Purpose | Josh Dun (ON HOLD)

Tattoos

His soft fingers interlaced with mine under the lunch table, igniting my stomach with thousands of butterflies. Josh and I had grown closer together in the past few days- both physically and emotionally. Ever since that night, we had grown more comfortable around each other. He stole a few kisses from me here and there and I was no longer hesitant around him. It was like there was an invisible rope between the two of us, pulling us closer and closer everyday.

It was Friday now, and Josh, Tyler and I were having lunch. Small talk drifted between us and the sounds of the bustling school cafeteria filled our ears.

"Hey Ty," Jenna said happily while walking around Tyler. She planted a kiss on his cheek before taking a seat next to him.

"Hey Jen," he said while bashfully looking at his girlfriend, "we're still on for dinner tonight, right?" Jenna's smile faltered at his question and her bright crystal eyes dimmed with sadness.

"I'm sorry, Ty, I can't tonight. I need to babysit my niece, Mercy. Maybe tomorrow?" Tyler sadly looked down at his tray of food upon hearing this. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him; he had been animatedly talking about his date with Jenna the entire week.

"It's okay, Jen. I understand," he gave her a reassuring smile and returned his attention back onto his food.

"I could babysit Mercy for you!" Josh volunteered excitedly. "That way you guys could go out on your date."

"Really? You'd do that?" Jenna asked with her eyebrows raised.

"Josh, you barely know how to make toast. How are you going to take care of a child?" Tyler asked his best friend.

"Elle could help me," he turned his head and looked at me expectedly, "Can you?" his lips were pouted and his brown eyes were filling with hope.

"Sure, J," I said with a small smile, "I'd love to help."

~🌟~

Mercy's tongue peaked out of her mouth in concentration as she pulled at Josh's tufts of hair. Josh was sitting in a chair and Mercy stood on a stool behind him. She was attempting to braid his hair, although I doubted a five-year-old would know how to braid hair. Her shirt matched Josh's pink hair and the ceiling fan illuminated her dark complexion. Jenna said that her older brother adopted Mercy a few years ago. She was a sweet little girl, with a kind heart and a sassy personality. Her smile could brighten anyone's day.

"All done!" She announced, throwing her little arms up in the air proudly. She stepped down from the stool and walked over to me.

"Ari, doesn't Joshie look beautiful?"

I stifled a laugh when I looked at Josh; he looked absolutely ridiculous. Random parts off his hair were tied together with rainbow hair bands and colorful clips and bows of all sizes were placed in his hair. Despite the atrocities that have been done to his hair, he was grinning like a fool.

"It looks great, sweetie. He's never looked better," I said, walking over to Josh and pecking his cheek. Instantly his cheeks heated up and a goofy grin was plastered across his face.

"Joshie!" she squealed. She jumped into his lap and threw her arms around his neck. "Can I put pretty tattoos on you?" Her eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Sure, Mercy, whatever you like," he smiled fondly down at her.

"Can we make cookies after?" She asked. Josh nodded in response before lifting Mercy up and setting her down on the floor.

Mercy quickly ran out of the room and into her bedroom. She returned moments later with a handful of temporary tattoos and a giant grin on her face.