

I went back to focusing on the tattoo I was currently doing, instead of the brown haired boy outside.

Although, now that I think about it, why else would he be staring at me? I guess there's several reasons, really, but I like to hope that he maybe just maybe, he likes me.

Maybe he's not even nice, I told myself. But that wouldn't make sense, everyone who went into his shop always seemed happier going out than they did going in.

Focus, Bradley, you need to focus. I need to get him out of my mind, he's been invading my thoughts for weeks now, even before I saw him staring, I'd seen the gentle touch he had with his flowers and he's cute as hell, even though he's very tall, he seems sweet.

"Everything okay? You seem kinda distracted..." The man who I was giving a tattoo asked.

"Yeah, yeah, everything's fine. Sorry, just thinking I guess." I replied. I really needed to focus.

"Okay, well, it looks good so far. What's on your mind?" He asked.

"Well, just a lot of different things." I lied.

"You keep looking out the window," He said, turning around slightly to look and see if there was anything really worth noticing, "but all that seems to be out there is that florist, unless you're staring at him?" He said, with a questioning smile.

"Uhhh," was all I could muster up.

"Oh, okay then. Have you ever talked to him?" He asked.

I was surprised how calm he seemed, everyone I've told before that I like guys hasn't been this cool with it.

"No, no, I haven't. We just catch each other staring once in a while." I said, almost laughing at how stupid it sounded.

"Why don't you go talk to him then? Worst thing that could happen is that he doesn't feel the same, although, why else would he be staring at you all the time?" He said, smiling.

"I might just have to later," I said, "thanks for encouraging me, I really needed it, honestly." I was almost done with his tattoo, afterwards I think I'll head over and talk to him.

"Anytime, mate. I know how it is to find someone who really cares about you, I met my own girlfriend about two years ago, and every day is a true gift." He said.

"Wow, two years, that's some time. What's her name?" I asked.

"Tracey," He looked at his upper arm where, sure enough, there was another tattoo of her name, "we met at university, in chemistry. A few terrible science-related pick-up lines later, I scored a first date and we've been going strong since then." He said with a bright smile.

"Yeah, I've actually never really been in a relationship. I had a girlfriend for about a week when I was twelve, but pretty soon I discovered that I wasn't really into girls in general, and I haven't dated since then." I said, I couldn't believe that all had come out, it's not like me to open up to people I don't know, I'm usually very shy, especially around people I'm not familiar with.

"Ah, that makes sense. Everyone in this town seems straight, I was honestly surprised when you confessed so simply to being gay. I'm bisexual myself, in case you were wondering why I'm so accepting. I didn't know there was anyone else like me." He responded with.

So that's why, I thought to myself.

"Good to know I'm not the only one. And hopefully, we aren't either." I said, motioning to the flower ship, where the chocolate-haired boy had gone inside now. "I think I'm gonna go talk to him in a bit, after I collect my things from the back." I put down the tattoo machine and stood up.

"Wow, it looks amazing. Thanks so much." He said, admiring his new cross tattoo on his forearm.  He stood up to shake my hand and walked to the counter.

"Hey, I like your shirt. They're my favorite." I hadn't even noticed he had been wearing a Muse t-shirt.

"Thanks mate, they're mine too." He said, handing me his credit card.

After he had paid, I watched him walk out the door. I turned around to go grab my things so I could talk to the florist before I lost my courage.

"Heyyyy Brad. Where ya goin?" I ran into my boss on the way out.

"Oh, I don't have any appointments the rest of the day, so I was gonna head out early. Is that okay?" I asked.

"Well, I've got an appointment in about five minutes and we don't have anyone covering walk-ins right now, so would it be okay if you stayed until maybe 6:30 at least? Please? I hate making you stay, but I don't like making customers wait either." Damn it, I couldn't exactly say no to my boss. I'll just have to go see the florist later.