Voice. LH Au

5.0

Arden's POV

Hemmings 5:16
Do you think llamas know they're llamas?

Hemmings 5:17
If you think logically, they have to be aware that they're not human..

Hemmings 5:19
But Maybe the llama thinks it's a human in it's world..

My phone continued to buzz with incoming texts from Luke, making me giggle at his completely random attitude. Over the past few days I'd learned that not only was this boy outrageously tall, he also lacked a filter.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I learnt this sooner rather than later as this situation could've potentially been even more strange.

Sighing as my phone lit up once again, I wiped my hands onto my apron, placing my paintbrush down on the table next to me.

I had aquired a rapid boost of inspiration out of the blue recently, that had somehow subconsciously made me more happier than coffee does. ( I had previously deemed this to be impossible but I guess there's a life outside of coffee and Halsey after all)!

After eyeing the canvas in front of me for several minutes, my mind was a drift from the world. Light flecks of blue blanketed the canvas enticingly, as I gazed upon my new york skyline.

Serenity had to be a key part of my life, I thought as the soft blend of the city lights stared back at me. New York brought me peace-and god damn did I deserve it after everything I'd been through.

Snapping out of my daze, I quickly sent Luke the following message meaning only the nicest intentions from it:

Arden 5:22pm

Are you high?

Hemmings 5:23

God no. I'm just extremely bored.

Hemmings 5:24

And I may've drank like 1 beer but trust me I'm good. Im no lightweight

Hemmings 5:27

So tell me princess. Want to go on an adventure with me ?

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"S-so tell me Luke, why are w-we walking down a d-dark new york street at 7:00pm ?" I mumbled moving closer into his side. I had lived in this city for over 3 years but I've never really gone out late due to general anxiety of being stabbed, kidnapped etc.

Call me a hypochondriac but that's just how I was raised. Sue me.

Luke turned to face me slowly. The gleam of the dim street lights illuminating his face just enough so I could make out those damn blue eyes and same cocky smirk, he always seem to wear. He chucked lowly, pulling me into his side placing an arm around my shoulder.

I'm so glad it was dark as he couldn't see my cheeks flushing a bright crimson-hopefully ?

"I take it you don't go out much at night do you?" Luke replied squeezing my shoulder reassuringly. I shook my head lightly in response, forgetting for a second he couldn't see me.

"W-what can i s-say ? Im an artist! W-we don't go outside m-much." I giggled nervously.

"Touché princess. And to answer your earlier question we are going to a tattoo parlour to meet a friend of mine" he smiled warmly. Stopping to hold open the door to a rather run down parlour.

"Always the gentleman Luke" A tanned, muscular boy with dark tasseled hair smirked at Luke from behind the counter of the cramped room.

Despite the buildings rough exterior, I couldn't deny that on the inside the numerous artworks covering the walls were beautiful to say the least. Don't judge a book by its cover I guess.

"Cal how're you doing bro?" Luke smiled brightly bringing the boy I assume was called Calum, into a short bro hug.

"Oh almost forgot- this is Arden. Don't be a prick Cal, she's sort of shy" Luke uttered quickly gesturing to my presence which definitely did not fit with this entire vibe.

"H-hi did you draw these? T-they're all so amazing" I stumbled over my own words stupidly. This is a regular thing now i suppose. He smiled brightly and nodded his head proudly in response

"Thanks! Not many people really appreciate my work. So tell me how did Lukey boy land you?" Calum enquired tilting his head slightly. His words caused me to choke on my own saliva blindly, as Luke quickly intervened muttering quiet words to his kiwi friend.

Calum nodded his head in response to Luke, glancing at me briefly before leading Luke and I into a small back room where he began to prepare equipment. But not before whispering loudly :

"Good luck. I like this one" to Luke whose face remained emotionless. That didn't last long.
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"S-so when you said adventure, i-i wasn't e-expecting you to get a t-attoo!" I smiled lightly at an anxious looking Luke.

Poor kid, the needle hadn't even touched him yet and already his cocky facade was fading, leaving the remains of a feeble boy.

"He'd always meant to get this but always was too much of a pussy to actually go through with it" Calum said causing me and him to snicker.

As calum began working on Lukes anchor tattoo positioned on his shoulder blade. His face scrunched up in discomfort.

"Ah i-i was the s-same when I first got mine" I smiled thinking back to the day where my dad almost kicked me out of the house when he found out.

My words seemed to have surprised the two boys as they both looked up at me wide eyed.

"No way you've got a tattoo! Why didn't you tell me?" Luke yelled surprised. I'm not shocked everyone is usually. Perfectly innocent Arden has ink? Yes. Yes i do.

"I know I d-don't seem the type, b-but you better believe it. And i-ts not really something I tell p-people" I shrugged my shoulders in response. Unsurprisingly Luke continued to pry for details until finally i gave in.

Standing up, I rolled my tshirt up to my ribs where an intricate tree was spiraling up my ribcage.

"So skywalker, Better man up. I-i got this w-when i was 17 and I have the w-worst pain response ever" I smirked cockily tapping Lukes dimple twice with my hand, before leaning back into the uncomfortable plastic chair.

A few hours later Luke and I were left alone in the small room as calum went to get some forms. I smiled warmly at luke placing a hand onto his arm holding his hand in reassurance.

"I never thought that would hurt so much. I feel like I've just been dragged to new Jersey and back by my hands !" Luke groaned making me laugh.

"It looks b-beautiful though, so it was d-definitely worth it." I replied honestly admiring the art.

The tattoo not Luke. Despite having angel features.

"Just like you then. Thanks for coming with me tonight Ard, even though you kind of had to see me cry."