Try(ing too) Hard

Chapter 1

As soon as he said his Hello I began to wonder if i should throw this towel covered in throw up at him or hug him. I didn't choose quick enough to beat my brother who began asking him about the tour he was supposedly on. I squinted at him and then turned to go to the back room mumbling.

"Who the fuck does he think he is just walking into a fucking tattoo shop, no MY fucking tattoo shop if h-"

"Not your tattoo shop, ours."

I turned around as saw Rose who has a quite confused look on her face. I slouched over the counter and groaned.

"I wasn- I'm not ready to see or speak to him. Jesus, couldn't someone have warned me? Fuck."

I turned around and see him peaking at my direction while my brother talks to him. I slam the towel down and take a breath looking at Rose who nods in approval of my calming technique.

"Remember, he's just a human, a silly little boy to be exact."

Walking out the door I see a small smile appear on his face when he turned towards me which got me mad. You fucking dump me when you become famous and now you see me nearly two years later and you're trying to act all buddy buddy? Thank God I see Michael come from behind him which distracted me from slapping that smile off his face.

Michael: "Hey Qwin! It's been a while huh?"

Me: "Yeah it has. Nice to see you again. I see you changed your hair."

Calum: "You have no idea."

I looked at him and my smile faded then back to Michael.

Me: "I heard you also got some tattoos."

Michael: "Yeah actually i'm here to get another one too."

Calum: "Me too."

He was a persistant bastard. Trying so hard to get me to talk to him. I looked at my brother, who by the way is named Aydin (another beautifully ugly creation thanks to the parents), and told him i'd be doing Michaels and he could do the other one. I took Michael to my corner while Rose followed.

Me: " So do you know what you'd like or do you want me to show you some things."

Michael: "I know what i want I just don't know how i want it to look. It's text so if you have font samples that'd be great."

I nodded and turned around to get the book which, oh joy, was missing. Looking at Rose who seemed to have moved quite recently I moved past her to go to the front to get a new one. Behind the counter I take out two sample books. Before i leave to go back I see Calum walking over towards my direction which made me avoid eye contact which he forced when he bent down to grab it. Instead of ignoring it now I just allowed it.

Calum: "How've you been?"

Me: "Can't you use your 'power' and see it in my face?"

When we first started dating he'd always use this 'power' he said he had to be able to tell when i was lying about being ok which he got right everytime. As soon as i said that his smile went from giddy to slightly forced.

Calum: "So do you like this job? You get to work with all your friends."

Me: "I like it just as much as you like your job except I don't get to travel. I hate to be a downer I need to get to my 'job'"

Walking past him made me feel so much better. I confronted him (Slightly by force but hey i did it so hah) and I didn't hit him. Michael seemed to have been watching us the whole time and sat there with his lips pursed.

Michael: "Not so keen towards him are you?"

Me: "I don't think I ever really forgave him but that's not a problem because it doesn't matter to anyone."

After handing him the book of fonts I looked over my shoulder to see Calum hunched over the front desk swaying a little bit. He looked from over his shoulder and weakly smiled again, this time i did it back. I started to feel bad. I also started to feel my chest ache and my stomach quiver.

Michael: "I like this one, i think it will look nice with what i want."

Turning around I look at it and nod.

Me: "What did you want tattooed agian?"

Michael: "Forgivness brings happiness would be nice please."

At first i thought he was kidding but after we had a staring contest for a minute I took out the ink and started to prepare for the tattoo.