Bad Intentions

Chapter 8

Julian's POV

I wake to the sound of rain and a dip in my bed where Harry was sitting. I stretch out my fingertips, though I know I won't find him in the empty space. The last thing I remember of last night was falling asleep to the sound of Harry's voice as he tried to explain the difference between an action film and a thriller. I clung on to every lilt of his accent, feeling giddy everytime he laughed. I fell asleep too soon, and now he's gone. I fight my way out of the sheets and notice his car isn't at his house. All I can hope is that he'll be back soon.

I brew myself a pot of coffee and finish registering for a few online college classes.

Someone knocks on the door. I'm surprised to see Dominic standing in my doorway.

"Hey" I greet him.

"Hey" he copies and steps around me into my house. That's one thing him and Harry have in common.

"What're you doing here?" I try to ask casually as he stands in my kitchen.

"Actually, I wanted to see if I could take you out." He shrugs. I feel a weird feeling in my stomach, and he notices the uneasy look on my face.

"As friends" he rolls his eyes but his smile is brighter than anything I've ever seen. I pour him a cup of coffee while I debate my answer.

"Okay." I simply say. He looks at me a little shocked.

"I wasn't expecting you to say yes, especially since Harry has you on his leash." Dom says. I know he's saying it as a joke, but something about it irritates me.

"I'm not on his leash" I say defensively. Dominics eyes change from blue to dark silver.

"Good." He breathes. I feel uneasy around him, but I also want his friendship.

"Where do you want to go?" I ask to change the subject. His eyes return to brilliant blue.

"I know this place downtown. You'll like it" he takes my hand, and with that, we're off.
'~'~'
Dominic drives for an hour until we're in downtown London where everything looks fancy and expensive. I take in his tattoos and bright blue hair. His appearance is so out of place here.

Just when I think Dominic plans to go somewhere fancy, he turns down a street with very little lighting. The shops are hard to see through the rain and they look mysterious.

"We're here" Dominic gets out of the car and opens the passenger door for me. He holds his jacket over both of our heads as a makeshift umbrella. I can smell his cologne in the close proximity.

He leads me up the cobble stone steps of a tattoo parlor, and I think about waiting in the car when I see Harry's car parked under the street light. Suddenly the parlor looks more appealing...

I step cautiously through the door behind Dominic, dodging through the gypsies beads that are strewn from the ceiling. A small bell tinkles as the door shuts and all the fresh air is slurped out of the room. I unknowingly step closer to Dominic and he smiles down on me, the red lighting shining on his face. I hear somebody talking followed by the sharp zap of a tattoo gun. A few people laugh. One shouts. Dominic reaches for my hand as if he can sense that I might run at any moment. His long fingers don't fit in my hand, but they're warm. He leads me back to the tattoo room, where we weave our way through a group of about eight people before finding ourselves in the center.

Harry's eyes meet mine as he sits in the chair, a needle pricking his skin; permanently marking him with a design of black ink. I watch as words appear on the underside of his arm, though I'm too far to read them. He winces in pain, but quickely recovers himself. Only then does he see my hand in Dominics, and to my surprise, he seems unfazed.