Waiting

41

ADAM

I spent the next couple of days clearing my head out. Tori helped me get through a lot and I wanted to take time off to be a better man for her. The first thing on my agenda was, as silly as it may sound, to make friends.

The only sort of friend I had was Fred, but that ship sank a long time ago. I felt like I shouldn't have to change my lifestyle for a group of friends, but as Tori suggests I have to 'stop dressing like a zombie'. So, I took my time out last weekend to buy some new clothes and decided to start the day fresh with a Nike sweatshirt and adidas sweatpants.

As I walked down the hallway to class, I could feel a lot of beaming eyes on me. I kept glancing at my shirt, trying to see if I had anything on me. Right before I entered the room, I glanced at the nearest mirror and that's when I noticed it.

Tori left a huge lipstick stain on my cheek.

I chuckled to myself and didn't even bother covering it up. I walked into class smirking and sat at my usual seat in the back.

"Get any action last night?" Some kid next to me nudged me.

I turned to face him. His name was Jay, one of the more recent guys who arrived.

"What's up with you dude?"

"Leukemia" he shrugged. "I know that's not what you meant when you asked that. It's just easier telling people my condition so they have one less reason to judge me" he smiled.

I knew me and this guy were going to have a strong bond.

I smirked and continued to stare at the board. When I glanced at him, I noticed a tiny mark at the peak of his collar. His shirt was covering it up, but I was able to put two and two together.

Ol' boy had a tattoo.

A newbie and he's already a rebel. You see, for us patients with severe medical conditions were given a rule book. One of the main rules that was forbidden was for us to get tattoos. The excuse for that one was that our cells were already weak and tattoos were going to put us in a "health risk". So after class, I figured I'd get a fresh start to making a friend.

I was gonna get myself one too.

Even though we are back together, I know that Tori still questions my commitment towards her. Of course I'll man up, but it's just a step towards proving how much I want this.

"Yo Jay" I hollered.

"You ready man? I got a sick guy who'll tat you up for no more than $50. I'm telling you he's real legit."

To be honest, once he said no more than fifty my mind was already in.

"You got it" I laughed while giving him a fist pump.

We sneaked out from the back since the hallways were crowded and took an uber to the tattoo shop.

"So what kind of tattoo are you looking for?" He asked.

"I'm thinking about getting one for my girl and I." I smiled just thinking of being able to permanently call her my girl again. Man, I really did miss her. I should probably text her to let her know not to look for me.

"That's why I choose not to fall in love my man. That shit makes you go all soft. You're willing to get yourself a tattoo of a girl who you don't even know if you'll have a future with? I can't do it bro."

Thank goodness we arrived on time, otherwise I would've probably punched him in his throat.

I got out the car and slammed the door. I stormed into the parlor and sat on the chair. The tattoo artist looked at me in confusion of my sudden outburst. I took a deep breath to calm myself down.