She's Alright

CHAPTER 12

     Mars was very excited about this date, he texted me at nine in the morning with all the details which were  basically none. He really liked his secret dates. All he said is to be ready for him at twelve for a lunch date. I hadn't received any calls from my prospective jobs. I had just thrown all the food in my house in the trash and I plan on buying myself a cereal bar every day. Because I have no fucking self control. I headed over to my desk and opened up my laptop. For months I contemplated getting a tattoo. I had decided to spend what little cash I had on it- I know stupid, right? Spending a bunch of money on a tattoo was kind of pointless. But I really wanted one. I was thinking of getting a human heart on the side of my ribs. 

     I had looked up local parlors and various artists and I had been emailing one named Henry. My appointment was set for later in the day and I was hoping that maybe Mars would come along for moral support. After I was finished scrolling through his previous works one last time (because I am obsessed) I played some music and got to my routine. I added on one hundred more sit ups just to feel a better burn, which I did. By the end I just lay in bed, defeated and closed my eyes. 

     I woke up to the door bell ringing.

"Shit. Shit shit SHIT!" I exclaimed. My phone had so many texts from either Mars of Lamb. 

"Hey- is anyone in there?"

"Mars I'm so sorry I fell asleep!"

     "Ahaha oh my god Macy, ok you get ready, I'll just sit on your front doorstep until your done!" he hesitated, "Just don't take too long!" I threw on a light grey t-shirt and black pants with docs and an army jacket. I quickly put some makeup on as fast as possible-10 minutes- a record, then swung open the door. Mars stood up and turned around at the same time, tripping over his own feet and falling a bit down the stairs. He looked up at me with his goofy grin and said "Are you ready?"

     I nodded and followed him to the car. He took me to a little pizza place and we shared a margarita. Mars ate three pieces, and I cut my half a slice into little pieces and moved them around on my plate. He sang me a bit of his song and I loved it and I told him about my tattoo. Before I could even ask, Mars offered to go with me.

"Can I please take you? I really really  want to take you, I think tattoos are so cool."

"Yes you can come with me, I'm gonna need some freaking moral support."

"So what are you getting? Where are you getting it?"

"I'm gonna get a human heart on my ribcage." 

     He took another slice of pizza, folded it like a taco and shoveled it in his mouth. I smiled and played around with the cut up pizza. We asked each other a bunch of random things and got to know each other better. I found out that our favorite place to visit was this little record shop down town and we both made pros and cons lists when making big decisions. Throughout the lunch Mars ate eight slices of pizza in total and half a bag of fries. Then I got a text from Henry making sure I was coming at two. I texted him back yes and I made Mars split the bill and drive me over to the parlor. 

     When we arrived Henry looked up from his seat and smiled. He had short brown hair and two sleeves of tattoos, he wore big ray ban glasses and small black plugs. He had on a purple v-neck and black pants with all black converse. I sucked in a deep breath and smiled back, sensing I was nervous Mars rubbed my shoulders supportively. 

"Hi, Henry? I'm Macy."

"Hi Macy- Henry," He stood up and shook my hand. Mars introduced himself and we all sat down. Henry drew up my stencil and placed it in the position that I wanted and had my lay on my side. Mars held my hand the whole time and we talked and sang along to the music playing. It had been about an hour and we had a little while to go but I was holding on.

"You're a freaking trooper," Henry noted.

"My side is on fucking fire man."

"Just hold on," Mars comforted. I grit my teeth and waited another half hour, Henry wrapped it up told me how to take care of it and we were on our way. 

"I mean that wasn't so bad," I said in the car.

"I have nail imprints on my hand," he said as he shoved said hand in my face. My stomach was growling so I turned on the radio to mask the noise. 

"I had fun watching you get a fucking tattoo Mace."

"Awwww I had no fun, no thats a lie I'm so fucking happy right now." He stopped at my house and walked me to the door. I gave him a kiss and then dragged him inside. We sat on the couch and watched some Archer. I checked on my tattoo in the mirror constantly, I couldn't stop smiling. Mars looked around the house and smiled like he had a whole new little secret.

"Whats that face?" I asked.

"What face?"

"The stupid one your making right now."

"I feel all special, like I have been in your house now. I know what it looks like."

"What does it look like?"

"Kinda like you I guess, nice, neat- I don't know why but I kinda expected this grey and light blue scheme."

"Haha ok, thats not weird." He picked up a black book and starting flipping the pages.

"These are good," he said, and then I realized what that book actually was. It was my sketchbook. 

"Blaaahhhhh no stop get out ah, you butt." 

"Calm down these are pretty good Macy."

"No."

"Yes."

"Ugh, fuck you."

"Ok," he smiled. I laughed and he grabbed my arm and tried to lead me to the bedroom. But because he had never been in my house he was just wandering aimlessly.

"This door?"

"No."

"This one?"

"No."

"This one?"

"Yes man this one." Mars opened the door and led me to the bed.

     Later on, at around eight Mars went home and did my exercise routine. My tattoo stung a bit but I could deal with it. Afterword I took a long shower and got into my pajamas. I set my alarm and slipped into bed, almost immediately fell asleep. This day was so draining. It was hard to get through, even though I enjoyed my time I felt kind of numb, like I just felt as if I should feel those emotions but wasn't. I thought of this as I drifted off to sleep and felt a little bit scared of what was happening  to me.